Rob Katz

Job: Consultant, Safe Water and AIDS Project

Kenya-NyanzaPosition: Consultant

Location: Nyanza Province, KenyaOrganization: The Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP) is an organization that provides women with HIV/AIDS a range of services (counseling, emotional support, paralegal assistance, health and nutrition education) as well as income generating activities.? SWAP also provides support to AIDS orphans.

Description: SWAP has received significant financial support; the Rotary Club of Atlanta and Rotary District 9200 of Kenya began supporting SWAP over 3 years ago with the goal of reducing waterborne disease and providing SWAP members with the means of earning much needed income.? In this program, local SWAP groups are trained about safe water, health, and good business practices, and are offered the opportunity to obtain microcredit.? The women become “Avon Ladies” for health, selling WaterGuard, PUR, modified clay pots, insecticide treated bednets, condoms, protein fortified flour, skin antiseptic, birth control pills, and other products, and keep a small commission.? This project enables the women to improve the health of their neighbors while earning money to support their families.? There are approximately 400 SWAP groups, mainly women, who sell health products throughout Nyanza Province.? Promotion and marketing of the products primarily occurs by word of mouth through the various group members in their respective communities.? In recognition of SWAP’s rapid growth and success at reaching the neediest populations, the project was recently honored with a World Bank Global Development Marketplace Award.?

Currently, SWAP is supported by a 5-year USAID grant administered by Population Services International. This support, along with donations by the Rotary Club and several foundations, has permitted SWAP to open 6 district satellite offices in Nyanza Province and one each in Western and Rift Valley Provinces.? The main threat to continued growth and development of SWAP is the need for external sources of funding.? If SWAP were able to earn sufficient income to support its core staff, the program would then be able to use donor funding solely for program expansion.?

Objectives of the Assignment
This assignment will pursue two main objectives:

  • Determine strategies to increase SWAP’s revenues
  • Develop a business plan with SWAP that is designed to lead them to economic self-sufficiency

Outputs
The consultant is expected to produce seven outputs during this assignment:

  1. An analysis of SWAP’s current business activities
  2. An analysis of SWAP’s current expenditures and revenues
  3. An assessment of SWAP’s current microfinance program to determine potential areas of growth
  4. An assessment of local business opportunities for SWAP and the investment required to realize them
  5. A business plan designed to achieve self-sufficiency within 5 years
  6. Recommendations for personnel required to realize the plan
  7. A marketing plan for additional business activities to be undertaken by SWAP

Approach
The consultant will be based in Kisumu and his work will involve visits to SWAP satellite offices and rural and urban SWAP groups. S/He will interact daily with the management team of SWAP and is encouraged to use her/his network and reach out to specialized expertise for specific tasks in the assignment.

This assignment has a duration of 3 months and will start at the earliest.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements
The consultant/intern will have a very strong general management skills and a strong entrepreneurial orientation. Experience in a management consulting firm or a start-up, and previous work experience in a developing country, ideally in East Africa, will be particularly valuable.

To Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to swap@vicweb.net

Categories
Uncategorized