Background:

The Cotton On Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Cotton On Group. Cotton On Group is a retail clothing company that was established in 1991 by Nigel Austin and has a retail footprint of over 1,000 stores globally.

The Cotton On Foundation is part of the Cotton On Group’s identity; it is a central part of who we are and was officially established in 2007. We believe in helping others and contributing to our community. We roll up our sleeves and set our sights on creating positive and measurable change in the lives of young people in need.

The Cotton On Foundation raises funds for projects in partnership with our customers. Our customers, employees and supporters ARE the Foundation. The Foundation currently has projects in Rakai and Lwengo districts with plans to expand into other areas in Southern Uganda.

OUR PURPOSE:

We invest and take action to inspire lasting positive change with limitless possibilities.

OUR VISION

To empower youth, mobilise communities and build futures.

For more information about Cotton On Foundation, please visit, www.cottononfoundation.org

Cotton On Foundation has been working in Mannya and Busibo and surrounding villages in Rakai and Lwengo districts for more than five years. As part of its community development projects, Cotton On Foundation supported the establishment and operations of Mannya Parish SACCO (MAPSACCO) and Busibo Women’s Development Microfinance Association. The support provided included but not limited to office space & equipment, initial loan capital and payment of staff salaries among others.

Rational for the capacity assessment of the SACCOs in Mannya and Busibo

In Uganda, savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) act as financial intermediaries, channeling savings into loans and providing saving opportunities for the poor, especially in the rural areas. We have seen this in our supported SACCOs in Southern Uganda where the communities are benefitting from accessible and affordable financial services that are helping them to educate their children, establish small businesses, and improve on their housing and agricultural practice among other economic activities.

However, in order to guide our future partnership with the SACCOs in Mannya and Busibo, we would like to conduct an assessment that will identify areas for further improvement in order to make the services of the SACCOs more efficient and sustainable. The assessment will cover, among other things, key issues like;

ü history of Cotton On Foundation Uganda’s partnership with the SACCOs,

ü Microfinance business model (viability for Ugandan financial and social needs),

ü compliance with regulatory frameworks for rural finance & microfinance institutions,

ü loan portfolio management,

ü savings management,

ü governance & management (Constitution, AGM, BOD, Staffs, etc) and

ü general finance management (banking, audits, petty cash management, record keeping, etc),

ü assets & inventory management and other key partners working with the SACCOs.

ü Surveying existing clients (client profiles, SACCO products on high demand & why, client feedback on areas for improvement, etc)

ü Risk management

ü Data collection software and analysis for decision making

ü Expansion and growth potential

ü Competition

ü Market penetration

The findings and recommendations from the assessment will guide Cotton On Foundation Uganda and indeed the SACCOs themselves to implement actions that will enhance their capacity to operate financial services that are more efficient and sustainable.

Key tasks of the consultancy

· Develop a comprehensive tool for the assessment of Mannya and Busibo SACCOs in Rakai and Lwengo districts respectively.

· Conduct an inception meeting with Cotton On Foundation Uganda management to ensure similar understanding of the assignment.

· Assess the SACCOs in Mannya and Busibo.

· Draft a report of the assessment with clear findings and recommendations for action.

· Disseminate the findings of the assessment to Cotton On Foundation Uganda management and the management of the SACCOs.

· Produce a final report.

Expected outputs from the Consultancy

· A concise report of findings and recommendations that is presented in a way which is easily interpreted with actionable items time-lined to form a basic road map for Mannya and Busibo SACCOs.

Consultant Specifications:

· Consultants with Postgraduate training in Community Development, Development Studies and Financial Management;

· Experience in designing and managing SACCOs or rural microfinance institutions in Uganda is a MUST.

· Willingness to travel to field locations in Rakai and Lwengo to conduct the assessment.

· Availability to complete the task within 15 working days (or a maximum of one calendar month) from the date of offer.

Interested Consultants should submit a Cover letter, CVs of involved consultants (not more than 2 persons), detailed work schedule (15 working days or less) and financial proposal (in UGX) to Uganda@cottononfoundation.org not later than November 17 2014, 2:00Pm.

Due to the urgency of the assignment, the selected institution must be ready to start work within 2 weeks. Due to the context specific nature of the assignment, Firms or Practitioners based in Uganda will be given first priority.

Job Title: Logistics Officer

Main Role:
The main role of the Logistics Officer is to provide cost effective and efficient delivery of office services and supplies necessary to ensure execution of company business strategy and plan by head office and branches

Key Result Areas Include;
Procurement, inventory management, distribution of office supplies, management of supplier contracts and service level agreements, management of administrative costs, and compliance with company procurement policy

Minimum Requirements:
a bachelors degree in procurement, business management, commerce or related field.At least 3 years experience in procurement or administrative functionStrong negotiation, analytical and relational skillsHow to Apply:
Applications including a motivation letter,CV, copies of academic/ professional certificates and testimonials should be addressed to:

The Head of Human Resources
Pearl Microfinance Ltd,
Plot 220, Kalerwe Gayaza Rd
P.O Box 36257, Kampala, Uganda.

