Job Expired

Tasks and responsibilities
The Forest Finance and Investment Technical Advisor will be responsible for the following:
Technical Assistance (TA) to support the implementation of an investment readiness programme for wood-based SMEs.
• Lead the design and implementation of the investment readiness programme
• Lead business diagnostic and profiling of wood-based SMEs useful for identifying technical, governance and financial needs for the design of SME investment readiness programme.
• Prepare ToRs of reference, milestones, deliverables, and selection criteria for the identification of a Business Development Service (BDS).
• Review BDS providers’ tools and approaches used for training, mentoring, and coaching to ensure appropriateness in meeting SME training and advisory support needs.
• Contribute to the training and coaching SMEs through facilitating training workshops and, mentoring and coaching sessions delivered under the SMEs investment readiness programme

Develop the capacity of bank and non-bank financial service providers to develop and deliver appropriate financial products and services to wood-based SMEs.
• Lead the capacity development needs of financial service providers and develop priorities for technical assistance.
• Organize training workshops, seminars, and other identified capacity building activities of financial service providers.
• Develop/set up financing criteria for sustainable finance / green finance.
• Facilitate local financial institutions to mobilize long-term finance through DFIs and other appropriate sources of finance.
• Develop monitoring tools to track project progress in terms of unlocking private finance for wood-based SMEs.

Provide support to attract investment in the wood sector.
• Organize Business-to-business meetings, investment fairs and expos. Assess required data and information for investment decision-making and develop information tools and platforms for potential investors.
• Facilitate policy dialogue with government representatives, investment authorities and other key stakeholders (including private sector investors) in order to push for policy changes and strengthen regulations in the wood sector.
• Any other duty assigned by supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Master’s degree in Finance, Agribusiness, Economics, Business Management or any related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the areas of finance, development finance, banking, and investment.
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in an advisory role in support to SMEs and capacity building of financial service providers.
• Experience in working with the private sector and financing institutions.
• Knowledge and understanding of local and international forestry and wood sector regulations and standard
• Experience with fintech solutions tools and business diagnostic tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Good level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Experience in assessment of investment operations, development finance and banking.
• Experience in capacity development of SMEs to work with bank and non-bank financiers and the ability/readiness of SMEs to access finance
• Strong understanding of investment appraisal techniques and financial modelling.
• Knowledge of financing schemes in the context of Uganda and other countries is an advantage.
• Experience and knowledge of the commercial forestry sector and wood processing is an important asset for the candidate.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a diverse team. Experience in working in multi-cultural, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and professional domains.
• Proven analytical capacity and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, analyze and solve problems and prioritize issues.
• Ability to be flexible, versatile and adapt to changing environments.
• Ability to plan and deliver work according to time scales and required milestones with a strong commitment to quality and paying attention to detail.