Historique

United Nation Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 49 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their communities by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help financial service providers reach more poor households and small businesses through inclusive finance approach, and local governments finance the capital investments that will improve poor peoples’ lives. 
 
In Nepal, UNCDF has recently signed an agreement with Government of Denmark where UNCDF will implement an Access to Finance (A2F) component of UNATTI programme. A2F will be implemented through National Implementation Modality (NIM), the Nepal Rastra Bank’s, Microfinance Promotion and Supervision Department will be the implementing partner.
 
Access to Finance and UNATTI: This programme has been designed to enhance and improve agricultural sector in Nepal. The Government of Denmark along with the Government of Nepal is supporting the Inclusive Growth Programme in Nepal (UNNATI). The objective of UNNATI is “Promotion of sustainable inclusive growth that reduces poverty and raises living standards.” Within the context of UNATTI, the purpose of the Access to finance (A2F) project is to support financial service providers to more effectively serve the agricultural value chain actors with appropriate financial products thereby enabling smallholder farmers and MSMEs to invest into their value chain activities leading to the sustained improvement in competitiveness of selected value chains.  The A2F project interventions will have a national impact with a specific focus given to the Eastern Development Region of Nepal, under the umbrella of UNATTI, specifically in the seven districts of Mechi and Koshi corridor - Ilam, Paanchthar, Terhathum, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Taplejung and Sankhwasabha.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The Team Leader: Value Chain Finance will head the project office and team based in Biratnagar and will be responsible for the day to day project activities and achievements. S/he will directly report to the National Program Manager of UNNATI – Access to Finance Project (A2F) based at the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) office in Kathmandu and to the National Programme Coordinator, UNCDF in Nepal on technical matters.
 
Duties and Responsibilities: 
  • Be responsible for maintaining and developing strong partnerships with banks, microfinance institutions, cooperatives, insurance companies, partners, collaborators, private sector players, and any other associated stakeholder;
  • Work closely with project partners in ensuring achievement of A2F component deliverables;
  • Work closely with teams from other components of UNNATI program to ensure synergy and project deliverables are met as the overall UNNATI objectives;
  • Will manage all field operations related to the project according to the work plan, project document and implementation strategy;
  • Troubleshoot, as needed, to prevent disruptions in daily program activities – provide overall supervision for the implementation and integration of all program activities and provide overall direction to daily implementation plans to ensure all program goals are met;
  • Develop and implement work plans using the technique of logical framework/ result chain framework to guarantee the application of the results and objectives of the project, within budget and timing set;
  • Ensure and support the correct identification of the target areas of the project and oversee the development and monitor the achievement of results, ensuring compliance of project indicators;
  • Ensure active participation and representation at different levels of the project nationally and internationally;
  • Develop monitoring systems jointly with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist and provide regular internal reports on program activities and donor reports. Ensure capitalization of activities and lessons learned;
  • Work closely with local partners and develop strategies to promote their organizational development and capacity-building. Also work closely with national and international consultants to design products and processes as required under the A2F component;
  • Identify Agriculture Value Chain Finance (AVCF) needs of value chain actors in tea, ginger and dairy value chains and develop partnerships for creating suitable financial products and ensure delivery of results;
  • Build capacities of financial institutions and project partners involved in AVCF;
  • Monitor and ensure successful delivery of financial competency projects with local partners;
  • Work closely with financial institutions to co-design, pilot and expand financial products related to AVCF in the country, and specifically in Eastern Development Region;
  • Identify and work with financial institutions in improving their MIS and provide training related to it and work closely with NRB and UNCDF team to ensure all project activities are implemented successfully and as per the project guidelines;
  • Coordinate work on the field with the Mobile Money for the Poor (MM4P), Making Access Possible (MAP) and Clean Start programme team as per project activities outlined;
  • Contribute to Policy analysis of AVCF and undertake periodic market mapping in the area AVCF;
  • Conduct surveys, need assessments, data and information collection for the development of on-going and future proposals.

Compétences

Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Nepali;
  • Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to access to finance area of UNCDF;
  • Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute the project.;
  • Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring and advisory skills;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development and knowledge dissemination. 
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Ability to elaborate and implement communications and publications strategies;
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in developing periodic reports and communication materials;
  • Ability to effectively manage and facilitate meetings, trainings, workshops, seminars and other events;
  • Ability to effectively plan and manage the project;
  • Demonstrated creativity, willingness to innovate, think systemically and design catalytic activities;
  • Demonstrates strong IT skills.
Management and Leadership
  • Focuses on impact and result for the client;
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
  • Demonstrate experience working with the Government stakeholders in Nepal;
  • Excellent networking ability to build and maintain professional relationships;
  • High level planning, organizational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at senior levels, including central bank departments;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education

  • Master’s degree in management, finance, developments, economics or related field.
Experience
  • At least 10 years of experience in the area of financial sector development programmes focusing on agricultural sector development in progressively more responsible position;
  • Demonstrated hands–on experience in design, monitoring, implementing and evaluating large scale financial sector development programs focusing on agricultural including programme management;
  • The team leader will have demonstrated knowledge in area of non-collateral based lending, small and medium enterprise (SME) finance, agriculture finance and value chain finance with a good understanding of microfinance.
  • Have extensive experience working with the financial sector, preferably commercial banks and microfinance institutions. In depth understanding and knowledge of financial products i.e. savings, credit, payments, insurance and warehousing;
  • Prior experience in working with donor-funded projects in a senior position is an advantage;
  • Have experience in monitoring and evaluation and take technical leadership in the areas of monitoring of programme results. Familiarity with result chain framework and/or Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) measurement standard is an added advantages;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good practices in value chain development that reaches women, youth & the poor.

Language

  • Fluent in English.