Project Manager - Access to Finance

COLEAD is a non\-profit interprofessional\nassociation founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement\nall actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the\nagri\-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable\nDevelopment Goals (SDGs).<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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COLEAD manages development projects in the\nagricultural and food sector in low and low\-middle income countries, financed\nby donors (mainly the European Union).<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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More information is available on our <\/span><\/span>website<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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COLEAD is seeking an <\/span><\/span>experienced Access to\nFinance Project Manager<\/span><\/span><\/b> to contribute to the operational implementation,\ncoordination and continuous improvement of the Access to Finance (A2F)\ncomponent of its programmes. The position is part of COLEAD\u2019s wider Access to\nFinance offering and may be assigned to a specific programme and country of\noperation; the current opening will primarily support the SPRING Programme in\nThe Gambia<\/span><\/span>[1]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Acting as the local focal point for Access to\nFinance activities, the Project Manager strengthens the investment readiness\nand financing access of actors operating within targeted horticultural and\nagribusiness value chains. The role combines ecosystem engagement, coordination\nof capacity\-building and technical assistance, management of a matching grant\nfacility, and programme reporting.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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More specifically, the Project Manager will\nexercise the following responsibilities:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Identification\nof needs and development of Access to Finance interventions<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Leveraging COLEAD diagnostic report,\ninfrastructure and existing understanding of the local ecosystem:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Collect, analyse and consolidate information regarding the\n access\-to\-finance needs, constraints and opportunities faced by target\n beneficiaries and ecosystem stakeholders, including MSMEs, producer\n organisations, business support organisations and financial institutions.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to the identification, assessment and prioritisation of\n partner\-beneficiaries eligible for Access to Finance support under the\n SPRING Programme.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Apply COLEAD's Access to Finance methodologies, tools and\n approaches to assess beneficiary needs and determine appropriate support\n pathways.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Maintain an updated understanding of the local financial ecosystem,\n including financial institutions, grant providers, investors and other\n relevant stakeholders.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Identify emerging needs, opportunities and lessons learned to\n continuously improve programme implementation.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordination\nof capacity\-building and technical assistance activities<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordinate the implementation of Access to Finance\n capacity\-building activities delivered under the SPRING Programme.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Work closely with COLEAD's Training Department to identify, plan\n and organise training activities responding to identified beneficiary\n needs.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Work closely with COLEAD's Technical Assistance Department to\n prepare, coordinate and monitor technical assistance interventions related\n to Access to Finance.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Support the preparation of Terms of Reference, activity plans and\n mission documentation required for technical assistance assignments.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordinate local stakeholders involved in training and technical\n assistance activities and facilitate effective communication between\n beneficiaries, experts and COLEAD teams.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordinate the implementation and ensure quality of activities and\n contribute to the validation of outputs and deliverables.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Promote and facilitate the use of COLEAD's Access to Finance tools,\n resources and investment readiness materials by programme beneficiaries.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Management\nof the SPRING Matching Grant Facility<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span>Depending on the final design of the matching grant, the activities\nmight involve the following :<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordinate the operational implementation of the SPRING matching\n grant facility in accordance with approved procedures and eligibility\n criteria, potentially in partnership with existing financial institutions\n (MFI, bank or other)<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Organise outreach and communication activities to identify and\n attract eligible applicants.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordinate calls for applications and support applicants throughout\n the submission process.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Participate in the assessment, selection and recommendation of\n grant beneficiaries in accordance with established procedures.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Coordinate contracting, disbursement and administrative follow\-up\n processes related to awarded grants.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Monitor the implementation of funded investments and ensure\n compliance with programme requirements.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Track performance, results and impact generated by supported\n projects.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Document implementation experience, lessons learned and good\n practices to support reporting, continuous improvement and potential\n future scale\-up of the facility.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Develop and manage a network of financial intermediaries\n participating in the co\-financing of investments. Beyond their financial\n contribution, these intermediaries will play a critical role in\n channelling funds to equipment and service providers, as well as in\n structuring and monitoring financed transactions.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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You will be responsible for maintaining close relationships with\n these financial partners, negotiating collaboration arrangements, and\n ensuring the smooth functioning of financing processes in order to\n maximize the leverage effect of the mechanism.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Stakeholder engagement and\necosystem development<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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One of the key responsibilities of this position will be to develop\n and manage a network of financial intermediaries participating in the\n co\-financing of investments. Beyond their financial contribution, these\n intermediaries will play a critical role in channelling funds to equipment\n and service providers, as well as in structuring and monitoring financed\n transactions.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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You will be responsible for maintaining close relationships with\n these financial partners, negotiating collaboration arrangements, and\n ensuring the smooth functioning of financing processes in order to\n maximize the leverage effect of the mechanism.