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 Associate Project Officer will primarily support the implementation of the PROSPER project and serve as the liaison between the project and the LAGANI signature program team, coordinating planning, communication, follow-up, and capacity-building support for participating farmers, cooperatives, partner staff, and SMEs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (INCL APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE EFFORT)

Access to Finance Facilitation (40%)

• Assist the project team in evaluating and onboarding the identified cooperatives, and agri-enterprises.
• Together with LAGANI signature program team liaise with BFIs, MFIs, insurers, fintech firms, and Bank/Kishan Sathis to connect participants with suitable financial services.
• Support the project team in loan applications, business plans, financial records, and other required documents.
• Assist the project team to facilitate FEBL Lite and LAGANI financing initiatives and track approvals, disbursement, utilization, and repayment.

Capacity Building and Digital Finance Facilitation (25%)

• Coordinate training, coaching, and mentoring with project teams and partner organizations.
• Strengthening financial literacy, record-keeping, investment readiness, and adoption of digital finance.
• Assist the team to develop practical learning materials and facilitate demonstrations, peer learning, and exposure visits.

Partnership Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Assist the team as a liaison person for the coordination among PROSPER, LAGANI, local governments, cooperatives, financial institutions, and private-sector partners.
• Support the team in facilitating meetings, consultations, MoUs, cooperative–bank partnerships, and joint initiatives.
• Follow up on partner commitments and address communication and coordination gaps.

Documentation, Learning and Reporting (10%)

• Support the MELS team to monitor financial services, loan performance, market linkages, enterprise progress, and partnership results.
• Consolidate information from project teams, field staff, and partners and maintain accurate records.
• Assist the project and communication team in preparing timely progress reports, meeting minutes, case studies, lessons learned, and recommendations.

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 two years of relevant work experience. Or a master’s degree in the above subjects, with at least one year 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 skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Effective oral and written communication skills with proficiency in English and local languages are required.
• 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: 

• Demonstrate the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism while promoting transparency, ethical decision making, and accountability in all aspects of work.  
• The ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from diverse cultural, social, and professional backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Willingness to work flexibly and ability to travel extensively to rural and project locations to strengthen the relationship to support partners and ensure effective implementation.  
• Demonstrated commitment to Heifer International's mission, values, and regenerative, locally led program approach.
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and gender equity.