ACCESS TO FINANCE SENIOR ADVISOR – The Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP) 108 views

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. DATE OF ISSUANCE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Horticulture Enterprise Enhancement Project (HEEP) is an eight-year development project financed jointly by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). OPEC Fund and the Government of Zimbabwe. HEEP supports the transformation of smallholder horticulture in Zimbabwe through Village horticulture model and the 4P hub and spoke horticulture development. The Project is focused in four provinces for the VHGs: Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Manicaland and Midlands. It consists of three interlinked components: Component 1: Village Horticultural Garden and 4P Mobilization and Development. Component 2: Access to Finance, and Component 3: Institutional Support and Project Coordination.

HEEP is in the process of recruiting officers and service providers for its National Project Management Unit (NPMU) in Harare and in the three Regional Project Management Units (RPMU) in the field, to manage and coordinate HEEP project activities. While the lead agency of the project is Ministry of Lands. Agriculture. Fisheries. Water and Rural Development (MLAFWRD), the Village Horticulture Gardens will be implemented through ARDA and HEEP 4P activities include proactive co-operations with the private sector, including the farming community, small and medium enterprises and larger processing and marketing companies in key agricultural value chain.

 

REPORTS TO:

HEER National Project Coordinator

DUTY STATION Harare

 

Overall Scope of Work

• Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the Access to finance senior advisor will be responsible for the implementation of the component 2: Access to finance. He will in particular provide support to and monitor RBZ for the implementation of the line of credit, capacity building to financial institutions and the management of the matching grants, building on and leveraging RBZ partnership with SACR
• The Senior Export Finance Advisor will report to the Project Coordinator and collaborate closely with other specialists such as the 4P Partnership Advisor and the Senior Horticulture and Agribusiness Advisor. He / she will consult regularly with SCAP PMU staff and consultants in charge of the partnership with RBZ, to ensure synergies between the two partnerships.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational guidance on all matters relating to Access to Finance under HEER
• Engage with RBZ to develop modalities of partnership with the Project.
• Draft subsidiary agreement with RBZ for approval by relevant parties.
• Support RBZ to adapt operational manuals and guidelines for the Line of Credit. Matching grants and Technical assistance to the specific needs of HEER
• Support RBZ for the development of ToRs for the consultants for the technical assistance to the PFIs (banks, MFIs and insurance companies). and for the recruitment and supervision of the consultants.
• Provide technical support to RBZ on need basis (for instance on export financing options, due diligence of anchor companies, etc.). This support will be determined based on an initial capacity building needs assessment of RBZ.
• Liaise with project beneficiaries to assess their financing needs and constraints m accessing financial services.
• Liaise with PFIs to help them identifying technical assistance needs for improvement of their offer to the project beneficiaries, for application for support to RBZ.
• Provide guidance and supportto APGs, MSEs and 4Ps stakeholders regarding financing options and requirements.
• Monitor implementation of the subsidiary agreement with RBZ and provide regular updates to HEEP coordinator, through desk review of RBZ, PFIs and consultants report, regular meetings with the management of RBZ and PFIs, consultants and other relevant stakeholders, and field monitoring visits.
• Propose remedial actions to improve performance of the line of credit, matching grants and TA to PFIs. on need basis.
• Assist in the documentation of lessons learned’, success stories on Access to Finance and exchange of knowledge on an on-going basis.
• Stay updated on evolutions in the financial sector and horticulture value chain to ensure compliance and alignment of the financial services offered with these evolutions.
• Foster and build relationships with key actors of the financial and horticulture sector (banks and MFI associations, projects and initiatives promoting access to finance in rural areas, especially for the horticulture sector, etc.) to present and discuss experience of the project, leverage their experience and knowledge, and ensure synergies of interventions.
• Develop ToRs and participate in the recruitment of short-term consultants on need basis to contribute to the results of the Access to finance component (for complementary areas of expertise).
• Participate to the Supervision and Implementation Support Missions.
• Perform other related duties as may be requested by the Project Coordinator.

Qualifications and Competence

A Masters Degree in Finance. Economics, or a related field.

Required Work Experience

• Strong knowledge of and experience in the Zimbabwe financial sector.
• At least 10 years’ experience in managing or promoting agricultural finance at senior level, for SHF. MSMEs and corporate companies.
• Knowledge or experience in export and trade finance.
• Knowledge or experience of crop insurance.
• Experience in designing and/or implementing capacity building programs forfinancial institutions.
• Effective negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Experience with international development organizations will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English. Being conversant in one or more local languages will be an added advantage.
• Sensitivity to cultural, ethnic and gender differences.

Mode and Duration of Contract

Recruited for the full duration of the project. Initial contract for 3 years (with possibility of extension based on performance) with 6 months’ probation period.

Job Summary

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Job Type

Full Time

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Location

Harare

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Category

Finance

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Closing Date

November 23, 2024