Entry Level Technical Support Volunteer – Seeds
Job Title: Technical Support Volunteer
Organisation: Seeds
Duty Station: Uganda
About US:
Active since 2013, Seeds NGO was created in Switzerland with the aim of supporting development projects in developing countries, and more specifically in the Eastern Region of Uganda since 2014. The targeted projects are initiatives linked to microfinance and social enterprise. The projects can be grouped into 3 categories. The first and main activity of Seeds is the creation of Village Savings Loans Associations (VSLA). Secondly, Seeds is also supporting the creation of new and the improvement of already existing financial cooperatives. Finally, Seeds is also supporting small Income-Generating Activities (IGA) in the region.
Seeds’s methodology is centered around the principle of sustainability. As such, its projects are always implemented in coordination with a local partner community organisation, based in the area of implementation. By providing capacity-building as well as financial support, Seeds accompanies the projects until they reach complete autonomy. Seeds-NGO is divided between a team based in Europe and a field team based in Uganda. Both teams are composed of energetic and committed individuals working on a voluntary basis. However, the field team is coordinated by a national professional Projects Coordinator. He/She oversights and is responsible for the management, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all the projects in the field. In parallel, Seeds NGO is looking for a Technical Support Volunteer who can work closely with the Project Coordinator in the development of Seeds Credit Cooperative project in the Sironko District. He/She will travel frequently to selected villages (project sites) and is expected to also work closely with the team based in Europe, Seeds’s partner organisation in Uganda (N.E.W. Foundation), government officials, other national and International Volunteers who might come to the field for a certain period of time. He/She will work directly under Seeds Board of Directors.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Developing the necessary strategic planning for the Credit Cooperative
- Planning the necessary financial support for the development of the Credit Cooperative
- Implementing the necessary activities for the development of the Credit Cooperative
- Supervising the training given to the members of the Credit Cooperative and when possible procuring those training directly his/herself
- Be Seeds-NGO’s focal point with the Credit Cooperative with N.E.W. Foundation as well as with local government officials and community leaders, and as such ensure that all decisions and carried-out activities are taken and done with the approval of all actors.
- Monitoring and evaluating all activities carried out by Seeds field team of volunteers, N.E.W. Foundation as well as by the members of the Credit Cooperative themselves, whereas those activities are financed by Seeds or not.
- Supporting Seeds’s activities regarding other projects, especially regarding projects which also imply Credit Cooperatives.
- Making the payment of the different costs related to the project,
- Keeping clear and transparent financial records.
- Reporting to Seeds Board of Directors by maintaining regular direct contacts, through weekly calls and written reports.
- Reporting immediately to Seeds Board of Directors any critical issue regarding the field activities.
- Supporting Seeds team in Europe by communicating to them activity informations, including but not limited photographs, videos and data from the field in order to communicate to Seeds network and donors.
- Maintaining good and professional relations with N.E.W. Foundation, with the Credit Cooperative members as well as with local government officials.
- Planning and managing the work of international volunteers coming to the field and participating in this specific project.
- Assisting those volunteers with any technical support they might need to carry-out the assigned tasks.
- Other Activities as Required
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- At least a post-secondary degree or equivalent
- At least 2 years of experience in business development, and ideally in development of cooperative-type businesses.
- English fluency
- Capacity to work successfully across cultures
Reporting, Supervision and Performance Evaluation:
The Technical Support Volunteer will report directly to Seeds NGO’s Board of Directors with the particular emphasis with the specific Board member responsible for the field activities.
He/She will manage and work closely with the international volunteers coming to the field. He/She will work closely and in coordination with the Projects Coordinator regarding the development of Credit Cooperative project as well as other projects if required.
Performance will be evaluated by the Board member responsible for the field activities, in consultation with the rest of the Board of Directors.
Please note: As this is an unpaid position, the willingness and ability to work without remuneration is required. Seeds NGO is only able to support the Technical Support Volunteer with allowances for some of his/her costs of coming to Uganda and living while in position as well as for all the costs associated to the field activities. The candidates are also required to cover for their own insurance while in country.
How to Apply:
Please send you CV and motivation letter to:
hr@seeds-ngo.org
Deadline: 3rd December 2019