Description

Heifer Project Nepal is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. 

FUNCTION 

The Project Officer-Access to Finance will be responsible for leading access to finance components by strengthening the capacity of the participating farmers, cooperatives, and partner staff and SMEs across the PROSPER project.

This position will provide technical assistance on financial inclusion, market linkage, and enterprise development, including FEBL Lite. The Officer will strengthen cooperatives, farm entrepreneurs, and off-takers; facilitate access to markets, finance, and investment; and coordinate with BFIs, MFIs, and fintech/agri-tech partners to deliver farmer-friendly financial services. The role will also support loan documentation and monitoring and provide timely reports on progress, repayment, market outcomes, and partnerships.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (INCL APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE EFFORT)

Financial Inclusion, and Access to Fonance (50%)

• Support the identification of agricultural cooperatives and farmer clusters for PROSPER implementation.
• Assist to design and roll out courses to strengthen financial, business, and digital literacy, using Bank Saathis and digital facilitators to help SHFs digitize farm management with tools such as GeoKrishi Farm, create digital records for loan applications, and improve market readiness.
• Coordinate to increase the knowledge, and decision-making capacity of rural agricultural actors to access and use financial services by redesigning the FEBL (Financial Education and Business Literacy) Lite model/tools and delivering financial literacy classes.
• Provide intensive agri-business support to selected youth and returnee migrants to help them establish or expand agri-businesses and conduct awareness-raising campaigns to increase small-holder-farmers (SHFs)’ interest in financial services and products. Through peer support meetings, SHF borrowers will share experiences and encourage loan accountability.
• Strengthen cooperatives’ business hub functions by supporting upgrades to digital infrastructure, improving governance and financial management systems, and building staff capacity to design, market, and broker financial and nonfinancial products for SHFs and returnee migrants.
• Map and maintain an inventory of buyers, MSMEs, and business opportunities with limited access to finance and markets.
• Facilitate market linkages between cooperatives, farmers, SMEs, and reliable buyers, including B2B meetings, fair contract negotiation, and product aggregation.
• Support farmers, youth, cooperatives, and agribusinesses to develop or expand farm-based MSMEs through enterprise planning, financial literacy, digital skills, risk management, and access to BFIs (banks and financial institutions).
• Strengthen the capacity of cooperatives/borrowers in loan documentation, understanding loan terms, repayment planning, and the effective use of financial products and services.
• Develop and implement structured training and coaching plans for project staff, partners, cooperatives, Bank Saathis, agribusinesses, and farmers.
• Build the capacities of cooperative through business planning, marketing, negotiation, and investment readiness.
• Support cooperatives and enterprises to access productive infrastructure, equipment, and cost-sharing opportunities.
• Mentor Bank Saathis and cooperatives to improve financial service outreach, farmer support, and cooperative-bank relationships.
• Prepare practical training materials, presentations, handouts, and manuals for financial literacy, business development, value chain strengthening, and market linkage.

Collaboration, Partnership and Resource Leveraging (30%)

• Coordinate with local governments, Heifer teams, BFIs, MFIs, insurance companies, agri-tech/fintech firms, private sector actors, buyers, investors, and value chain stakeholders.
• Develop inclusive partnership models such as cooperative-bank partnerships, contract farming, out-grower schemes, joint ventures, buyback guarantees, MoUs, and risk-sharing arrangements.
• Facilitate exposure visits, networking events, trade fairs, and co-design meetings to promote learning, investment, and inclusive business development.
• Advocate for farmer-friendly financial systems, simplified documentation, improved trust between farmers and BFIs, and reduced transaction costs.
• Leverage public, private, and philanthropic resources to support enterprise growth, dairy sector development, and market system strengthening.

Monitoring, Review, Documentation and Reporting (15%)

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project progress, financial tool adoption, loan disbursement, utilization, repayment, business growth, and partnership performance.
• Track income improvement, employment generation, borrower feedback, market deals, bankable business plans, and success stories.
• Maintain updated records on producers, production, yield, marketable quantities, buyers, cooperatives, financial institution linkages, and training participation.
• Prepare field visit notes, event reports, monthly progress reports, repayment trend analysis, and recommendations for improvement.
• Ensure reports include disaggregated participant data, key outcomes, challenges, lessons learned, and follow-up actions for the regional and LAGANI Signature Program through Project Manager.

May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized university in Economics, Agriculture, Management, Agribusiness, or a related field with three (3) years of relevant work experience. Or a master’s degree in the above subjects, plus at least two (2) years of relevant experience.

• Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based programs. 

• Proven experience in financial inclusion, access to finance, engagement with private sector stakeholders and financial institutions. 

• Technical experience in value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture/livestock development.  

• Track record of building agriculture market linkage, strong client and stakeholder relationships. 

• Understanding financial procedures and expertise in facilitating loans and investment effectively. 

• Strong interpersonal/people management skills and excellent oral and written communication skills with proficiency in English and other local languages are a must 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis, documentation, and presentation. 

• Strong marketing, financial analysis, and management skills. 
• Ability to create innovative and unique solutions as per requirement. 

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES AND TRAITS:

• Ability to prepare and present documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
• Good team player with the ability to train and work cooperatively with diverse staff, including field staff in several locations.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to work with a flexible schedule
• Willingness to extensively travel to rural areas
• Able to effectively promote Heifer’s mission values, and objectives
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and gender equity.