Since 1963 and in 146 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 an international development organization dedicated to promoting economic prosperity, fostering food security, and supporting social inclusion through market-driven, locally focused solutions. This organization collaborates with diverse partners to empower people to succeed in the global economy. Their efforts focus on increasing incomes, improving livelihoods, and creating opportunities for traditionally excluded groups. ACDI/VOCA's work spans various countries and communities, making a tangible impact on lives and societies.
The Bangladesh Climate Smart Livestock (BCSL) project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA, is a five-year initiative spanning from October 2023 to September 2028. It aims to enhance the resilience and productivity of Bangladesh's livestock sector amidst climatic adversities.

The project adopts a climate-smart market systems development approach to improve access to knowledge, services, and markets for small-holder farmers. It emphasizes the adoption of cost-effective climate-smart agriculture technologies and practices, targeting improvements in farm productivity, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting government climate goals. This initiative builds on ACDI/VOCA's extensive experience and strong relationships within Bangladesh's livestock sector.

The position ‘Manager – Partnerships and Financial Inclusion’ will work closely with banks and private sector stakeholders to develop agricultural lending models and enhance financial inclusion for smallholder livestock farmers. Reporting to the Market System Development Lead, the role focuses on managing partnerships and liaising with national financial service providers. Key responsibilities include supporting grant management for private sector partners and identifying opportunities to co-design Digital Financial Solutions (DFS) and inclusive business models for livestock farmers.

The Manager will collaborate with Financial Service Providers (FSPs) along with commercial banks, SMEs, and farmers’ associations to develop and promote customized financial products for livestock farmers and SMEs. Additionally, the role will support the development of financial literacy training materials and deliver training sessions for project beneficiaries. This position will collaborate with private sector partners and stakeholders to foster an enabling environment for developing innovative digital financial solutions. By leveraging resources, technologies, and comprehensive financial products, the role will focus on ensuring that smallholder farmers, particularly women, have access to digital finance through decentralized banking platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Private Sector Engagement and Partnership:

• Identify and engage financial service providers, private sector firms, business associations, and stakeholders to address climate challenges in cattle and goat market systems.
• Collaborate with private sectors, financial service providers, banks, and insurance companies to co-create solutions, such as grants and MoUs, leveraging resources and expertise.
• Work with large firms and SMEs to implement digital financial models that improve smallholder livestock farmers' access to agricultural lending, focusing on women and youth.
• Maintain regular communication with private sector partners to ensure timely implementation of agricultural credit access through decentralized banking platforms.
• Monitor and track the progress of private sector interventions, including activity accomplishments and financial expenditures.
• Support pre- and post-investment activities, assess their impact, and maintain relationships with private sector stakeholders, ensuring women and youth inclusion.
• Facilitate the development of digital financial models to enhance climate-smart livestock farming by increasing access to capital and technology.
• Collaborate with FSPs to develop and promote customized financial products for livestock farmers and SMEs through decentralized digital lending platforms.
• Facilitate financial literacy training for livestock farmers and SMEs, ensuring inclusion of women and youth, in partnership with private sector entities.
• Lead workshops and meetings to gather input for designing innovative digital financial products and services for targeted project participants.
• Collaborate with ICT service providers and financial entities to develop innovative solutions that enhance livestock productivity and drive enterprise growth, leveraging advanced digital financial inclusion mechanisms.

Adaptive Learning and Diversification for Climate Risk Management:

• Provide technical support to the project portfolio on financial inclusion, financial services, digital payment gateway, climate risk mitigation, alternative agricultural lending channels for farmers, and investment opportunities, ensuring alignment with inclusive and competitive livestock market development;
• Conduct feasibility tests of financial models and initiatives, serving as the technical expert and ensuring quality control oversight;
• Provide programmatic support on Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) to the project’s MEL and communications teams;
• Draft field activity-based reports, success stories, documents, and learning products focused on private sector engagement, extension services, and market access;
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of climate shocks, their impact on the livestock sub-sector, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation;
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with private sector partners to deliver financial products and services related to climate risk mitigation for the targeted population.

Coordination and Monitoring

• Closely work with the Grants Manager to develop the Call for Applications (CFA) to invite potential companies to implement the project's market systems development activities and promote financial inclusion for project farmers.
• Collaborate with the Grants, MEL Team, and Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) Advisor to provide programmatic input for creating tailored solutions, reviewing partnership contractual dynamics, and refining data-reporting methodologies to capture impact;
• Coordinate with regional focal points, technical leads, and the project field team to implement targeted interventions that strengthen climate-smart farming practices for livestock farmers, utilizing robust financial products for sustainable investment;
• Provide technical assistance and guidance in overseeing the project field implementation, analyzing engagement dynamics, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, and holding stakeholders accountable;
• Work with Grants, Admin, Operations, and other field teams to onboard and support consultants, while conducting study and market research, evaluating financial models, assessing feasibility, and ensuring data validation aligns with project goals.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Educational Background and Experience:

• A four-year bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, finance, development studies, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in private sector partnership and grants management, working with commercial banks or financial service providers, focusing on public-private partnerships, resource leveraging, and market-driven financial solutions, particularly within decentralized banking systems on digital platforms.
• Deep understanding of the financial access landscape for smallholder livestock farmers, including insurance policies and practices.
• Familiarity with the challenges smallholder livestock farmers, especially women, face in accessing agricultural lending, with the ability to recommend innovative solutions for sustainable investment.
• Experience in providing advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building services to livestock farmers, and SMEs with a focus on improving financial literacy and digital financial services to enhance farm productivity and profitability, especially for women and youth.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, and extension service providers.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and relationship-building skills, with experience working in partnership management with private companies, financial service providers, banks, associations, and NGOs;
• Ability to negotiate, advise, and resolve complex and sensitive issues, and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally;
• Proficient in writing clear, concise, and well-organized documents in both English and Bangla, with well-developed presentation skills, including the use of graphs and tables;
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure in an environment with multiple projects, shifting priorities, and tight deadlines;
• Fluency in Bangla and English, with experience in writing analytical reports and strong facilitation skills;
• Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and communication applications software, with a strong work ethic, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently or as part of a diversified team.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume to BangladeshLAN@joinav.org no later than October 13, 2024.
Please include the position title in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone. Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.