MESPT Regional Manager, Market Development Resource Officer, Value Chain Finance Officer, Credit Officer and Internal Audit Officer Job Vacancies in Kenya

Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust

Founders: The Government of Kenya and the European Union

Lead Partner: The Royal Danish Embassy, Nairobi

The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), is a Kenyan Organization whose Founders are the Government of Kenya and The European Union partnering with Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi (DANIDA).

MESPT provides wholesale loans to Microfinance Institutions, Saccos and FSAs (village banks).

MESPT also provides capacity building support to the loan and non-loan clients.

In addition, MESPT has a fully fledged Business Development Services (BDS), Department involved in the implementation of donor funded and other programmes.

In December 2010, the Royal Danish Embassy signed an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Kenya on Business Sector Programme Support Phase 2 (BSPS 2).

The development objective of the BSPS 2 Programme is to create employment in micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSME).

The programme has three components.

1. Improvement of the Business Environment
2. Competitiveness of MSMEs
3. Innovation and Piloting Green Energy

MESPT has been selected to implement component 2. The Competitiveness of MSMEs is designed to address competitiveness constraints of MSMEs in selected value chains in order to increase market access for Kenyan producers and enterprises, with particular emphasis on rural producers, women and youth.

Activities to achieve two of the six outputs of the component will be implemented by a newly created Regional Office of MESPT for Coast and Eastern parts of the country. MESPT has also taken over the operations of the Danida funded Agriculture Business Development (ABD), Programme that operates in the Coast province and lower parts of Eastern province.

In order to effectively implement the five year Business Sector Programme and to provide backstopping support to staff in the field, MESPT wishes to recruit the following 5 professionals who must be Kenya citizens.

1. Regional Manager – Coast and Eastern Region (Mombasa based)

Reporting to the CEO, the Regional Manager is expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:-

• Oversee and facilitate the implementation of activities under Output 3 and 4 of the Competitiveness of MSMEs component of the BSPS 2 Programme
• Facilitate the integration of previous ABD project activities into the MESPT organizational and conceptual set-up
• Organize the transfer of ABD assets, facilities and projects into MESPT structure
• Supervise the work of the County offices in Machakos, Kwale, Malindi and Taita Taveta, and the field offices in Matuu and Kwale.
• Develop relevant capacities of the staff in the Regional Office, the County Offices and field offices.
• Collect relevant monitoring data for outputs 3 and 4 and submit these to MESPT Head Office.
• Compile and submit financial and progress reports to MESPT Head Office in accordance with standard formats, schedules and procedures.
• Liaise on a regular basis with the Business Services and Credit Managers and relevant staff to ensure a synergetic implementation of all activities under the Competitiveness of MSMEs Component.
• Oversee the implementation of other MESPT activities to be implemented through the Regional Office.
• Develop a sustainability strategy for the new Regional Office
• Undertake all other activities assigned by the CEO.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• A Masters degree in agricultural development, NRM, Agriculture Economics, business administration, or similar relevant field of study.
• At least 8 years post Masters Degree qualification experience
• Previous work experience in donor-supported agricultural, business sector or other enterprise development programmes.
• Good knowledge of (and preferable working experience in the field of), value chain and BDS development
• Exceptionally high inter-personal and communication skills, team leading experience
• Comprehensive computer literacy

Behavioral Competencies

• Ability to plan, work and finalize assignments with minimum supervision and within the required deadlines
• Demonstrated excellent analytical skills
• Demonstrated high levels of initiative, autonomy, adaptability, maturity and sound judgment
• Demonstrated strong team management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and staff

2. Market Development Resource Officer - Nairobi based.

MESPT also wishes to recruit a Market Development Resource Officer.

Working under the supervision of the Business Services (BDS), Manager, the Market Development Resource officer will:-

• Act as the Secretary to and facilitator of the BDS Donor Coordination group in Kenya
• Maintain and develop the BDS resource website
• Facilitate the annual BDS donor conferences and other information sharing events
• Maintain close contact with all BDS/M4P programmes in Kenya, and work towards joint implementation and programming.
• Serve as a focal point for donors seeking to engage in market development support in Kenya
• Identify research needs, and facilitate necessary research and impact assessments, preferably joint assessments between different programmes,
• Develop and implement dissemination strategies for research results and lessons learnt
• Develop, in conjunction with members of the BDS Donor Coordination Group, concepts for systematic and sustainable market development training programmes in Kenya
• Plan and facilitate training and information sharing events for MESPT staff and board members
• Assist the BS Manager in the reporting and monitoring functions
• Conduct any other activities to foster information-sharing, cooperation among programmes and capacity development.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Degree in business administration, development economics, communication or similar field of study
• At least 5 years post qualification working experience
• Previous work experience with donor-supported development programme, preferably in business sector support
• Good knowledge of (and preferable working experience in the field of), value chain and BDS development
• Good overview of stakeholder and donor environment in Kenya
• High communication and writing skills
• Exceptionally high inter-personal communication skills
• Comprehensive computer literacy, in particular expertise in webpage and database maintenance

3. Value Chain Finance Officer- Mombasa based

Reporting to the General Manager, Credit Operations, the successful candidate will be responsible for the value chain lending portfolio of the Financial Services (Credit) Department of MESPT.

