Project Manager- Access to Finance Department 349 views

Access to Finance department

COLEAD is a non-profit interprofessional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the agri-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

COLEAD manages development projects in the agricultural and food sector in low and low-middle income countries, financed by donors (mainly the European Union).

More information is available on our website.

COLEAD is seeking an experienced Access to Finance Project Manager to contribute to the operational implementation, coordination and continuous improvement of the Access to Finance (A2F) component of its programmes. The position is part of COLEAD’s wider Access to Finance offering and may be assigned to a specific programme and country of operation; the current opening will primarily support the SPRING Programme in The Gambia.

Acting as the local focal point for Access to Finance activities, the Project Manager strengthens the investment readiness and financing access of actors operating within targeted horticultural and agribusiness value chains. The role combines ecosystem engagement, coordination of capacity-building and technical assistance, management of a matching grant facility, and programme reporting.

More specifically, the Project Manager will exercise the following responsibilities:

Identification of needs and development of Access to Finance interventions

Leveraging COLEAD diagnostic report, infrastructure and existing understanding of the local ecosystem:

• Collect, analyse and consolidate information regarding the access-to-finance needs, constraints and opportunities faced by target beneficiaries and ecosystem stakeholders, including MSMEs, producer organisations, business support organisations and financial institutions.
• Contribute to the identification, assessment and prioritisation of partner-beneficiaries eligible for Access to Finance support under the SPRING Programme.
• Apply COLEAD’s Access to Finance methodologies, tools and approaches to assess beneficiary needs and determine appropriate support pathways.
• Maintain an updated understanding of the local financial ecosystem, including financial institutions, grant providers, investors and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identify emerging needs, opportunities and lessons learned to continuously improve programme implementation.

Coordination of capacity-building and technical assistance activities

• Coordinate the implementation of Access to Finance capacity-building activities delivered under the SPRING Programme.
• Work closely with COLEAD’s Training Department to identify, plan and organise training activities responding to identified beneficiary needs.
• Work closely with COLEAD’s Technical Assistance Department to prepare, coordinate and monitor technical assistance interventions related to Access to Finance.
• Support the preparation of Terms of Reference, activity plans and mission documentation required for technical assistance assignments.
• Coordinate local stakeholders involved in training and technical assistance activities and facilitate effective communication between beneficiaries, experts and COLEAD teams.
• Coordinate the implementation and ensure quality of activities and contribute to the validation of outputs and deliverables.
• Promote and facilitate the use of COLEAD’s Access to Finance tools, resources and investment readiness materials by programme beneficiaries.

Management of the SPRING Matching Grant Facility

Depending on the final design of the matching grant, the activities might involve the following:

• Coordinate the operational implementation of the SPRING matching grant facility in accordance with approved procedures and eligibility criteria, potentially in partnership with existing financial institutions (MFI, bank or other)
• Organise outreach and communication activities to identify and attract eligible applicants.
• Coordinate calls for applications and support applicants throughout the submission process.
• Participate in the assessment, selection and recommendation of grant beneficiaries in accordance with established procedures.
• Coordinate contracting, disbursement and administrative follow-up processes related to awarded grants.
• Monitor the implementation of funded investments and ensure compliance with programme requirements.
• Track performance, results and impact generated by supported projects.
• Document implementation experience, lessons learned and good practices to support reporting, continuous improvement and potential future scale-up of the facility.
• Develop and manage a network of financial intermediaries participating in the co-financing of investments. Beyond their financial contribution, these intermediaries will play a critical role in channelling funds to equipment and service providers, as well as in structuring and monitoring financed transactions.
• You will be responsible for maintaining close relationships with these financial partners, negotiating collaboration arrangements, and ensuring the smooth functioning of financing processes in order to maximize the leverage effect of the mechanism.

Stakeholder engagement and ecosystem development

• One of the key responsibilities of this position will be to develop and manage a network of financial intermediaries participating in the co-financing of investments. Beyond their financial contribution, these intermediaries will play a critical role in channelling funds to equipment and service providers, as well as in structuring and monitoring financed transactions.
• You will be responsible for maintaining close relationships with these financial partners, negotiating collaboration arrangements, and ensuring the smooth functioning of financing processes in order to maximize the leverage effect of the mechanism.
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with relevant ecosystem stakeholders, including financial institutions, public agencies, business membership organisations, development partners and service providers.
• Represent the Access to Finance component of the SPRING Programme in meetings, workshops and stakeholder consultations when required.
• Facilitate collaboration between programme beneficiaries and relevant ecosystem actors that may contribute to improved access to finance and investment opportunities.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Ensure proper documentation of activities, beneficiaries, grant-supported projects and programme results.
• Contribute to programme monitoring, evaluation and learning processes.
• Prepare technical updates, activity reports, briefing notes and other reporting documents as required.
• Contribute to donor reporting and programme performance assessments.
• Ensure that programme data and supporting documentation are maintained in accordance with COLEAD procedures and donor requirements.

Other tasks

Depending on programme priorities and workload requirements, the Project Manager may also:

• Contribute to the development and improvement of Access to Finance tools, methodologies and operational processes.
• Support the identification and mobilisation of external service providers contributing to programme implementation.
• Participate in programme planning, coordination and internal knowledge-sharing activities.
• Contribute to specific events, missions and initiatives organised by COLEAD or its partners.

Required set of skills and competencies:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness or a related field. 
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in Access to Finance / SME finance 
• Demonstrated experience assessing, supporting or financing MSMEs, including the analysis of business models, investment projects, business plans and financial information. 
• Demonstrated experience working with agricultural value chains, agri-MSMEs, producer organisations, cooperatives or agribusiness support programmes. 
• Demonstrated experience managing matching grant facilities, challenge funds, business acceleration programmes or similar funding mechanisms. 
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing partnerships with financial institutions (banks, microfinance institutions, financial intermediaries, etc.).
• Proven experience coordinating capacity-building, technical assistance or business development interventions involving multiple beneficiaries and external service providers. 
• Proven experience managing or implementing donor-funded projects, development programmes or business support initiatives. 
• Demonstrated experience engaging with financial institutions, investors, grant providers or other funding organisations. 
• Good understanding of the agribusiness ecosystem, MSME financing landscape and relevant support institutions in The Gambia or West Africa.

Competencies

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess business performance, investment opportunities and financing needs. 
• Strong project management and coordination capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously. 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and relationship management skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation of findings. 
• Ability to operate independently, take initiative and manage activities with limited supervision. 
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail. 
• Full professional proficiency in English; French is an asset.

Contractual Information

This is a full-time role based in Banjul, offered under an independent consultancy agreement for an initial period of one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal.

You will be based in The Gambia, but travel within The Gambia or to other ACP countries and Belgium for short-term missions, might be required.

The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Joining COLEAD means becoming part of a passionate multicultural team. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy an enriching experience within a civil society organisation working for cooperation and development in the agri-food industry. COLEAD’s values are commitment, difference, humanity, performance and continuous improvement.

To apply, please send your CV + cover letter + references by Wednesday 1st of July at noon (12pm) CET.