Associate Programme Advisor, Access to Finance (LICA 9)

Consultant Programme & Policy Finance & Economy

Overview

Support implementation of access to finance initiatives including monitoring and evaluation.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in finance, business administration, actuarial science, management, economics or a related field.
• A minimum of two years of experience in project/programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in banking, impact finance, development finance is required.
• Experience in designing, structuring and implementing innovative and blended finance initiatives.
• Experience working with partners in the public or private sector, particularly financial institutions.
• Fluency in English is required.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The goal of this job function is to support the implementation of access to finance initiatives including portfolio monitoring, evaluation, and risk management.

Work Location

Kampala, Uganda

Expected duration

One year, with possibility of extension

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: ITC is the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, fully dedicated to supporting small businesses of developing countries to trade. This post is a local position based in Uganda and located within the Sector for Enterprise Competitiveness The post focuses on advancing finance for Uganda’s Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) as a key pathway to dignified and fulfilling work for young people, particularly women. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct suoervision of Senior Programme Officer, Access to Finance, the Advisor will be responsible for the following duties: • Assist with the design and structuring of impact driven, innovative blended finance facilities including grant programmes, digital loans and micro loans particularly for the creative sector. • Support the Identification, appraisal, due diligence, contracting and onboarding strategic implementing partners including private sector (BSOs, credit unions, mobile service providers) and public sector partners. • Contribute to the Development of risk assessments, disbursement strategies and monitoring frameworks for blended finance initiatives. • Assist in Pipeline review, financial analysis and due diligence on all portfolios ensuring quality control and risk management. • Collaborate with internal and external teams including project staff, finance team, legal team and other implementing partner organizations to help ensure coordinated, effective and seamless implementation of project deliverables. • Provide support to management of assigned programmes/projects activities, implementing partners, consultants and beneficiaries. • Manage and report on activity budgets related to access to finance initiatives. • Contribut to Impact monitoring and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, technical and financial reports for the access to finance activities of the project. • Carry out research on selected aspects of programmes, emerging issues and trends, risks and market gaps, etc., to include collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources to support stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization.. • Support the development of research-based business cases for tailored CCI financial products and collaborate with financial actors to support adoption into their portfolio strategies. • Contribute to the development of the angel investment ecosystem through developing and implementing innovative strategies to catalyze action, including providing capacity building to both investors and investees. • Assist in planning, coordinating, and facilitating stakeholder events (e.g., workshops, round-tables, webinars), and support participation in regional sector-related convenings by preparing materials, presentations, and documentation of outcomes.. • Assist in designing and implementing of programme activities related to communications including documenting impact stories, learnings derived from blended finance initiatives, advocacy messages, etc. • Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive strategic support and engagement. • Performs other duties as required. Copyright: The personnel has to ensure that s/he has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform his/her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the Consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. S/he has further to ensure to obtain accreditation to event(s), if required.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree in finance, business administration, actuarial science, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of two years of experience in project/programme management, administration or related area is required Experience in banking, impact finance, development finance is required. Experience in designing, structuring and implementing innovative and blended finance initiatives. Experience working with partners in the public or private sector, particularly financial institutions. COMPETENCIES • Professionalism: Financial analysis skills, knowledge and networks in Uganda’s finance ecosystem, understanding of SME financing needs and challenges specifically in the creatives sector. Understanding of youth development, innovation, and inclusive growth issues Knowledge of market systems development approaches in a blended finance context. knowledge of structuring blended finance products. Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. • Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

This contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNOPS. This vacancy is open for locally residing Uganda nationals. Applicants must be authorized to work in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: careers.un.org