Our partner is a social enterprise based in Shinyanga in rural north-western Tanzania. It was set up as an agricultural program by an NGO based in the Netherlands. It aims to create sustainable change in the lives of children in rural areas by combining social business, civic driven change and investing in children’s safety. In the same areas it implements projects around skillful parenting and safe water.
It is a young enterprise which has experienced a steep learning curve in business management and accounting. It has a further need for support to optimise its processes and procedures. So far the following areas for improvements were identified:
- Credit management; it uses a Credit Management System for its business in Kenya. They are in the process of selecting a system that can be used by staff in both Kenya and Tanzania. In the coming quarters they will conclude on the final solution and start preparing the implementation. This requires support on defining the processes and workflows on credit management.
- Logistic processes; our partner needs to become more efficient in its distribution to the farmers. Components that play a role in the distribution process are local CBOs/farmer groups, relatively long distances to travel and sister companies buying sunflower seeds from the same farmers. Our partner has a need for support to optimise its processes around the distribution.
- Business model; the core business model is buying and selling seeds. So far, margins have been relatively low and losses on inventory and credits were too high. Our partner needs support to work on its margins and operating expenses.
Last year a first volunteer assessed the business model and capacity to cope with the challenges it faces to become a mature, profitable company. This new assignment will build on the assessment done last year.
The volunteer will be supported from the Netherlands, where the finance team is strongly involved in the optimisation of the systems and procedures.
In Shinyanga the volunteer will work closely with the local controller and general manager. During the assignment the volunteer will also get involved with the rest of the team, of approximately 10 staff.
Our partner is looking for an experienced finance professional who can contribute to the three areas of improvements identified. Ideally a volunteer would be able to commit for an assignment of 3 months, though a shorter period is a possibility. The volunteer can start any time between now and July. Accommodation and visa costs will be paid for by the partner.
This role will be suited to someone with business/commercial experience.
Please note that overseas assignments, in this case Tanzania, will incur a placement fee as per the AfID Tailored Volunteer Programme fee scale (see our FAQS for more information).
Be bold – volunteer! Please send your CV to info@afid.org.uk or contact us on +44 (0) 208 741 7000. Please forward our details to any accountants in your network that you think would be interested in our work.
