Deadline: 31-Jul-22
The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) invites applications from not-for-profit organizations and for-profit firms based in the Democratic Republic of Congo who have the expertise and experience to partner with USADF to provide technical assistance and support to grassroots community-based groups who are seeking or are recipients of funding from USADF in South Kivu Province.
USADF supports private businesses, farmers’ cooperatives, associations, and various community-based organizations, especially those reaching underserved rural communities and engaged in economic and social development activities. The Foundation launched its program in the DRC in 2017.
Objectives
- Build self-supporting, sustainable local community development agencies that provide technical assistance and support to grassroots groups.
- Establish strategic linkages with national and local governments, other donor agencies, and the local private sector to support sustainable grassroots development.
- Encourage the utilization of participatory development “best practices.”
Funding Information
- 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.
- The current portfolio in the DRC consists of 27 projects valued at USD $826,000 in South Kivu Province in the Agricultural Production and Marketing and Youth Entrepreneurship sectors.
Who they Fund?
USADF will provide funds to micro, small and medium enterprises and community-based groups in the DRC in diverse sectors, particularly those benefiting youth and women, to secure the technical, managerial, and marketing assistance they need to build internal capacity and enhance their impact and sustainability. Funding criteria emphasize the following principles:
- community participation and ownership;
- significant economic and social impact on low-income communities; and
- impact commensurate with the level of investment, sustainability, and potential for replication of the activity.
Qualifications
- Host country national required;
- 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 marginalized people and the design and implementation of selfhelp development activities, particularly in the South Kivu region; 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 ten (10) 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;
- Demonstrated experience in developing effective monitoring and evaluation systems, including measurable performance indicators and targets, and performance assessment;
- Demonstrated competency in utilizing computer-based financial analysis models (please specify), spreadsheets and word processing;
- Exposure to participatory development methodology;
- Ability to interact effectively with grassroots entities, government representatives at the national and local levels, NGO representatives, corporate sector leaders, and foreign donors;
- Familiarity with donor regulations and procedures, preferably those of USADF or other US Government agencies;
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively to impart effective financial management skills and services to a broad spectrum of colleagues and grantees;
- Availability to travel frequently within the South Kivu province on a regular basis; and
- Fluency in French and at least one or more local language(s) is required. High proficiency in the ability to read in English is strongly preferred.
For more information, visit https://www.usadf.gov/apply