Consultant - Support for the Development and Implementation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) at Novel Alliance for Development Aid (NADA)

Novel Alliance for Development Aid (NADA) is a national NGO registered with Nigerian Cooperate Affair Commission as a humanitarian and development organization. The organization was founded in 2017 in Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria by Nigerian intellectuals’ humanitarian to provide integrated humanitarian services to people and communities affected by the crisis within the country with a focus on the northeast and northwest Nigerian.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant - Support for the Development and Implementation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)

Location: Borno
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: Duration – 3 months

Background

• NADA is implementing a project aimed at enhancing access to micro-credit and facilitating income-generating activities (IGAS) through the establishment and support of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAS).
• The goal is to provide marginalized communities with access to financial services, promote savings habits, and create opportunities for economic empowerment. This will be achieved by forming and training VSLA groups, providing financial literacy training, and promoting various IGAS, such as agriculture-related activities and small-scale business ventures.
• To support the successful implementation of the VSLA component of the project, NADA invites expressions of interest from qualified consultants to provide technical assistance in the establishment, training, and formalization of the VSLA groups.

Objectives of the Consultancy
The consultancy aims to:

• Conduct a baseline survey to assess community needs and identify target VSLA members.
• Develop a comprehensive strategy for the formation, training, and strengthening of VSLA groups.
• Provide training and technical assistance to VSLA members and NADA staff on group management, financial literacy, and the promotion of income-generating activities.
• Support the formalization of VSLA groups into cooperatives through registration with relevant authorities.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to track the progress and impact of the VSLA groups.
• Regularly report on progress to NADA and ensure that objectives are being met.

Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Inception Phase:

•  Conduct a baseline survey to understand the community context and identify target members.
• Meet with the NADA team to refine the methodology and finalize the work plan.

VSLA Formation & Training:

• Facilitate the formation of VSLA groups and provide training on group management and financial literacy.
• Provide training on various IGAS (e.g., agriculture, small business).

Setup:

• Assist in establishing savings platforms in collaboration with NADA.

Cooperative Formalization:

• Support formalization of VSLAS into cooperatives by facilitating registration with relevant authorities. 
• Provide training on governance, financial management, and compliance with relevant frameworks.

Monitoring & Reporting:

• Develop M&E tools to track progress and assess the effectiveness of the VSLAS. 
• Provide regular progress reports and a final evaluation report at the end of the consultancy.

Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to deliver:

• Inception Report detailing methodology, work plan, and baseline survey findings.
• VSLA Program Strategy and work plan for group formation, training, and formalisation.
• Training Materials for VSLA members and NADA staff.
• Progress Reports documenting the status of activities and milestones.
• Final Evaluation Report assessing the impact of the VSLA activities, including formalisation into cooperatives.

Required Qualifications
The ideal consultant should have the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in VSLA programming, microfinance, or community-based financial services.
• Proven experience in facilitating VSLA formation, capacity building, and IGAS in rural or marginalized settings.
• Strong knowledge of the VSLA methodology and the process for formalising VSLAS into cooperatives.
• Experience working with women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
• Excellent training and facilitation skills.
• Strong reporting and analytical skills.
• Previous experience in similar projects in conflict-affected or disaster-prone regions is a plus.

Application Closing Date
25th April, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CV to: hr.recruitment@nadaid.org using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Interested consultants (individuals or firms) should submit the following documents:
  • A cover letter expressing interest and availability.
  • An updated CV or company profile highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
  • A technical proposal (max 5 pages) outlining the consultant’s approach, methodology, and timeline.
  • A financial proposal (budget) including daily rates and anticipated costs.
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or asked to provide additional documentation.
• Equal Opportunity: NADA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and consultants with experience in conflict-affected or disaster-prone regions.