Agriculture Finance Specialist at Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR)

Agriculture Finance Specialist

Terms of Reference Agriculture Finance Specialist

Title: Agriculture Finance Specialist

Location: Kigali- Rwanda with frequent travels to implementing Districts.

Reporting: The Agriculture Finance Specialist will report to Project Coordinator Project name: “MSME Financing Program”

Job Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Project Coordinator, the Access to Finance Specialist will provide inter alia support in the implementation of project activities that aim to increase access to financial services as follows:

• Develop and implement the intervention strategy, and operational plans and prepare quarterly and annual implementation reports for the donor.

Participate in preparation of the component Annual Work plan and Budget;

• Lead the development of financial products tailored to women and youth to support MFIs and SACCOs
• Conduct field visits to financial institutions and hold consultative discussions on terms and conditions of financial services offered by financial institutions.
• Regularly monitor the implementation of the access to finance interventions on their results against the set objectives and indicators of success.

• Advise and assist MFIs and SACCOs in the design tools for appraising the loan applications as well as tools for monitoring and reporting on progress towards achieving project objectives.
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of workshops and presentations aimed at sharing experiences among project beneficiaries and Participating Financial Institutions (PFI).
• Advise and assist in the preparation of terms of reference for consultancy work planned under technical assistance & capacity building by supporting the review process and supervising various consultancy services.
• Manage partnerships with financial service providers enhancing the development of innovative financial services suitable for stakeholders in the agriculture value chains;
• Facilitate and support FIs in negotiations with Business Development Fund (BDF) and other institutions providing guarantee facility and monitor their implementation;
• Improve access to finance for underserved areas through advising and assisting financial service providers to design and implement new financial services and products;
• Engage with partner financial institutions to facilitate additional capital investment into the agriculture value chains, building the capacity of targeted financial institutions;
• Prepare regular progress reports, and other reports as required
• Carry out any other assignment given by the AMIR management,

Qualifications, Experience, and Technical Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Agri-business, Agricultures, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred;
• Minimum five years of experience working in agriculture financing, microfinance development, banking institutions, rural finance, and/or agro insurance in Rwanda
• Experience developing and/or marketing inclusive financial products, including loans, insurance, savings, payment, etc;
• Proven experience in providing capacity building to MSMEs and cooperatives involved in agriculture value chains
• Experience is supporting smallholder farmers to access financial services
• Proven experience in the banking/microfinance sector or financial services projects with hands-on experience in financial inclusion/micro-finance
• Knowledge of financial products development especially in the agriculture sector
• Excellent writing skills coupled with strong coordination, networking and relationshipbuilding skills;
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work in a team setting, taking initiative and performing multiple tasks;
• Proven experience working with the private finance sector;
• Fluent in English or French (reading, writing and speaking)
• Proficient in use of MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);
• Able to travel to project sites.

How to apply

Interested and eligible applicants should submit the following documents to info@amir.org.rw not later than 21^st April 2024 at 5:00 pm.

Send the documents as one folder and in the subject line, fill in the position of Agriculture Finance Specialist;

• Motivation letter explaining your suitability for the position,
• Curriculum vitae with 3 referee names,
• National ID.
• Copies of the Academic documents.
• Criminal record.

 Only Shortlisted candidates shall be contacted for the interview.