BDS Internal Communications Volunteer Expert

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BDS Internal Communications Volunteer Expert

**This is being posted on behalf of the Mennonite Economic Development Associates**

Location of Assignment: Mbeya, Iringa, Morogoro, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Proposed Level of Effort: 6 weeks

Anticipated Start Date: June/July 2017

Objectives of the Assignment

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) are recruiting an Internal Communications Expert Volunteer to train service providers on internal communications best-practices for the Tanzania Feed the Future Enabling Growth through Investment and Enterprise (ENGINE) Program. The objective of this assignment is to assist Business Development Service providers (BDSPs) in Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya and Zanzibar to develop good internal communication systems, structures and qualified personnel, improving the quality and affordability of the Business Development Services (BDS) they offer to their small and medium enterprise (SME) clients.

Background

The Tanzania Enabling Growth through Investment and Enterprise Program (ENGINE) is a four-year USAID-funded Feed the Future activity awarded through the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) contracting mechanism, that aims to streamline and enhance many of the regulatory, informational and financial channels that encourage domestic and foreign investment in the southern mainland agricultural regions of Mbeya, Morogoro, and Iringa, and in Zanzibar.

ENGINE works at the district level, using a broad-based approach to engage with district Local Government Authorities, private sector associations, BDSPs, financial institutions and SMEs. The program’s activities are divided into three main components:

1. Implement policies for growth. Build the capacity of the private sector to effectively dialogue with the government to set the policy agenda and improve the capacity of the public sector to implement policies.

1. Equip businesses for growth. Strengthen SME capacity and foster the growth and capacity of a sustainable market for BDS in Tanzania.

1. Access to finance for growth. Broaden access to finance for SMEs, especially women and youth entrepreneurs and those working within agricultural value chains, to facilitate increased investment and growth.

Led by International Executive Service Corps (IESC), the ENGINE team includes partners MEDA, Diligent Consulting, and the International City Managers Association (ICMA). MEDA supports the development of the program’s BDS component and the crosscutting themes of Gender and Youth. Activities under this volunteer assignment will be coordinated through MEDA Home Office and the project Field Office.

Relevance

The efficiency of BDSPs is limited in the ENGINE Program targeted regions of Morogoro, Mbeya, Iringa and Zanzibar due to inadequate internal communications, human resource management, operating systems and procedures as confirmed by 43 BDSPs who were assessed in the four regions. These constraints hinder BDSPs’ ability to expand their clientele by offering new products and expanding their market. Lack of adequate human resource management systems has a negative impact on the quality of services delivered. Lack of efficient internal communication systems and operating procedures increase BDSPs’ operational costs and the prices of their services. With improved internal communications and human resource procedures, BDSPs will reduce their costs and offer more affordable, improved services to SMEs.

Tasks

The Expert Volunteer will complete the following tasks:

1. Attend an orientation meeting with ENGINE Program staff in Dar es Salaam.
2. Accompanied by relevant ENGINE staff, provide group training for BDSPs in Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya and Zanzibar, covering the following topics:
   1. Development, maintenance and review of internal communication policies, strategies, and procedures;
   2. Internal communication tools and systems;
   3. Development, maintenance and review of human resource policies and procedures;
   4. Human resource management tools and systems;
   5. Development and review of internal operational/administrative procedures;
   6. Internal operational/administrative tools and systems.
3. Assess and document the technical assistance needs concerning internal communication systems, human resource management and operational/ administrative procedures of selected BDSPs (up to 10 in the four targeted regions).
4. Assist the BDS Coordinator in each region to develop a follow-up plan for additional technical assistance, including coaching and mentoring in the above subjects, with selected 10 BDSPs.
5. Write a Final Report summarizing findings, conclusions and recommendations related to the assignment, as well as the challenges and recommended solutions.
6. Provide an exit debriefing to relevant ENGINE Program staff, including an overview of the assignment challenges and proposed solutions.

Deliverables The Expert Volunteer will submit the following deliverables:

1. Training materials (slides, handouts, tip sheets, etc.).
2. Minutes/notes of the meetings/training/assessments/plans described above in Tasks B, C and D.
3. Assessments developed with the regional BDS Coordinators (Task C above), as well as:
   1. Follow-up technical assistance plans for selected BDSPs (up to 10 in each of the targeted region). This could include further training, coaching or mentorship in the subjects covered above.

The Expert V olunteer will submit a Final Trip Report to the ENGINE Program that includes the following sections: A. Introduction; B. Methodology; C. Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations related to BDSPs group trainings in the four regions.

1. Discussion of assignment objectives and how they were met or why they were not met.

Additionally, the Expert Volunteer will provide an exit debriefing to relevant ENGINE Program staff (Task F above); complete the MEDA VVRS survey; and take part in an exit interview with MEDA Home Office.

Expert Volunteer Qualifications

The ideal BDS Product/ Service Design and Delivery Expert Volunteer will have the following skills and qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working with organizations on internal communication systems and human resource management. Knowledge and experience in working with training and consulting firms in developing countries, sub-Saharan Africa experience is strongly preferred;
• A proven track record in training and coaching with a focus on internal communications organizational development and human resource management.
• Experience and knowledge in internal management systems, including development of HR and operations policies;
• Knowledgeable about (or can quickly acquire the requisite level of knowledge) local labor and employment laws;
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, consultation, and facilitation;
• Well-developed writing skills in English and the ability to express one’s self clearly and concisely;

• University degree in business administration, organizational development, or another relevant field;
• Training skills, including participatory training in group settings. Training and consultation experience utilizing a translator or interpreter is an added plus;
• Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, mature, professional team player, who is a strong people person and communicator, with good inter-personal skills;
• Ability to address issues, challenges, questions, and concerns in a professional, respectful, logical, and timely manner;

• Works well in a multi-cultural setting;
• Good computer skills in MS Office.