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Develop and maintain constructive relationships with relevant\n ecosystem stakeholders, including financial institutions, public agencies,\n business membership organisations, development partners and service\n providers.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Represent the Access to Finance component of the SPRING Programme\n in meetings, workshops and stakeholder consultations when required.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Facilitate collaboration between programme beneficiaries and\n relevant ecosystem actors that may contribute to improved access to\n finance and investment opportunities.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Monitoring, evaluation and\nreporting<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Ensure proper documentation of activities, beneficiaries,\n grant\-supported projects and programme results.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to programme monitoring, evaluation and learning\n processes.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Prepare technical updates, activity reports, briefing notes and\n other reporting documents as required.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to donor reporting and programme performance\n assessments.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Ensure that programme data and supporting documentation are\n maintained in accordance with COLEAD procedures and donor requirements.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Other tasks<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>
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Depending on programme priorities and\nworkload requirements, the Project Manager may also:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to the development and improvement of Access to Finance\n tools, methodologies and operational processes.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Support the identification and mobilisation of external service\n providers contributing to programme implementation.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Participate in programme planning, coordination and internal\n knowledge\-sharing activities.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to specific events, missions and initiatives organised\n by COLEAD or its partners.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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[1]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> The overall objective of this\nnew intervention is to enhance The Gambia\u2019s horticultural sector\u2019s contribution\nto economic growth, food security, food safety, and nutrition by accelerating a\npeople\-centred (particularly for women and youth), resilient, market\-driven,\nand nutrition\-sensitive agro\-ecological transition. The specific objectives are\nto i) increase investments, productivity, income and working opportunities\nespecially for women, young people, and marginalized groups within targeted\nhorticultural value chains; ii) to improve plant health, food safety, quality\nmanagement, and sustainable agroecological practices among horticultural\nproducers and processors, especially women and youth; and iii) to strengthen\ndiversified, nutrition\-sensitive, and agro\-ecologically produced horticultural\nvalue chains.<\/span>
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As\npart of the programme launch, COLEAD is establishing a new national office in\nBanjul and recruiting a dedicated team to support its implementation.<\/span>
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Requirements<\/h3>
Experience<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>
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Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration,\n Agribusiness or a related field.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Minimum 8 years of professional experience in Access to Finance / SME\n finance<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Demonstrated experience assessing, supporting or financing MSMEs,\n including the analysis of business models, investment projects, business\n plans and financial information.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Demonstrated experience working with agricultural value chains,\n agri\-MSMEs, producer organisations, cooperatives or agribusiness support\n programmes.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Demonstrated experience managing matching grant facilities,\n challenge funds, business acceleration programmes or similar funding\n mechanisms.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Demonstrated experience developing and managing partnerships with\n financial institutions (banks, microfinance institutions, financial\n intermediaries, etc.).<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Proven experience coordinating capacity\-building, technical\n assistance or business development interventions involving multiple\n beneficiaries and external service providers.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Proven experience managing or implementing donor\-funded projects,\n development programmes or business support initiatives.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Demonstrated experience engaging with financial institutions,\n investors, grant providers or other funding organisations.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Good understanding of the agribusiness ecosystem, MSME financing\n landscape and relevant support institutions in The Gambia or West Africa.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Competencies<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>
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Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess business\n performance, investment opportunities and financing needs.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Strong project management and coordination capabilities, with the\n ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and relationship\n management skills.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report\n writing and presentation of findings.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Ability to operate independently, take initiative and manage\n activities with limited supervision.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Full professional proficiency in English; French is an asset.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Benefits<\/h3>
This is a full\-time position based in Banjul, with an initial contract duration of one (1) year, renewable.<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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You will be based in The Gambia, but travel within The Gambia or to other ACP countries and Belgium for short\-term missions, might be required.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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The position is to be filled as soon as possible.<\/span>
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We offer a competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards and reflective of the candidate\u2019s experience and qualifications. The contractual arrangement will be determined by COLEAD based on the candidate\u2019s profile, experience, and the applicable legal framework in The Gambia, following a careful analysis of the most appropriate contractual modality.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Joining COLEAD means becoming part of a passionate multicultural team. It's also an opportunity to enjoy an enriching experience within a civil society organisation working for cooperation and development in the agri\-food industry. COLEAD's values are commitment, difference, humanity, performance and continuous improvement.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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To apply, please send your CV + cover letter + references by <\/span><\/span><\/b>Wednesday 1st of July at noon (12pm) CET.<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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