| Job Title: | Consultant – Village Savings and Loan Scheme (VSLA) |
| Company: | Self Help Africa |
| Location: | Sokoto and Kano State |
| Contract type: | Fixed term contract. |
| Reports to: | Project Manager |
| Organisation overview: | About Self Help Africa Self Help Africa (SHA) is an international development organization headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, dedicated to the vision of ‘Sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate.’ With nearly 50 years of experience in Africa, including over 20 years in Nigeria, SHA works to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality, and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based, and enterprise-focused approaches. In 2021, SHA merged with United Purpose (UP), doubling in size and expanding to 17 project countries. |
| Project description | SHA is partnering with the World Food Programme to implement the Strengthening Food Systems project (Youth in work). The project aims to strengthen food systems that promote increased value chain employment opportunities for the youth; sustaining and improving on-farm and off-farm job opportunities for 75,000 young women and young men engaged in the different nodes of sorghum, millet, soya bean, groundnut, and horticulture value chains. The project is focusing on capacity building interventions for existing enterprises, using this as an avenue to create employment opportunities for youth and women in Sokoto and Kano State. |
| Job Purpose: | The consultant will design, train Business Facilitators (BFs) on Digital Village Savings and Loan Schemes (VSLA), and support the implementation within the project LGAs of Kano and Sokoto States while ensuring that Business Facilitators are well equipped and knowledgeable to provide effective guidance to the participants with their financial resources. The consultant will provide technical expertise and hands-on support to facilitate the establishment, training, and operation of digital VSLAs in targeted communities, enabling them to access savings, credit, and investment opportunities. |
| Key Responsibilities: | Develop and deliver training programs for selected VSLA business facilitators and support the establishment and operation of digital VSLAs. Train BFs on financial literacy, savings culture, record-keeping, and loan management to ensure the effective functioning of the VSLAs. Provide ongoing mentorship and support to facilitators to ensure sustainability. Guide and monitor the formation of new digital VSLA groups in target communities and strengthen existing informal savings groups where applicable. Support in drafting constitutions and setting up operational guidelines for the digital VSLAs. Develop and submit comprehensive reports on the training activities, including success stories, challenges, and lessons learned. Document best practices and case studies for future replication in other communities. Design database for reporting savings and loan for easing documentation and reporting. |
| Knowledge and Experience Requirements | Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in economics, Finance, Development Studies, or a related field. A master’s degree is an advantage. At least 5 years of experience working in rural finance, microfinance, or savings group initiatives, with a focus on rural communities. Experience in setting up and managing digital VSLAs or similar community-based savings and lending schemes. Strong experience in training and capacity building for community groups, particularly women and youth. |
| Skills: | Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage and train diverse groups in rural settings. Strong knowledge of financial inclusion, savings group methodologies, and microfinance practices. Proficiency in project reporting, and documentation. Good understanding of gender and social inclusion in financial services. |
| Language: | Fluent in English; knowledge of Hausa or other local languages in Kano and Sokoto State is an added advantage. |
| Deliverables: | Develop and test digital VSLA model tailored for the local context. Develop training materials for VSLA facilitators and community groups. Formation and operationalization of digital VSLAs in target communities. Progress reports and final completion reports documenting lessons learned and best practices. |
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should submit a detailed proposal outlining their experience and approach to delivering the ToR, along with their CV and relevant qualifications to (Email: [email protected] )
The deadline for this application is 17th July 2025. You are advised to apply early, as applications will be treated on roll-in basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Documents relevant to this consultancy are available here.
All candidates offered a job with Self Help Africa will be expected to sign our Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. Specific roles may require Police/DBS/ [relevant police authority] vetting.
Self Help Africa strives to be an equal-opportunity employer.
