| Kate's job description from VSO: Micro Credit Officer at Social Development Fund |
| Purpose or aim of volunteer placement: To contribute to reducing poverty in The Gambia by increasing access to social and economic opportunities for the poor and vulnerable (women, children, those with disabilities) and to strengthen the capacities of grassroots and local institutions to effectively design and execute micro projects and policy implementation. Background information (history, status, staffing, management style, structure) The Gambia Social Development Fund (SDF) was institutionalised in February 1998. SDF is an autonomous charitable organisation designed to work with Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Micro-finance Institutions (MFIs) and Public Service Institutions in support of initiating and implementing micro projects and capacity building interventions to help alleviate poverty in The Gambia. SDF uses a participatory demand driven approach as its main intervention strategy in channelling resources to the poor. Target beneficiaries are encouraged to fully participate in the identification, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of micro projects geared towards addressing their needs and concerns. SDF has a Board of Directors and a Fund Management Team (FMT). The Board is responsible for providing guidance on programme-related operational issues. The FMT, under the direct supervision of the Fund manager is responsible for the day to day management and administration of SDF programme activities. The Board is made up of the SPACO (Strategy for poverty alleviation co-ordinating office) Co-ordinator, the Fund Manager, the Director of Community Development, the Exec Director of the Women's Bureau, the Exec Director of TANGO (the association of NGOs), the Permanent Secretary of the Dept of State for Finance and an invited Distinguished Gambian Personality. The FMT headed by the Fund Manager, Dr Yero Baldeh, comprises staff at the central and divisional levels. At central level, where the volunteer will be based, there are five professionals: the fund manager, a financial controller, an outreach and monitoring officer, a micro-finance officer and a community development officer. The volunteer will form a part of this team. It is planned to establish 5 divisional programme offices each staffed with a Divisional Fund Officer to undertake day-to-day management at divisional level. The seed finances of the SDF has been provided through a loan from the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Government of The Gambia for an initial 4 year period. However the continuity of support is "highly envisaged from other donors interested in the alleviation of poverty in The Gambia." The SDF provides services through 4 main units: The Outreach and Monitoring Unit The Social Services and Capacity Building Unit The Micro-finance Unit The Programme Implementation and Co-ordination Unit. The Outreach and Monitoring Unit is headed by Mr Kebba Simma, who is one of the people the volunteer will be working closely with. The unit disseminates project information and educates potential beneficiaries and development partners on the aims and objectives of the SDF, who the target beneficiaries are, programme coverage, areas of intervention, the availability of resources and modalities of accessing funds. This unit also monitors project activities, conducts periodic assessment of the impact of micro projects on target beneficiaries and study changes on poverty situation in the country. The Social Services and Capacity Building Unit is headed by Mrs Yamundow Jagne, a Community Development Officer. This unit supports on a grant basis, small scale community based micro projects aimed at enhancing access of the poor to basic services and collective social and economic opportunities. Training and institutional development interventions to strengthen the capacities of grassroots institutions is also supported by this unit. The Micro Finance Unit is headed by Mr Mohamed Jammeh who is the other person the volunteer will be working closely with. This unit supports MFIs through technical assistance and provision of resources for on-lending to individuals to undertake income generating ventures. Training and institutional development interventions are also supported to strenghen the capacities of the MFIs to mobilise savings from their members, provide credit to the poor and develop their network. The Programme Implementation and Co-ordination Unit is headed by Alasana Jeteh. This unit supports the establishment of the FMT at central and divisional levels and strengthens the capacity of SPACO to supervise overall programme implementation and effectively co-ordinate all Strategy for Poverty Alleviation activities. Resources (including funding, finances, facilities and equipment) Funding for 4 years is through the ADF and the Gambia Government as detailed above. After this funding must be sourced from donors. The office is small and functionally equipped. There are fax, e-mail, photocopy and computers. As detailed above, the volunteer will join the team of four unit heads as an equal and like them will be responsible to the Fund Manager, Dr Yero Baldeh. Objectives for the VSO at SDF Objective 1: In collaboration with SDF staff, to have assessed the needs of the organisation in the Micro-Finance Unit and the Outreach and Monitoring Office and determined a relevant plan of support-work for the 6 month placement. Indicators: The plan has been designed and agreed and has been used as a basis for the 6 month placement. Objective 2. The officers of the two designated units will have been supported in terms of skills development in order that they are confident and capable of managing the units without volunteer support. Indicators: An assessment of 'training needs' will have been completed; Appropriate training / support will have taken place and be evaluated positively; those trained feel confident to carry on with this work once the volunteer has gone. Objective 3. The systems of the two units will have been assessed and recommendations for future developments made; certain agreed system development will have taken place and these systems will be in use effectively. Indicators: Assessment and recommendations report produced. Particular systems will have been developed and are operational. Objective 4. To have participated in the implementation of the activities of the two units. Indicators: Designated activities have been carried out and reported on. In this placement you will be involved in sharing skills and building capabilities in various ways. Your professional financial and business skills will be shared directly with the two designated Unit staff and potentially with MFIs and even specific beneficiaries. It is not only your professional skills (Formal) however that will affect your experience in The Gambia, but also those skills which are Informal. It is necessary to recognise however, that for you to be able to share both these formal and informal skills, certain others are also necessary. For example, you need to be able to: advise without appearing arrogant; help others understand without making them feel dictated to; encourage and motivate people so that they are keen to work on any new developments; find ways to include everyone and to build a sense of working together; avoid being dominant and imposing your views; assuming a certain way of doing something is the only way; be diplomatic and respectful of management structures and lines of authority; be tolerant by showing patience, even if you do not feel it; listen actively and negotiate supportively; and finally, take time to understand the local context and work practices. See pictures of SDF [Coming Soon] See Kate's Microcredit Success Brochure for SDF See Pictures of Kate working upcountry for SDF |
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