Long Term Consultant: International Specialist: National Value Chain Finance Specialist/ Deputy Team Leader - ADB LAO Sustainable Agrifood Systems Sector Project

Position: National Value Chain Finance Specialist/ Deputy Team Leader

Background: Winrock International is recruiting an International Value Chain Finance Specialist to serve as a Team Leader for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) opportunity in Laos focused on Sustainable Agrifood systems. The project will contribute to food security and nutrition improved, and agricultural value addition increased in a climate resilient and gender-responsive manner in Lao PDR. 

This position will be a part-time consultancy that will require a commitment of 46 person months over a 5 year period.

Location: Laos

Major Responsibilities:

Coordinate with the Team Leader in:

• Support the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Implementation Unit (PIUs) in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting obligations under the grant/loan;

• Provide a point of contact between the government Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and ADB with project management structures to coordinate activities of individual specialists;

• Assist in the preparation of annual workplans and associated budgets for consideration by the government and ADB;

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

• Assist in the development of a project performance monitoring system (PPMS) that reports implementation progress of both project outputs and the preparation of PIU reporting responsibilities;

• Support the PMU office and PIUs in maintaining accurate accounts and financial reporting as required under the loan/grant;

• Manage the inputs of specialist consultants engaged through the Implementation Support Consultants (ISC) contract and guide their activities to ensure inputs are timely and achieve their intended purpose; and

• Other tasks agreed with the MOIC’s Executing Agency.

Technical Responsibilities:

• Support the PMU and PIUs in the screening of potential participating financial institutions (PFIs) wishing to join the project (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Fund – MSMEPF and Loa Access to Finance Fund - LAFF);

• Assist in promoting the development of appropriate loan products for value chain lending;

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

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

• Oversee the implementation of climate resilient nutrition services in the targeted villages;

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

• Assist in 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 overall performances of the consulting services.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s qualification or tertiary qualification from a recognized institution majoring in economics, agriculture, finance, or business administration.

Experience:

• At least 10 years experience in agriculture, value chains, or rural credit

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

• Familiar with the requirements of the international development agencies requirements in financial intermediary designed projects.

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

• Experience managing a large and multi-disciplinary team

• Experience working with ADB preferred.

• Experience working in ASEAN countries – particularly in Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia considered as an advantage

Computer Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred.

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

Language: Fluent in English (written and spoken), Thai or Lao language skills (preferred)

Physical Demands: Regional travel may be required

This position is based on-going donor 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.