USADF Community Development Institutions Program: Support to USADF Partner Organizations (Burundi)

Deadline: 28-May-23

USADF is seeking applications from qualified not-for-profit organizations and for-profit firms that have the core competencies and experience needed to assist small enterprises and community-based economic interest groups in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community-based enterprise development and expansion projects in Burundi.

USADF will award a one-year cooperative agreement grant, which may be renewable for up to five years of service depending on performance during each year of the cooperative agreement. The prospective Partner organization would be based in Bujumbura with frequent travel of key personnel in Burundi.

USADF believes that the strengthening of local development agencies is essential to promoting grassroots participation. USADF also has a corporate strategic goal to “expand local capacity to promote and support grassroots participatory development.”

Program Objectives

• Objective 1: Build self-supporting, sustainable local community development agencies that provide technical assistance and support to grassroots groups.
  • While grassroots groups are in the best position to identify problems they encounter in improving their economic and social status, they require assistance in developing and managing activities, particularly in formulating solutions to problems, designing project budgets, work plans and other technical components, monitoring and evaluation plans, and meeting acceptable accountability standards. An important objective of USADF is to help build sustainable indigenous capacity to provide assistance in these areas to grassroots groups. To this end, USADF helps local development organizations strengthen their technical, organizational, and fiscal capacity to effectively promote grassroots economic and social development.
  • Results to be Achieved
    • As a result of the partnership with USADF, the Partner organization’s capacity of the will be enhanced in the following areas:
      • utilization of participatory development methodologies (PDM);
      • community outreach and standing;
      • ability to counsel and nurture indigenous organizations in the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of their activities;
      • acquisition of specialized knowledge and expertise in key development issues of concern in Burundi;
      • ability to engage local consultants and experts to provide technical assistance and training for development activities;
    • Specific results to be achieved through the efforts of the Partner include the following:
      • strong project proposals (that include sound financial analysis) that meet the Foundation’s Project funding application requirements fully developed for USADF review;
      • improved grantee skills and resources as measured by successful implementation of project plans, including timely completion of activities and deliverables specified in the grant agreements and evidence of re-evaluating business plans as needed;
      • effective implementation of projects as demonstrated by a portfolio with the majority of grantees meeting or exceeding project targets;
      • improved efficiency and profitability of assisted small-scale enterprises and income generating activities;
• Objective 2: Establish strategic linkages with national and local governments, other donor agencies, and the local private sector to support sustainable grassroots development.
  • National and local governments, other donors, and the local private sector are often important stakeholders in USADF-funded activities. Applicants should discuss their ability to consult with and influence these important stakeholders.
  • Results to be Achieved
    • increased awareness by government, donors, and private sector entities of the socio-economic development opportunities at the grassroots and USADF’s role in supporting those opportunities;
    • increased public-private linkages in local development and appreciation by the private sector of its philanthropic role in local development and the returns to business of charitable giving, as demonstrated by an increase in funding or other support for small-scale, indigenous initiatives; and
    • expanded participation of grassroots entities in the private sector and national and local policy dialogue.
• Objective 3: Encourage the utilization of participatory development “best practices.”
  • Wider use of participatory development “best practices” is essential to empowering grassroots groups and helps them to find viable solutions to their problems. The Partner will take on a leadership role in promoting these “best practices.” The Partner will take on a leadership role with African governments and donors where possible.
  • Results to be Achieved
    • expanded and diversified resource base for community development activities;
    • increased utilization of local resources;
    • increased capacity for communities to leverage external funding;
    • increased level of volunteerism in the community; and
    • increased potential for community self-sufficiency in specific areas.

Type of Award

• USADF plans to make an award for one (1) year duration, which may be renewed annually for up to an additional four (4) years without competition, depending on performance during the initial year and each subsequent year of the cooperative agreement.

Activities

The Partner will assist grassroots groups and organizations by working collaboratively with such entities in the promotion, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of their projects. Program Activities will include the following:

• initiating and maintain contact with Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), other donors working with grassroots groups in Burundi, and relevant host government ministries and services; comparing best practices; sharing lessons learned; and coordinating assistance;
• gathering and maintaining information on the development opportunities in Burundi that are appropriate for support by USADF and other donors. This includes remaining current on the development activities and priorities of the broader development community in Burundi and reaching out to local communities and representatives of marginalized and underserved segments of the country’s population;
• preparing sector or value chain analyses to assist USADF applicants in developing and documenting the need and opportunity for proposed projects and to assist USADF grantees in executing approved projects;
• assisting grant applicants to design sustainable development projects placing particular emphasis on: development of long-term strategies; necessary analyses and feasibility studies to assess project viability; design of technical components, budgets, management and implementation plans; gathering baseline data; and assessing training needs;
• providing appropriate technical assistance and training to grassroots entities in the development and implementation of their activities;
• promoting cooperative principles and effective financial and administrative management practices and ethical values, including: transparency, separation of responsibilities, and equitable distribution of benefits;
• assisting grantees to assess the quality of work by prospective vendors and to achieve cost-savings in negotiating rates with prospective vendors;

Eligibility Criteria

• Program Coordinator
  • Host country national;
  • Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in management, business administration, agricultural economics, finance, developmental studies or other relevant field. Master’s Degree preferred. Will accept at least 10 years of relevant work experience in lieu of degree;
  • Knowledge of and experience working with underserved people and the design and implementation of selfhelp development activities, particularly in Burundi; five (5) or more years of work experience in project/program development, management, monitoring, evaluation, and financial analyses, related to income generation, small business development including agro business, community development or other self help development initiatives;
  • At least five (5) years of management experience in a role that required the ability to manage professional staff effectively and meet tight deadlines in a results-oriented organization;
  • A track record of working with grassroots groups to build effective and successful organizations;
  • Proficiency in financial analysis and business planning in support of micro and small enterprises and income generating projects;
  • Demonstrated experience preparing and analyzing business plans, profit/loss and cash flow analysis, and in using such instruments to make recommendations on providing assistance to enterprise development project participants;
  • Competency in organizational assessment and organizational development;
  • Demonstrated experience in preparing training plans;
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting management assessments and preparing organizational development plans;
  • Demonstrated ability to assist several development projects simultaneously;
• Project Development Officer
  • Host country national;
  • University degree in business administration, economics, agriculture, finance, community development or other relevant areas of development preferably at the master’s level; an MBA, or a high-level academic training in analysis and planning activities of SMEs would be an asset;
  • Five (5) or more years of professional experience in project development, program management, monitoring, evaluation and financial analysis, particularly related to small business development;
  • Demonstrated experience in developing, designing and implementing business development projects, including knowledge of the opportunities and challenges, particularly in rural Burundi;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively to impart effective skills and services to a broad spectrum of colleagues and grantees;
• Financial Officer
  • Host country national;
  • University degree in accounting, financial management or related business discipline, preferably at the master’s level, or CPA/CA equivalency;
  • Five (5) years or more of professional work experience in an accounting or financial management position;
  • Demonstrated skill and experience conducting financial analysis of projects;
  • Demonstrated ability to formulate and manage budgets, including maintenance of accounts, report generation, and account reconciliation;
• Monitoring and Remediation Officer
  • University degree in community development, adult education, management, economics, sociology or other relevant areas of development, preferably at the master’s level;
  • Three (3) years’ or more experience in the development, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of investments at the community level, preferably with programs that help grassroots groups in income generating activities or community development activities;
  • Experience in using and evaluating tools and techniques for data collection;
  • Experience in measuring socio-economic impacts;

For more information, visit USADF.