Specifically the applicant will be required to:-

• Process loan applications from financial intermediaries
• Carry out detailed appraisal of loan applications
• Prepare appraisal reports for consideration by the Credit Committee
• Oversee the disbursement of approved loans
• Ensure recoveries are done on a timely basis
• Assist with regular monitoring of approved projects
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on performance of the portfolio
• Develop financial products in consultation with partner MFIs, Saccos and FSAs
• Foster and maintain business relationships with clients and other stakeholders
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned

Required skills and experience

The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications:-

• Age between 30 to 40 years
• A degree in Business related field, Economics, Finance, Agri-business or other relevant field
• At least 6 years lending experience with busy financial institution preferably a bank or microfinance organisation
• Working experience and good understanding of value chain finance preferably in the agriculture and agri-business sector
• Good assessment, analytical and report writing skills
• Good inter-personal and communications skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft office packages

4. Senior Credit Officer - SMEs - Nairobi based

Reporting to the General Manager, Credit Operations, the successful candidate will be responsible for the SME lending portfolio of the Financial Services (Credit) Department of MESPT. Initially, the successful candidate will assist in setting up the SME lending unit of MESPT.

Specifically, the applicant will be required to:-

• Process loan applications from SMEs
• Carry out detailed appraisal of loan applications
• Prepare appraisal reports for consideration by the Credit Committee
• Oversee the disbursement of approved loans
• Ensure that recoveries are done on a timely basis.
• Assist with regular monitoring of approved projects.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on performance of the portfolio.
• Foster and maintain business relationships with clients, and other stakeholders
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required skills and experience.

The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications:-

• Age between 30 to 40 years
• A degree in Business related field, Economics, Finance or other relevant field
• At least 6 years lending experience with a busy financial institution preferably a bank
• Working experience and good understanding of the SME sector.
• Good assessment, analytical and report writing skills
• Good inter personal and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft office packages

5. Internal Audit Officer- Nairobi based

The Internal Audit function in MESPT has hitherto been outsourced.

Due to the taking over of the ABD Programme in the Coast and Eastern Provinces, MESPT has resolved to employ a full time Internal Audit Officer. The internal Audit Officer will report to the Risk and Audit Committee of the Board.

Duties and responsibilities

• To plan, organise and carry out the internal audit function in Nairobi, County Offices, and the Field Offices and client Projects
• To coordinate with the external auditors and ensure that each party is not only aware of the other’s work but also well briefed on areas of concern.
• To make recommendations on the systems and procedures being reviewed, report on the findings and recommendations and monitor management’s response and implementation
• Ensure that all major risks of the Trust are identified, analysed and strategies to mitigate them put in place
• To review and report on the accuracy, timeliness and relevance of the financial and other information
• To provide both management and the Risk and Audit committee with an opinion on the internal controls in the organisation.
• Prepare of an internal audit plan which fulfils the requirements of MESPT
• Audit the utilization of donor funds disbursed to various projects.
• To conduct any reviews or tasks requested by Trustees and the Risk and Audit Committee.

Required skills and Experience.

• A University degree in any Business related field from a reputable University.
• Be a fully qualified Accountant (CPA or equivalent).
• Be a member of ICPAK or such professional body.
• Have at least 3 years experience in carrying out internal audit function in a financial institution, NGO or donor funded programmes.
• Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.

The detailed job descriptions for the posts are available on the MESPT websites indicated below.

Qualified Candidates interested in any of the vacancies should send their applications by Post, hand delivery or Courier to be received by close of business on Friday, 2nd September 2011.

Email applications will not be accepted.

The applications should include: Detailed CV, email address, daytime telephone contacts, current and expected remuneration package, names and email contacts of three referees and the academic certificates and other testimonials to the following address:

The Chief Executive Officer
Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT)
2nd Floor, Vision Tower, Muthithi Road, Westlands
P. O. Box 187, Sarit Centre 00606, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel.3746354, 3746764, 3749942 Fax 3746764
Cell phones: 0722 207905 and 0735 333154

Websites: www.microfinancetrust.org and www.mespt.org

Applications that do not provide the requested information will be rejected.

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Those who do not hear from us by 16/09/11 should consider their applications unsuccessful.

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