Community Development Institutions Program: Support to USADF Partner Organizations in Senegal

The United States African Development Foundation (“USADF”) has established the Community Development Institutions Program (“Program”) to assist local development institutions to strengthen their capacity to support community-based and other activities that benefit the underserved.  Under the Program, USADF and a local development agency (“Partner”) enter into a cooperative agreement that provides direct support to the Partner to: a) build its capacity; and b) provide support to grassroots entities who are seeking or who are recipients of grant funds from USADF (“Grant Applicants/Grantees”). USADF is requesting applications from potential Partner organizations that have the expertise and experience to provide technical assistance and project implementation and management support to USADF Grant Applicants/Grantees.

Program Objectives

• Objective 1: Build self-supporting, sustainable local community development agencies that provide technical assistance and support to grassroots groups.
  • Results to be Achieved
    • utilization of participatory development methodologies (PDM);
    • community outreach and standing;
    • ability to counsel and nurture indigenous organizations in the planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of their activities;
    • acquisition of specialized knowledge and expertise in key development issues of concern in Senegal;
• Objective 2: Establish strategic linkages with national and local governments, other donor agencies, and the local private sector to support sustainable grassroots development.
  • Results to be Achieved
    • increased awareness by government, donors, and private sector entities of the socio-economic development opportunities at the grassroots and USADF’s role in supporting those opportunities;
    • increased public-private linkages in local development and appreciation by the private sector of its philanthropic role in local development and the returns to business of charitable giving, as demonstrated by an increase in funding or other support for small-scale, indigenous initiatives; and
    • expanded participation of grassroots entities in the private sector and national and local policy dialogue
• Objective 3: Encourage the utilization of participatory development “best practices.”
  • Results to be Achieved
    • expanded and diversified resource base for community development activities;
    • increased utilization of local resources;
    • increased capacity for communities to leverage external funding;
    • increased level of volunteerism in the community; and
    • increased potential for community self-sufficiency in specific areas

Program Activities

• initiating and maintain contact with Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), other donors working with grassroots groups in Senegal, and relevant host government ministries and services; comparing best practices; sharing lessons learned; and coordinating assistance;
• gathering and maintaining information on the development opportunities in Senegal that are appropriate for support by USADF and other donors. This includes remaining current on the development activities and priorities of the broader development community in Senegal and reaching out to local communities and representatives of marginalized and underserved segments of the country’s population;
• preparing sector or value chain analyses to assist USADF applicants in developing and documenting the need and opportunity for proposed projects and to assist USADF grantees in executing approved projects;
• assisting grant applicants to design sustainable development projects placing particular emphasis on: development of long-term strategies; necessary analyses and feasibility studies to assess project viability; design of technical components, budgets, management and implementation plans; gathering baseline data; and assessing training needs;
• providing appropriate technical assistance and training to grassroots entities in the development and implementation of their activities;

Core experiences/competencies required to serve as USADF Partner in Senegal: Applicants must have experience providing technical assistance and training, and possess strong skills in organizational and financial management, business development, marketing analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and production and planning. It is imperative that applicants for the position are familiar with participatory development methods and have the ability to work with grassroots groups to help them develop and implement their own business strategies. Experience working with and providing technical assistance and training to early-stage, start-up enterprises and organizations is essential.

Duration: USADF anticipates awarding one renewable 12-month cooperative agreement for a total possible length of five years.

Who they fund?

• Such an organization would be eligible to apply if it was legally registered in Senegal and all its principals and executive board members were Senegalese citizens.
• USADF will provide funds to micro, small and medium enterprises and community-based groups in Senegal 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

• Program Coordinator
  • Host country national required;
  • 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;
• Project Development Officer
  • Five (5) or more years of professional experience in project development, program management, monitoring, evaluation and financial analysis, particularly related to small business development;
  • Demonstrated experience in developing, designing and implementing business development projects, including knowledge of the opportunities and challenges, particularly Senegal;
  • Knowledge of participatory development, including participatory research, with some experience of methods;
  • Demonstrate experience in preparing training plans, system of monitoring and evaluation, including performance indicators and measurable targets, and performance evaluation;
• Financial Officer
  • Five (5) years or more of professional work experience in an accounting or financial management position;
  • Demonstrated skill and experience conducting financial analysis of projects;
  • Demonstrated ability to formulate and manage budgets, including maintenance of accounts, report generation, and account reconciliation;
  • Demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of grassroots groups, including training and assisting with bookkeeping and timely submission of financial reports.

For more information, visit USADF.