Deadline: 4th Oct 2012

The Microfinance Support Centre Limited (MSC) is a Government of Uganda (GOU) owned company. MSC was incorporated in 2001 as a company limited by guarantee. It is the linchpin of GOU microcredit programmes under Rural Financial Services Strategy (RFSS).

The RFSS is a component of the Prosperity for All programs [PFA].

MSC offers affordable financial services with a goal to maximize outreach and deliver demand driven credit. The credit is offered through loan funds and loan products that support the agricultural production value chain namely; production, value addition and marketing. The company also offers business development services with a goal to assist her clients upgrade their capacities to manage their businesses profitably.

In order to implement its role under the RFSS the company has adopted a decentralised approach to deliver financial services to all areas of Uganda.

The company operates throughout the country with zonal offices located in the following areas; Arua, Mbarara, Kabale, Masaka, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Kabarole, Hoima, Gulu and Kampala. Each Zonal Office serves a cluster of Districts.

The Company seeks to recruit suitable persons to fill the following vacant positions in its establishment.

1. Head Internal Audit – Level 2 (01 Post)
JOB PURPOSE: Responsible for the provision of prudent internal audit coverage to all elements of the Company including its clients plus management and coordination of all internal audit work.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director for administrative purposes and to the Board of Directors for technical purposes.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
1. Prepare the annual audit plans for the Company and ensure that audit systems of partner organisations are adequate and in place;
2. Manage the audit function and prepare recommendations to improve financial management and control to the Board;
3. Assess the Company’s financial performance and report on the compliance to the Company policies, rules and procedures. This will entail field audits of partner organisations and audits of the Company;
4. Identify policy, rules and procedural gaps. This will entail risk assessments and analysis of the Company operations and control systems and recommendations of most appropriate risk management policies and procedures;
5. Prepare reports for submission to the Board and present findings underlining the implications for internal controls.

Person Specifications:
The position requires the following minimum qualifications:
a) An Honours degree with speciality in Accounting or finance plus membership with a an accounting body recognised by the Accountants Act Cap 266.
b) Masters Degree in Business Administration or its equivalent from a recognised University;
c) Professional accounting qualifications in either CPA, ACCA, CIMA etc;
d) At least 8 years’ working experience in financial services sector; of which 5 years must have been at senior Management level.
e) Should be computer literate with good command of accounting packages and spreadsheet;
f) Should have interpersonal and leadership skills
g) Self driven person with the highest level of responsibility
h) Aged between 35 – 50 years.
2. Assistant Manager Procurement – Level 4 (01 post)

JOB PURPOSE:- Responsible for coordination and execution of the procurement and disposal function of the Company. Manage all procurement and disposal activities of the company except adjudication and award of contracts.

REPORTS TO: - Manager –Administration.
a) To prepare and update the Companies procurement plan
b) To receive and process procurement requests from all departments on approval by the Head of department and contract committee.
c) To provide the required information to the contract committee, act as its
secretariat and ensure safe custody of the committee records.
d) To implement decisions of the committee.
e) To plan and budget for all procurements and disposal activities of the Company.
f) To recommend to contracts committee or any other higher authority the procurement and disposal procedures.
g) Prepare contract documents and issue approved contracts documents.
h) Maintain and archive records of the procurement and disposal process.
i) Prepare and submit monthly reports or any other reports required from time to time of the procurement function to relevant authorities.
j) Monitors and evaluate effectiveness of procurement processes within the Company and its Zonal offices.
k) Participate in the evaluation of bids for routine procurements.
l) Provides information, technical advice and guidance on all aspects of procurements
m) Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Person Specifications:
The position requires the following minimum qualifications:
a) An honours Degree in Procurement and logistical management, Economics, Business Administration,B.com or a related field from a recognised University;
b) A professional qualification in procurement in CIPS is a Must.
c) At least minimum three years experience in the field of procurement in a public sector.
d) A self driven person with a high sense of responsibility
e) Ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision
f) Computer literacy is a must.
g) Strong interpersonal skills.
h) Aged 25 years and above.
Candidates with the requisite qualifications should send their applications with detailed Curriculum Vitae together with copies of academic certificates and testimonial with at least 3 referees one of whom should be their current or last Employer. Applications to be received not later than 07.03.2011 at 5:00 p.m. to the address here below clearly stating the job title and addressed to:

The Director,
Uganda Management Institute (UMI)
Plot 44 - 52, Jinja Road,
P. O. Box 20131, Kampala.

Plot 46, Windsor Crescent, Kololo, P. O. Box 33711 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 041-4233 665/ 031- 263 779, Fax: 041-4233 673, Email: msc@msc.co.ug

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