Deadline: Ongoing
TechnoServe is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Access to Finance Expert in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Access to Finance Expert will serve as a senior member of the project team and will conceptualize and implement innovative approaches to link emerging smallholder farmers and MSMEs in the livestock sector with finance in Zimbabwe.
TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries.
Key Jobs Responsibilities
The Access to Finance Expert will perform the following functions-
- Lead development and execution of the overall strategic vision, goals and objectives of the access to finance component.
- Lead in-depth market research to identify key risks and opportunities for market development; and explore feasibility of new and innovative financial services models.
- Identify and/or design smallholder/MSME relevant, cost-effective and sustainable financial products for increased uptake by rural households and businesses.
- Work with team to develop relevant finance solutions (e.g. group savings) for vulnerable groups such as women and extremely poor/food insecure households.
- Facilitate linkages and loan transactions between financial services providers and relevant farmers/MSMEs.
- Develop knowledge and access to information to build financial intelligence, financial literacy and financial management capacity of smallholder farmers and MSMEs.
- Lead networking; and Build and manage relationships with private sector representatives in the financial services and agriculture markets, government officials and key institutions, as relevant.
- Develop and submit relevant reporting requirements.
- Establishing contacts and maintaining and building relationships with potential implementing partners such as financial institutions and SMEs/agribusinesses.
- Conducting baseline needs assessments to develop appropriate interventions to support partner financial institutions and SMEs/agribusinesses.
- Provide formalized training and guidance to grant seekers to enable them to complete and submit their grant or loan applications.
- Provide capacity building and technical assistance to program partners.
- Serve as intermediary to coordinate formal agreements between local small businesses and financial institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- A Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business, and/or a related discipline.
- At least 7 years’ experience in agricultural and rural lending with financial institutions including microfinance institutions, commercial banks, cooperatives, micro-insurance etc.
- Solid experience in Zimbabwe essential.
- Practical knowledge and understanding of key access to finance opportunities and constraints within Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Demonstrated experience implementing donor funded programs such as with DFID, USAID, EU and the World Bank Group.
- Demonstrated experience in training and capacity building of financial services providers, smallholder farmers/rural SMEs and base of the pyramid consumers.
- Experience addressing gender inequality and other minority groups in financial market systems highly preferred.
- Ability to structure and manage complex tasks; including experience in work planning and activity budgeting.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently – and take initiative while also having strong team building skills.
- Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English.
- Fluency in at least 1 local language highly preferred.
- Willingness to travel domestically.
- Nationality of Zimbabwe.
- Experience working with small businesses.
- Experience working with agribusiness institutions.
- Understanding of the economic and financial environment in Zimbabwe.
- Excellent communication skills in English.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a Word-formatted single document consisting of cover letter and resume via email with “Access to Finance Expert” as the subject line.
For more information, please visit TechnoServe.
