South Sudan: Microfinance Specialist: Agribusiness Development Programme

Introduction

Cordaid is a Dutch, international non-governmental organization which combines 100 years of experience and expertise in emergency aid and structural poverty eradication. Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion tear up societies, we connect people and communities. We also stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders, to make a difference where it is most needed. Together with more than 600 partner organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion.

Cordaid has been active in South Sudan for more than 20 years, with a strong focus on civil society capacity-building. Currently, it has programs in the area of Emergency Response, DRR, Health, Food Security, Security & Justice, Women Leadership and Investments.

Presently, Cordaid is expanding its program in different parts of the country. For that purpose, additional technical capacity is required. Therefore, Cordaid would like to recruit a Microfinance Specialist: Agribusiness Development Programme as detailed below,

Microfinance Specialist: Agribusiness Development Programme

Based in Juba with 50% travel to field project locations

Reporting line

The Microfinance Specialist reports to the Senior Project Manager and is being supported by an investment manager of Cordaid Investment Management based in The Hague.

Purpose of the Position:

The Microfinance Specialist’s key responsibilities are 1) to ensure access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses that participate in the project’s activities and are in need of financial services and 2) to manage the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) together with Cordaid Investment Management (CIM). The project will not provide financial services itself but work through and support South Sudanese financial institutions like MFIs, VSLA, SACCOs and banks.

The Microfinance Specialist will be responsible for successful implementation of the access to finance component of this 4+years, Netherlands Embassy funded programme SSADP II project.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1. Provide overall strategic guidance, leadership, management and general technical oversight of the access to financial goals and activities of the project, with a strong focus on achieving defined results;
2. Coordinate with consortium members to align project activities in terms of regions and target groups and ensure that the access to finance activities correspond to the needs of the target groups served by the other project components;
3. Manage, together with CIM, the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Develop policy, terms and eligibility criteria of the fund and ensure proper administration and reporting. Ensure “inflation-proof” repayment mechanisms;
4. Lead, manage, mentor and develop the capacity of the project’s microfinance officers;
5. Identify/map existing financial institutions operating in the projects operational areas. Develop an assessment tool for and assess the capacity and performance of these institutions. Identify capacity building needs;
6. Support the development of appropriate loan products by the financial institutions that correspond to needs of farmers and agribusinesses. The important element is the definition of inflation-proof repayment terms ensuring the preservation of the RLF’s value;
7. Organize and implement capacity building of financial institutions;
8. Support to VSLA’s in improving their financial management and making them ready to provide loans to their members or intermediate loans from MFIs to their members;
9. Organize financial literacy training to farmers and business skills training to agribusinesses;
10. Coordinate all activities with the MFIs/VSLA/SACCOs/Banks;
11. Identify banks or other money transfer mechanisms in the counties for disbursement and repayment of loans, easing cash-handling and reduction of risks;
12. Monitor and report on project activities.

Qualifications and skills

1. Master’s degree in banking, finance, business management or related field;
2. At least 5 years’ experience in banking or management of microfinance institutions;
3. At least 3 years’ experience in agricultural lending, including product development;
4. Good understanding of key risks affecting agricultural lending in a fragile environment;
5. Experience in South Sudan is a pre;
6. Excellent report writing skills and analytical reviews;
7. Fluency in English.

Further information and how to apply

Interested and qualifying applicants can submit their application letter including a CV in English with full contact details of at least 3 professional references to the following email hr.southsudan@cordaid.org.

Mention the vacancy reference number in subject line:

e.g. CSS08/05/18 Microfinance Specialist: Agribusiness Development Programme - Juba

Deadline for submission is by the 10 June 2018

The contract period is for 12 months starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period based on funding and performance. Cordaid offers a contract with a competitive salary and a benefits package which includes Rest & Recuperation and Medical Insurance Cover.

NB.

• The final offer of the job will be based on Cordaid signing contract with the donor.
• Cordaid has a right to amend the role and responsibilities at a later stage based on donor approval of final submission.

Cordaid is an equal opportunities employer and women are strongly encouraged to apply

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.