Access to Finance Expert, Rural Agricultural Enterprises Development, Zambia 204 views0 applications

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

Access to Finance Expert, Rural Agricultural Enterprises Development, Zambia**

ACDI/VOCA is currently seeking an experienced Access to Finance Expert for the anticipated USAID-funded Rural Agricultural Enterprises Development Activity. The activity is anticipated to facilitate access to finance for rural Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), address financial service providers’ barriers to lending to SMEs, and address barriers that limit agricultural enterprises’ ability to seek and qualify for loans. The position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia.

Responsibilities

· Identify obstacles to accessing finance that are encountered by various SMEs that are working along the targeted value chains (producers, processors, and buyers).

· Identify and establish working relationships with finance institutions. Assess their perceptions, limitations and concerns regarding extending access to finance to rural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

· In collaboration with the GOZ entities, organize roundtable discussions on extending access to finance to SMEs.

· Identify equipment-leasing providers and work with them to develop new leasing products that deliver services on terms that are more feasible for producers.

· Serve as a conduit of information on financing opportunities in support of SMEs and link participants to existing programs designed to facilitate access to finance for SMEs.

· Work with commercial banks and possibly microfinance institutions (MFIs) to develop additional loan products and services to better suit the needs of SMEs.

· Provide training and direct technical assistance to producers, traders, processors and suppliers on the development of business plans, making credit applications and keeping appropriate business records needed to support credit applications.

· Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to identify feasible M&E indicators and target results that speak to finance accessed by participants via various mechanisms supported.

· Coordinate, assist and participate in the collection of data and information regarding indicators focusing on access to finance.

· Work in collaboration with the entire project team to identify activities related to improving access to finance and assist in developing Annual Work Plans.

Qualifications

· Undergraduate degree in agribusiness, banking, economics or related technical field of study; Masters degree preferred.

· Successful and extensive experience (at least 7 years) working with the finance sector in Zambia.

· At least 4 years of experience supporting the provision of financial services to the agriculture sector.

· Deep understanding of the real and perceived constraints to agricultural lending in Zambia;

· Experience with international donor-supported agriculture and/or agribusiness projects (preferably with USAID-funded projects).

· Fluency in English is required; Fluency in Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, or Lozi is preferred.

Zambian nationals are highly encouraged to apply.