Agriculture Finance Specialist at Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD): (Deadline 6 August 2022)

Background Information

Job Title:  Agriculture Finance Specialist

Job grade: JG6

Department/Unit: Business Development

Duo Reports to: Manager of Agriculture Portfolio

Direct Report: N/A

Indirect Reports: N/A

• Contract Terms – Agriculture Finance Specialist will be hired for a period of 17 months. The agriculture finance specialist is expected to work full-time based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Purpose of the Job

BRD would like to recruit an Agriculture finance specialist to support the Agriculture Unit in the management of the project which aims at facilitating the Access to Finance in the 3 value chains: poultry, piggery and animal feeds processing value chains. The proposed project model would work on 3 windows: technical assistance to value chain actors, capacity building of Participating Financial institutions and Interest rate subsidy applied to loans provided to the value chain actors. The agriculture finance specialist will focus on strengthening the capacity of the Project implementation Unit (PIU) and on providing financial and technical guidance in structuring agriculture financial products and services and all related transactions. The agriculture finance specialists also expected to advise on the agriculture project implementation improvements and the stakeholders management. The agriculture finance specialist will ensure that all project activities are executed in accordance with the project related Action proposal and budget, and the guidance provided by BRD management, the Steering Committee, NIRDA and ENABEL as stakeholders. The agriculture finance specialist is also expected to assist the Bank on the development of agriculture related financial strategy, products, and instruments to improve the Bank’s visibility and performance in agriculture sector finance.

Main Responsibilities of the Job

• To provide relevant assistance to the Agriculture Project implementation Unit in all aspects of project management and growth of business, to ensure the effective implementation of all financing windows under the project.
• Develop and implement the intervention strategy, operational plans and prepare quarterly and annual implementation reports for the stakeholders.
• Advise the PIU on the engagement and relationship management with project stakeholders including: MINAGRI, ENABEL, NIRDA as well as other project implementing partners (e.g., Banks, MFIs, Saccos, agriculture value chains investors).
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of workshops and presentations aimed at sharing experiences among project beneficiaries and Participating Financial Institutions (PFI).
• Conduct the appraisal of the Banks, MFIs, and SACCOs vis a vis BNR prudential standards and recommend the legal department the successful PFIs to sign participating agreement with BRD.
• Monitor the utilization of Interest Rate Subsidy and support the agriculture team to set the strategies of utilizing at least 75% of the total installment in every semester.
• Provide technical/financial appraisal notes of agriculture value chain loan proposals by conducting risk assessments and other aspects of the due diligence processes on all relevant components of the applying businesses.
• Conduct field visit to offices of participating financial institutions and hold consultative discussions on terms and conditions of interest rate subsidy facility to ensure the approved subsidy is used strictly following the eligibility criteria stated in the agreement.
• In collaboration with the agriculture unit and project manager, support the NIRDA/Enabel supervision missions by providing all required documentation in respect to project implementation progress.
• Advise and assist in preparation of terms of reference for consultancy work planned under the technical assistance & capacity building window by supporting the review process and supervise various consultancy services.
• Provide technical back up to the agriculture unit team in the project appraisal process and advise on strategies of pipeline development under the interest rate subsidy window.
• Provide induction training to all project staff on project management life cycle as well as knowledge transfer along the implementation process.
• Advise and assist in the design tools for appraising the loan applications as well as tools for monitoring and reporting on progress towards achieving project objectives.
• Carry out any other assignment given by the BRD management, the Steering Committee and/or NIRDA and Enabel.

Performance indicators

• Weekly reporting to supervisor.
• Monthly briefing note outlining key issues for BRD Management attention.
• Quarterly progress reports to the Agriculture Unit Manager describing major activities undertaken and tasks accomplished during the reporting period and challenges hindering implementation process.
• End of year performance report.

Working relationships 

• All departments, NIRDA and Enabel

Professional, academic qualifications and experience

• A Master’s degree in project management, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agricultural finance, or related discipline.
• A degree in agricultural sciences, agribusiness, economics, or related discipline.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in financial sector services, with at least 3 years of professional experience in agricultural project finance and/or agricultural project management positions.

Core competencies

• Strong financial skills, including investment analysis, risk assessments, conducting due diligence, deal structuring and performing financial modeling.
• Experience of working on projects specifically related with agriculture will be an added advantage.
•  A track record of negotiation and underwriting skills.
• Exceptional communication, writing and analytical skills.
• Good organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Power point, Word, etc.).
• Proficiency in written and spoken English. Kinyarwanda is an added advantage.

Performance indicators

• Execution of marketing campaigns
• Increasing social media engagement
• Turnaround time on responding to requests from clients and media
• Customer and stakeholders’ satisfaction

Working relationships

• All departments
• All stakeholders of AFIRR project

Professional, academic qualifications and experience

• A university degree in communications, marketing, journalism, development studies or other related studies
• A minimum of two-year working experience as communications officer or any other related positions

• Strong digital and offline marketing skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and programmatic skills
• Able to work with graphic designer
• Able to take initiative and work well independently and as part of a team
• Good understanding in media and stakeholder liaison and engagement strategies
• Fluency in managing social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn etc.) and other related supporting applications, including their analytic platforms

Core competencies

Competencies shall include but not limited to:

• Proven experience as marketing officer or similar role
• Solid knowledge of marketing techniques and principles
• Thorough understanding of social media and web analytics
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
• Creativity and commercial awareness
• A team player with a customer-oriented approach
• Event management and coordination skills
• Big picture thinking