Project Officer – Investment UN Capital Development Fund

The key results are expected from the project:
Strengthen institutional capacity of agribusiness SMEs and FIs to conduct sustainable business and business operations (including digital solutions).
Improve technical capacity of agribusiness SMEs to develop bankable green investment proposals acceptable by financial institutions.
Unlock affordable medium-term finance for agribusiness SMEs in value addition and responsible agro processing.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Officer will perform the following tasks which are grouped into two functional areas:
Organization and facilitation of key programme activities related to project development and financing agribusiness projects:
Support in the identification, screening of applicants and due diligence on SMEs in accordance with the eligibility criteria;
• Support to build pipeline of commercially viable agri business investment projects acceptable by financial institutions;
• Provide implementation support for the development of project proposals for financing in accordance with the START rules and procedures;
• Support directly and indirectly in provision of Business Development support services to project sponsors identified during the different START processes;
• Support the establishment of co‐financing relationships with local and international financial institutions, nurture relationships and manage activities needed to secure co‐financing of START projects;
• Facilitate the required technical studies under guidance by engaging the project sponsors, consultants, local authorities, and communities as appropriate, including the development of TORs that reflect project finance requirements and support of the procurement processes;
• Identify alternative financing sources and structures, including the preparation of and participation in discussions and negotiations with banks, investors, and other stakeholders;
• Participate in activities to promote START activities resulting in a project pipeline and/or strategic partnerships;
• Prepare and facilitate technical missions for project and pipeline development;
• Monitor the performance of SMEs supported under the facility to ensure compliance with the signed agreements.
• Organization and facilitation of key programme activities, related to Resource mobilisation, project

Management capacity building and knowledge management:
• Provide support for the START facility capacity building and training programme, ensuring programme knowledge generation and dissemination, including support to the development of START tools and toolkits, case studies, briefs, research documents, and client impact evaluations;
• Support and ensure the implementation of the START facility stakeholder mobilization and communication plan and organize and coordinate outreach activities with a variety of stakeholders;
• Provide specialist input to and ensure application of the processes and tools to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, training, and scaling up of START facility, building the capacity of local stakeholders in the public and private sectors;
• Develop and implement tools and programmes for knowledge building, transfer and sharing;
• Support efforts of UNCDF to mobilize additional resources for START facility;
• Support and participate in the development of project monitoring and evaluation tools. Support and participate in the development of project procurement plans;
• Support the organization of periodic project reviews/meetings;
• Ensure the delivery of the key results on time;
• Exercise prudent financial management of the project, including timely reviews and submission of requests for disbursement of funds and other forms;
• Perform any other tasks assigned by a supervisor.

Institutional Arrangement
The Project Officer – Investment will directly report to the START Facility Manager.

Competencies
Core Competencies
• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Functional/Technical competencies
Business development
• Knowledge facilitation : Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business management
• Project management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business management
• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Business management
• Evaluation: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.

Business management
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, priorities and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership management
• Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

Finance
• Accounting: Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Banking, or related areas.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) with additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in investment or financial analysis in a reputable institution.

Required skills:
• Experience in investment/banking/ financial management in a reputable institution;
• Experience with private equity/venture investments, credit and risk assessment, with solid financial modelling and risk assessment skills;
• Proven experience in carrying out due diligence, in data collection, data and financial analysis skills;
• Experience in managing investment portfolio in projects with the government, NGO, or private sector;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Desired skills:
• Experience with a UN organization/agency is desirable; along with knowledge of UNCDF/UNDP and the UN system and/or NGOs.
• Experience coordinating and/or working with different partners shall be an added advantage.

Language:
• Fluency in English and local language is required.

Professional Certificates:
• CFA, CPA etc. will have a distinct advantage.