Consultancy: International Value Chain Finance Specialist/Team Leader - ADB LAO Sustainable Agrifood Systems Sector Project

Position:International Value Chain Finance Specialist/Team Leader

Background:Winrock International is recruiting anInternational Value Chain Finance Specialistto serve as a Team Leader for anAsian DevelopmentBank(ADB)opportunity in Laos focused on Sustainable Agrifood systems.The projectwill contribute tofood security and nutrition improved, and agricultural value addition increasedin a climate resilient and gender-responsive manner in Lao PDR.

This position will be a part-time consultancy that will require a commitment of 26 person months over a 5 year period.

Location:Remote with travel to Laosrequired

Major Responsibilities:

• Support theProject Management Unit (PMU)andProjectImplementationUnit (PIUs)in the preparation of monthly,quarterlyand annual reporting obligations under the grant/loan;

• Provide a point of contact between the governmentMinistryofIndustryand Commerce(MOIC)and ADB with project management structures to coordinate activities of individualspecialists;

• Assistin the preparation of annual workplans and associated budgets for consideration by the government andADB;

• Assist the PMU in coordinating the activities of the other consulting services and non-consulting services required under theproject;

• Assistin the development ofaproject performance monitoringsystem(PPMS)that reports implementation progress of both project outputs and the preparation of PIU reportingresponsibilities;

• Support the PMU office and PIUs inmaintainingaccurateaccounts and financial reporting as required under the loan/grant;

• Manage the inputs of specialist consultants engaged through theImplementation SupportConsultants(ISC)contract and guide their activities to ensure inputs aretimelyand achieve their intended purpose; and

• Other tasksagreedwith the MOIC's Executing Agency.

Technical Responsibilities:

• Support the PMU and PIUs in the screening of potentialparticipating financialinstitutions (PFIs)wishing to join the project (Micro, Small and MediumEnterprise PromotionFund-MSMEPFandLoaAccess toFinance Fund- LAFF);

• Assistin promoting the development ofappropriate loanproducts for value chainlending;

• Review and update the terms of reference of consultants, coordinate the sequencing and alignment of activities across all consulting engagements forcoherence;

• Support the technical advisory services on climate resilient agriculture and commercialization to smallholder borrowers from LAFF to enhance their viability in loanrepayments;

• Oversee the implementation of climate resilient nutrition services in the targetedvillages;

• Support the technical advisory services available to commercial producers of priority crops in the target districts (MSMEPF) toutilizethe services available and theiradoption;

• Assistin linking climate adapted infrastructure in support of commercial production of target crops to enhance productivity and strengthen market linkages, and

• Other tasks requested by government and ADB in terms of overallperformancesof the consulting services.

Qualifications

Education:Master'squalification or tertiary qualification from a recognized institutionmajoring in agriculture, banking, accounting, ruralcreditor business administration.

Experience:

• At least 10yearsexperiencein rural creditactivities in the southeast Asia context.

• At least 5 years of experience working as a team leader for international development projects

• Familiar with the requirements of the international developmentagencies requirementsin financial intermediary designed projects.

• Experience working in LAO PDR value chain and banking and financial institutions (preferred)

• Experience managing alarge andmulti-disciplinaryteam

• Experience working with ADB preferred.

• ExperienceworkinginASEAN countries-particularly inLao PDR,Vietnam, andCambodiaconsideredasanadvantage

Computer Skills:Proficiencyin using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advancedproficiencyin Excel is preferred.

Communication Skills:Strong written and verbal communication skills arerequired, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.

Language:Fluent inEnglish (written and spoken),Thaior Lao language skills (preferred)

Physical Demands:This position requires travel to Laos

This position is basedon-goingdonor funding.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal treatment for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.