Job Description:

The incumbent requires to perform the following:

• Implement the access to finance strategy of the project at Provincial Level.
• Explore, assess, and identify appropriate Financial Institutions (Commercial Banks, Micro Finance Institutions, Micro Finance Banks, etc.) as probable lenders to potential clients (individual/cooperative/corporate MSMEs).
• Collaborate with Financial Institutions (FIs) to identify the most appropriate financial products and services for all types of MSMEs.
• Assist FI staff in identifying potential clients (MSMEs) among the target groups and build a pipeline of loan deals.
• Expand project beneficiary access to risk mitigation products, such as agriculture / livestock insurance.
• Identify financing gaps among target value chain actors and support bridging those gaps.
• Support MSMEs, cooperatives, producers, and value chain actors to develop bankable business plans and connect them with relevant financial and non-financial service providers.
• Facilitate the financial literacy and education of MSMEs/FCBS members, FMCs members.
• Follow up on agreed action plans and maintain active relationship with Financial Institutions at provincial and district levels.
• Build close liaison and relationships with POs for timely implementation of project’s A2F plan.
• Assist and organize periodic provincial coordination meetings with Financial Institutions.
• Assist in developing strategy and ensuring matching grant recipients receive funding from financial institutions.
• Quarterly/Monthly progress update to Access to Finance Manager.
• Build linkages and synergies between SMEs and financial service providers for innovations, upscaling, and business expansion at provincial and district level.
• Ensure that all information/data of SMEs is available on MIS, all SME borrowers' updated data must be maintained at any point in time.
• Capturing, articulating, and disseminating matching grant utilization, success and impact stories, and best practices (on regular basis). The finalized stories will be shared on organization's digital media, social media for more visibility of the  project.
• Facilitate  donors, and other core partners, Consultants, Consulting Firms (s), and Partner Organizations’ missions in field visits, data collection (surveys) of SMEs / impact/results assessment studies of the successful business cases of MATCHING GRANTS utilization.
• Ensure and facilitate POs in understanding and smoothly implementing Access to Finance activities including rural mobilization, matching grant process, training of borrowers on Financial Literacy, Business Plan Development, SMEs/borrowers exposure visits & and participation of SMEs/borrowers in exhibitions, etc., as per the Financing Agreement and agreed deliverable/implementation plan and approved strategy and formats. 
• Participate and represent the project  in meetings, training, workshops, seminars, and events at the National, Provincial, District, and UC levels. 
• Facilitate and ensure that all borrowers (SMEs including primary producers) are implementing their loans as per the agreed terms and conditions.

Education, Experience :

•  At least 16 years of education in master’s in finance or social sciences, or Project Management, or master’s in business administration, or master’s in public administration, or relevant education from a HEC-recognized institute.
• 05 years of related experience in Access to Finance in the development sector or Loan department of any local commercial bank, MFI, or MFB.

Required Skills: 

• Negotiations.
• Interpersonal
• Effective Communication
• Coaching and Facilitation
• Proficiency in MS Office.

 We are an equal opportunity employer and offer competitive salary package commensurate with incumbent’sprofile. Women candidates, minorities and persons with disabilities, who meet the required criteria, areencouraged to apply.