Project SME Coordinator

Full Job Description

A SME coordinator is recruited to work in a team todeliver the organization project activities. He/she will be responsible for supportingthe implementation of project activities at field level in assigned provinces ofcentral highland regions, providing strategic advice and management support.The role entails intensive engagement with the project partners andstakeholders. The SME Coordinator is expected to work closely and perform thefollowing responsibilities but not limited to:

Project coordination:

• Develop activities, projects and provide strategic advice, focused on the engagement of the pepper private actors in Tanzania
  
• Work closely with partners /donors   to explore opportunities and develop activities/initiatives to support and address the issues of the pepper sector
  
• Facilitate and ensure the effective engagement and participation of companies in project activities
  
• Coordinate and undertake activities/events organized as specified in the project plan in collaboration with SMEs
  
• Support to organize meeting (content and logistics) with SMEs
  
• Facilitate/organize trade promotion events
  
• Work as team member to ensure the implementation of activities with partners at field level
  
• Knowledgeof various fundraising techniques and strategies, with a track record ofsuccessfully securing funds.
  
• Lead the thinking on improving business enabling environmentsfor small and medium enterprises (SME) in Tanzania
  
• Develop partnerships withothers financial intermediaries (banks and non-banks) to strengthen financialinfrastructures for SMEs, to develop training for SMEs, and to share knowledgeon best practices for banking for SMEs;
  
• Supervise the implementation of the SME  strategy and provide technical input on howto develop suitable SME financial products; and
  
• Identifying potential collaborating partners for researchon successful financing of SMEs and developing a leading knowledge database onSME financing solutions and best practice risk management strategies forsuccessful operations financing SMEs.
  
• Designing, implementing, monitoring, managing SMEoperations in all organization's activities
  
• Collaborating closely with other institutions to ensure complementarities and synergies in the development ofsuccessful SMEs in order to achieve overall strong developmental results andimpact;
  
• Acquiring knowledge through research, analysis ofperformance data, participation in think tanks and workshops and throughkeeping updated on the published literature on financing and developing SMEslending;
  
• Formulating proposals for mobilizing funding from variousdonors, foundations and partner banks, for implementing trainingprograms/seminars/events/initiatives targeting development and financing ofSMEs;
  
• Identifying existing financial products, designing newfinancial products and introducing new financial products to increase access tofinancing for SMEs and to meet their needs;
  
• Monitoring, supervising and reporting on ongoing SMEoperations; measuring and analyzing results, outcomes and impacts of the SMEoperations in organization's activities
  
•  Working on any other tasks assigned by the Program Manager.
  

Fundraising

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute fundraisingstrategies to secure financial resources for SME projects. Collaborate withmanagement to identify potential funding sources, such as grants, sponsorships,and partnerships.
  
• Grant Proposal Development: Write compelling grant proposalsand applications tailored to various funding opportunities. Ensure thatproposals align with the organization's mission and project objectives.
  
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain relationshipswith potential donors, sponsors, and partners. Engage in regular communicationto keep them informed of project progress and impact.
  
• Budget Management: Work in tandem with the finance team tocreate project budgets, ensuring that fundraising goals are aligned withbudgetary needs. Track and manage funds received and expenditures related tospecific projects.
  
• Reporting and Compliance: Prepare and submit grant reports,ensuring compliance with funding agreements. Provide accurate financial andprogrammatic reports to donors in a timely manner.
  
•  Diversification: Explore and implement a diversifiedapproach to fundraising, including crowdfunding, corporate sponsorships, anddonor engagement strategies.
  
•  Networking: Attend relevant events, conferences, andmeetings to build the organization's network within the fundraising and donorcommunity.
  
•  Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with partners tointegrate fundraising efforts with project plans. Ensure that funding isappropriately allocated to meet project requirements.
  
•  Impact Storytelling: Share success stories and outcomes offunded projects with donors and sponsors to demonstrate the positive impact oftheir support.
  

Reporting:

• Regular report and update to the Program Manager;
  
• Draft progress reports and thematic reports if required;
  

Stakeholder management:

• Act as focal point for regular communication and work with  SMEs and partners Mobilize support, investment and buy-in from public and private partners in the value chain, national and local governments etc
  

Communication:

• Contribute to the development of communication materials/publications for the project
  
• Provide input to proposal development
  
• Be responsible of regular communication with related stakeholders for the project plans and progress.
  

Monitoring & evaluation:

• Input for the project M&E system
  

•   Bachelor's degree in Business, ProjectManagement, or related field (Master's degree a plus).
  
• Proven experience in project coordination ormanagement, particularly in SME support.
  
• Excellent organizational and time managementskills.
  
• Strong communication and interpersonalabilities.
  
• Proficiency in project management tools andsoftware.
  
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
  
• Knowledge of SME challenges, opportunities, andtrends.
  
•    Certification in project management (e.g., PMP)is a plus.
  
• Passion for, knowledge of and experience in sustainability
  
• Spoken and written communication skills in Swahili (native) and English(fluent).
  
• Willingness to travel extensively to the rural regions