Programme Advisor, Access to Finance (NPSA 10)

Result of Service

The focus of the role is support the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of access to finance activities within the Enhancing Capacities of Young Women and Youth-Led Enterprises for Regional Trade (ECoWYERT) project.

Work Location

Lusaka, Zambia

Expected duration

One year, with possible 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. The Enhancing Capacities of Young Women and Youth-Led Enterprises for Regional Trade (ECoWYERT) project is aimed at building resilience and poverty alleviation by enhancing capacities of young women and youth-led MSMEs to leverage AfCFTA opportunities. The project offers a package of whole-of-market solutions which will unlock the challenge of income generation as well as creation of additional, sustained and improved jobs for socio-economic transformation and ultimately, poverty alleviation and resilience. This will be done by building the entrepreneurship, innovation, financial, and market-readiness capacities of youth, especially young women in enterprise. These interventions will be in the form of access to finance, business development support and market access, along with enhancement of the policy, regulatory and collaborative environment while amplifying the youth voice. The overarching goal of the project will be achieved by enhancing the capacities of youth-owned MSMEs, particularly young women from rural and peri-urban areas, to leverage the AfCFTA opportunity for income generation, job creation and poverty reduction through enterprise, trade, finance and innovation. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Officer – Access to Finance, the Programme Advisor, Access to Finance will be responsible for the following duties: • Coordinate the development, implementation, management and evaluation of impact driven access to finance interventions, including blended finance facilities; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Work closely with the gender expert to develop an implementation strategy that promotes strong benefits for women. • Coordinate the development of relevant policies and frameworks. • Undertake the design of participant selection tools, including due diligence, on-boarding and contracting. • Prepare various written outputs, e.g. donor reports, draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Undertake outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Represent the project as technical lead in field missions, including provision of guidance to donors, external consultants, government officials, other program partners and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.), within the specifics of access to finance interventions. • Carry out in-depth 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. • Support the development of research-based business cases for tailored financial products relevant to target sectors and collaborate with financial actors to support adoption into their portfolio strategies. • Support resource mobilization efforts and strategies for programme sustainability. • 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 (Master’s degree or equivalent) in finance, business administration, actuarial science, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in banking, impact finance, development finance. Experience in designing and implementing innovative and blended finance initiatives. Experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: In depth understanding of MSME financing needs and challenges including in the informal trade sector. 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 conduct 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. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • 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. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • 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. Knowledge of another UN Secretariat language is an advantage.

Additional Information

This vacancy is open for nationals of Zambia. This contract will be administered on behalf of ITC by UNDP. 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.