Job summary

The Program Officer will be responsible for providing technical support to projects implemented at branch level.

The role includes planning, directing, and coordinating project operations to ensure that deliverables are achieved in line with donor agreements, budgets, and timelines.

Duties and responsibilities

The Program Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Spearhead the implementation of project aspects as assigned by the Program Coordinator.
• Support periodic review of operational plans, work plans, activities, deliverables, and performance guidelines for the project.
• Market and promote HIH EA TZ, including its products and services.
• Manage members’ access to credit and partnerships with financial and microfinance institutions.
• Undertake frequent monitoring of members’ businesses, access to credit performance, disbursements, savings, and microfinance uptake to ensure performance aligns with organizational project targets.
• Monitor and analyze credit risks and provide advice on mitigation strategies.
• Lead and provide technical support in the implementation of project activities, including preparation of work plans and performance guidelines.
• Ensure program deliverables remain in focus, on track, and persistently pursued.
• Coordinate partnership initiatives with relevant national institutions, including government ministries and other donor-funded programs, to facilitate the delivery of practical expertise to members.
• Coordinate the implementation of HIH EA TZ project activities and all matters related to project operations.
• Support Branch Managers and branch staff in the advancement of members’ business development and success.
• Guide the actualization of project activities by HIH EA TZ members.
• Support the introduction of new and innovative methodologies into HIH EA TZ programs to improve support provided to members in business and development.
• Support the revision of HIH EA TZ training manuals to accommodate new methodologies, processes, technologies, and strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks for enterprise development activities.
• Support the development and periodic review of materials and documentation for HIH EA TZ project interventions in market knowledge and other areas as requested.
• Build the capacity of project staff to implement revised training manuals.
• Disseminate best practices and ensure wide adoption of effective methods and mechanisms for project activities among HIH EA TZ members.
• Coordinate activities for meetings and engagement with local leaders and stakeholders in project implementation areas.
• Make recommendations on innovations and the creation of products and services that fit specific areas and members based on needs analysis.
• Support proposal development and new projects at HIH EA TZ.
• Bring urgent issues and matters requiring attention to the Program Manager without delay.
• Develop and maintain strong and profitable relationships and networks with project stakeholders.
• Support the Program Manager in facilitating effective and impactful field visits for donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant forums, including government, community, and other stakeholder forums, whenever nominated.
• Maintain a network of peers and professional contacts for the exchange of ideas and information.
• Maintain good public relations and promote the visibility of HIH EA TZ’s work within project areas.
• Maintain relationships among field staff in collaboration with Branch Managers.
• Support Branch Managers in handling immediate staff issues in consultation with the Branch Manager.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications and specifications

Applicants should meet the following qualifications and requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following fields:
  • Community Development
  • Project Planning and Management
  • Business Administration
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Agri-business Management
  • Cooperatives Management and Entrepreneurship
  • Project Planning
  • Commerce
  • Other relevant disciplines
• Good understanding of the dynamics of local agroeconomic sectors, products, and markets.
• Good understanding of entrepreneurship and small-scale business creation.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and nurture partnerships.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, especially at community level.
• Good analytical skills with conceptual and practical understanding of peri-urban and rural development.
• Experience working with marginalized communities within the local context.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Strong report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong performance drive, initiative, and commitment to individual and team results.
• At least three years of working experience in the relevant field.
• Experience in a similar position involving adult engagement will be an added advantage.

• Spearhead the implementation of project aspects as assigned by the Program Coordinator.
• Support periodic review of operational plans, work plans, activities, deliverables, and performance guidelines for the project.
• Market and promote HIH EA TZ, including its products and services.
• Manage members’ access to credit and partnerships with financial and microfinance institutions.
• Undertake frequent monitoring of members’ businesses, access to credit performance, disbursements, savings, and microfinance uptake to ensure performance aligns with organizational project targets.
• Monitor and analyze credit risks and provide advice on mitigation strategies.
• Lead and provide technical support in the implementation of project activities, including preparation of work plans and performance guidelines.
• Ensure program deliverables remain in focus, on track, and persistently pursued.
• Coordinate partnership initiatives with relevant national institutions, including government ministries and other donor-funded programs, to facilitate the delivery of practical expertise to members.
• Coordinate the implementation of HIH EA TZ project activities and all matters related to project operations.
• Support Branch Managers and branch staff in the advancement of members’ business development and success.
• Guide the actualization of project activities by HIH EA TZ members.
• Support the introduction of new and innovative methodologies into HIH EA TZ programs to improve support provided to members in business and development.
• Support the revision of HIH EA TZ training manuals to accommodate new methodologies, processes, technologies, and strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks for enterprise development activities.
• Support the development and periodic review of materials and documentation for HIH EA TZ project interventions in market knowledge and other areas as requested.
• Build the capacity of project staff to implement revised training manuals.
• Disseminate best practices and ensure wide adoption of effective methods and mechanisms for project activities among HIH EA TZ members.
• Coordinate activities for meetings and engagement with local leaders and stakeholders in project implementation areas.
• Make recommendations on innovations and the creation of products and services that fit specific areas and members based on needs analysis.
• Support proposal development and new projects at HIH EA TZ.
• Bring urgent issues and matters requiring attention to the Program Manager without delay.
• Develop and maintain strong and profitable relationships and networks with project stakeholders.
• Support the Program Manager in facilitating effective and impactful field visits for donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant forums, including government, community, and other stakeholder forums, whenever nominated.
• Maintain a network of peers and professional contacts for the exchange of ideas and information.
• Maintain good public relations and promote the visibility of HIH EA TZ’s work within project areas.
• Maintain relationships among field staff in collaboration with Branch Managers.
• Support Branch Managers in handling immediate staff issues in consultation with the Branch Manager.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

• Good understanding of the dynamics of local agroeconomic sectors, products, and markets.
• Good understanding of entrepreneurship and small-scale business creation.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and nurture partnerships.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, especially at community level.
• Good analytical skills with conceptual and practical understanding of peri-urban and rural development.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Strong report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong performance drive, initiative, and commitment to individual and team results.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, Project Planning and Management, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Agri-business Management, Cooperatives Management and Entrepreneurship, Project Planning, Commerce, or other relevant disciplines.
• Experience working with marginalized communities within the local context.