Long Term Consultant: National Specialist: National Value Chain Finance Specialist​/Deputy Team

Overview

Position: National Value Chain Finance Specialist/Deputy Team Leader

Background: Winrock International is recruiting a National 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.

Location: Laos

Status: This position will be a part-time consultancy requiring a commitment of 46 person-months over a 5-year period.

• Coordinate with the Team Leader in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting obligations under the grant/loan for the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
• Act as 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 work plans and associated budgets for consideration by the government and ADB.
• Assist the PMU in coordinating the activities of 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 project outputs and 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.
• Undertake other tasks agreed with MOIC’s Executing Agency.

• Support the PMU and PIUs in screening potential participating financial institutions (PFIs) wishing to join the project (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Fund – MSMEPF and Lao 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), ensuring the services are utilized and adopted.
• Assist in linking climate-adapted infrastructure in support of commercial production of target crops to enhance productivity and strengthen market linkages.
• Other tasks requested by government and ADB related to overall performance of the consulting services.

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 international development agencies for 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 Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia – considered an advantage.

Computer

Skills:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint); advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred.

Communication

Skills:

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in writing.

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

Physical Demands: Regional travel may be required.

Funding: This position is based on ongoing donor funding.

EEO Statement: 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. Winrock Institute promotes accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.