Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

Overview:

ACDI/VOCA is currently implementing the $20.5 million, five-year Feed the Future Livestock and Nutrition Activity in Bangladesh funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Livestock and Nutrition Activity aims to sustainably increase livestock productivity, marketability, and consumption of livestock products to improve nutrition and incomes for one million livestock producing households and firms in the 23 target districts in Bangladesh's Zone of Influence and Zone of Resilience. To achieve this level of scale and ambitious results ACDI/VOCA uses an integrated community-based development and inclusive market systems approach and co-creates solutions with communities and public and private sector actors, effectively leveraging their resources, technologies, and expertise.

Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced and talented professionals for the MSME

Job Title : Private Sector Engagement Specialist-Access to Finance
Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh
Project name : Feed the Future Bangladesh Livestock and Nutrition Activity
Reports to : Market System Development Lead
Number of Position : 02 (Two)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Specialist will provide leadership and managerial oversight for economic development and private sector engagement (PSE) activities related to increasing 1) livestock productivity, 2) marketability of livestock products, and 3) household consumption of safe and diversified livestock products. This includes but is not limited to identifying and creating incentives for leveraging private capital towards livestock activities, building the capacity of SMEs and anchor firms, coordinating and linking SMEs with other market actors to increase their competitiveness.  S/he will work closely with project staff, private sector counterparts, and beneficiaries to successfully design and implement activities and achieve desired results. S/he will be the key focal point for working closely with the Activity’s private sector partners, including financial service providers (FSPs) and ICT partners. The PSE Specialist will facilitate technical assistance requirements targeted to private sector partners and entrepreneurs and other relevant stakeholders by co-creating solutions with public and private sector actors, leveraging their resources, technologies and expertise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Private Sector Engagement:

  • Identify a pipeline of large and medium private sector enterprises, business associations, and other stakeholders that the program can partner with to overcome inefficiencies in dairy, cattle and goat market systems.
  • Lead stakeholder engagement workshops to provide input into designing and developing relevant program activities and partnership mechanisms. 
  • Identify innovative opportunities with private sector actors and market system actors in the livestock sector and co-create solutions (e.g. grants, MoUs, and other partnership mechanisms) with them, leveraging their resources, technologies and expertise to achieve the Activity’s objectives and goals.
  • Work with large firms (input suppliers, milk and meat processors, and FSPs) and MSMEs, to develop and implement innovative business models to increase the competitiveness of the livestock sector, including strategies for increasing access to capital and access to upgraded technologies.
  • Communicate with the private sector partners regularly to ensure timely implementation of activities under grants, MoUs or other partnership mechanisms. Support and monitor pre-investment and post-investment and monitor impact
  • Maintain positive working relationships with the private sector and GoB representatives.
  • Collaborate in tandem with Grants and MEL Team and provide programmatic input to create custom-tailored solutions for reviewing partnership contractual dynamics and data-reporting methodology to capture impact.
  • Monitor the entire project management lifecycle by analyzing engagement dynamics and contractual obligations and holding stakeholders accountable.

Access to Finance:

  • Work with partner Financial Service Providers (Bank, Non-Bank Financial Institutes, Mobile Financial Service Providers, Insurance Companies, etc.) to co-create areas of collaboration and leverage investments. This will build off areas of partnership agreed upon during the partnership cocreation stage. 

ICT

  • Work closely with the technology sub-awardee provider (mPower Social), overseeing periodic reports and activities and facilitating partnerships with other innovative Agri-tech enterprises.
  • Initiate, analyze and assess marketplace dynamics and facilitate innovative partnerships with Agri startups/MSMEs for the purpose of scaling up commercial distribution.

Subject Matter Expert & Portfolio Diversification

  • Lead overall portfolio responsibility for designing and implementing Access to Finance, ICT, Environmental Mitigation, & Alternative Distribution Channel activities that will increase financing opportunities and equitable transfer of information for livestock agri-value chain actors.
  • Manage entire project portfolio on Financial Inclusion, Financial Services, Digital Payment Gateway, Environmental Mitigation, Alternative Distribution Channel & ICT investment opportunities that align with inclusive and competitive market development opportunities for livestock Agri-value chain actors.
  • Carry out feasibility tests of strategic initiatives as the technical subject matter expert while maintaining a budget.

Adaptive Learning:

  • Provide strategic support on CLA to the Activity MEL and communications teams.
  • Develop success stories, blogs, learning products related to private sector engagement of the project.
  • Coordinate with the MEL, GYSI, and Market systems Lead to strengthen livestock input and output market systems.

Climate Risk Mitigation and Adaptation:

  • Clear understanding of climate change’s impact and mitigation vis a vi the livestock sector
  • Identify opportunities to work with private sector partners to provide products and services related to climate risk mitigation to the targeted population.
  • Understanding of the calculation of carbon emissions, carbon credit, methane emissions, and strategies to reduce GHG emissions.

Managing Consultancy & Studies 

  • Coordinate with admin, operations and legal team in developing TORs, MOU, & Cooperative Agreements on onboarding/hiring consultants (global & local) and oversee the entire consultancy cycle.
  • Conduct market research, create/evaluate financial models, assess feasibility tests, and perform data validation/integrity checks that align with project goals while reporting anomalies.  

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in economics/business/development studies or a relevant technical area.
  • At least four (4) years of experience working with the private sector to develop public-private partnerships, leverage resources, and promote private-sector-driven growth, preferably in Bangladesh.
  • Knowledge/contact with private sector enterprises in the livestock sector in Bangladesh.
  • Experience providing advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building services to SMEs and/or anchor firms to increase export competitiveness.
  • Familiarity with access to finance constraints for SMEs and anchor firms and ability to advise on solutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, financial institutions, project staff, and/or donor agencies.
  • Fluency in Bangla and English is required, including writing coherent and analytical reports in English.
  • Experience with computer-based Microsoft packages (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Strong detail oriented analytical and relationship-building skills, including working in partnership with local communities, Government and private livestock companies and institutions, financial service providers, and NGOs as appropriate.
  • Ability to negotiate, advise and resolve issues that are highly complex and sensitive in nature.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with people on all levels, both inside and outside the organization.
  • Strong written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write required documents in a clear, concise, well-organized manner in both English and Bangla
  • Awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of cross-cultural issues, particularly in representing a US-based organization.
  • Ability to work effectively in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and under deadline pressure.
  • Ability to travel within and outside Bangladesh as needed.
  • Team player and able to work independently.

To apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to “Manager-Human Resources” by BangladeshLAN@joinav.org no later than April 15, 2024.

Please include the position title in the subject line

  “ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity organization”