Component 2 Lead: Access To Finance, USAID/Rwanda Modernizing Agricult

Project Overview and Role:

The United States Agency for International Development/Rwanda (USAID/Rwanda) intends to award an acquisition activity through a competitive process, subject to availability of funding. The Modernizing Agriculture (ModAg) Activity aims to support increased agriculture productivity and income, access to finance and markets, and access and consumption of nutritious food products in Rwanda, while increasing the resilience of the agriculture and food systems to the changing climate. ModAg will use a facilitative approach to support market actors from the public and private sector to develop Rwanda’s agricultural sector. 

Palladium seeks a Component 2 Lead to spearhead the activities under Intermediate Result 2 Access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses increased. They will lead ModAg activities focused facilitating access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses. Activities under this Component are expected to improve financial products and services focused on the agricultural sector; improve financial literacy for farmers and agribusinesses; and increase value chain financing via private sector actors. 

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• In line with overall project strategies and approaches, manage the development, planning, and implementation of activities to facilitate increased access to finance among farmers and agribusinesses  
• Leads development and implementation of the project’s efforts to expand financial access through traditional and alternative financial institutions. 
• Collaborates with farmers, agricultural enterprises, and partner organizations to understand the financial needs of farmers and agro-entrepreneurs 
• Develops partnerships with traditional and alternative sources of finance to develop new products and services to meet the financing needs of SMEs in growth-oriented sectors 
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team of the Project and support the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party in oversight of project staff and activities 
• Co-lead and oversee programmatic functions, i.e., development of work plans, budgets, quarterly/annual reports, and effective implementation of program strategy 
• Support effective and open communication with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, USAID, Project Director, other Component Leads, project operations teams, and other relevant stakeholders   
• Represent the project at meetings and events with GOR officials, agricultural community, NGOs, non-profits, and other public and private stakeholders  
• Work with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and other project staff to integrate lessons learned, performance monitoring, and other inputs to continuously refine activities, management practices, and implementation 
• As a senior leader and technical advisor, support project leadership, operations, and management resources to ensure activities are implemented in accordance with Palladium policies and USAID regulations and procedures 
• In collaboration with the M&E team, ensure relevant staff use, maintain, and regularly upload data to support monitoring and evaluation of activities and results 

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a relevant subject (Business, Economics, Finance, International Development) or a BA and 7+ years of relevant experience. 
• At least five years’ experience implementing access to finance and/or financial inclusion activities in Rwanda or the region 
• At least three years’ experience on donor-funded projects, USAID experience a plus 
• Experience working with financial institutions and the financial ecosystem in Rwanda to expand access to finance for the private sector 
• Demonstrated experience in senior management positions for USAID programs of similar or greater scope and complexity  
• Strong analytical skills and problem solving, including demonstrated ability to effectively communicate strategies or plans to stakeholders and co-workers 
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including ability to develop and communicate a common vision and foster collaboration across an interdisciplinary team 
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders 
• Experience in monitoring and documenting project activities and outcomes 
• Excellent communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills 
• Strong supervision skills managing teams 
• Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred 
• Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred 
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English and Kinyarwanda