Company Description
The Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) is an international not-for-profit development organization that believes in contributing to poverty alleviation in Zambia through various programs/projects that it implements. There is great opportunity by all people to pursue their own sustainable development and SNV is working with different groups in pursuant of the same. SNV provides services in Agriculture, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Renewable Energy. The recipients of these services include governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and private sector organizations, communities, and individual households.

Project background

SNV is a member of the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) (www.thedfcd.com), a Netherlands based consortium (led by FMO, Dutch development bank ), whose objectives are to (i) provide finance and Technical Assistance (TA) to projects with a focus on climate change adaptation; (ii) mobilize external private sector funding at scale; and (iii) align directly with DFCD Theory of Change (ToC).

The DFCD allows for investments in projects aimed at climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. SNV, as part of the DFCD Origination Facility (OF), will identify and develop, together with local companies and stakeholders, bankable business case propositions which can subsequently be picked up by the DFCD Investment Facilities (Water and Land-use) for further development, match-making and investment. The DFCD presents an important additional instrument for the Dutch government’s efforts in contributing to the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Purpose of the role

To enhance capacity to fulfil its mandate in Zambia, the DFCD is seeking to recruit a Business and Climate Advisor (“BCA”) in the SNV Zambia Office. The Advisor will be responsible for supporting the implementation of Climate Smart Business Investment origination projects. He/she will provide technical support to the identified local companies and facilitate the graduation of business cases into one of the DFCD investment facilities.  TA support to be provided by SNV is focused on Business Plan Development, Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact assessments within defined landscapes and multi-stakeholder approaches. The advisor will report to the Regional Business Investment Officer in Kenya and the SNV Country Director in Zambia.
Job Description
Key responsibilities

1. Provide coordination and implementation of technical assistance support to specific OF-Investment Committee (IC) approved business origination projects.

• The BCA will be primarily responsible for leading and managing the SNV TA to support origination projects for the timely/quality delivery of the agreed milestones in the funding agreement
• Lead liaison and coordination of efficient project graduation process with company representatives and (DFCD) investment managers
• Develop and update work plans and coordinate project origination activities
• Lead procurement processes for the selection of consultants, goods and services
• Supervise other SNV advisors or external consultants assigned to the origination projects and manage consultants to ensure timely delivery of activities and outputs
• Mitigate/resolve implementation challenges through proactive adaptive management
• Regular communications and progress reporting with SNV DFCD colleagues in Zambia, Africa and the Netherlands.

2. Within the framework of the approved origination projects provide technical advisory services in one or more of the following themes:

• Business investment plan development
• Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, including a focus on gender and social inclusion.
• Multi-stakeholder consultation within a landscape approach

3.Provide support in scoping and structuring one new business case in Zambia

• Identification of potential business cases in climate change adaptation by tapping into networks, liaising with SNV’s Project Managers and cooperation partners.
• Preparation of origination  proposal for OF- IC approval with a focus on climate change adaptation, undertaking analysis and discussions with internal staff & clients as appropriate
• Ensuring compliance of business investment case with the fund’s assessment framework

4. Foster cross project collaboration and coordination within the DFCD Consortium in Zambia.

• Cooperate with other projects in the SNV portfolio and enhance synergies in day to day activities.
• Liaise with national consortium partners on planning and implementing common country activities.

Qualifications

• Academic degree (preferably MSc) in business administration, (agriculture)economics and/or social sciences, natural resource management ;
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in Business Plan Development and/or  Environmental and Social Impact assessments  and multi-stakeholder and Gender and Social Inclusion approaches
• Working experience in an international environment is a plus.

Additional Information

Personal skills

• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills, including financial modelling skills;
• Ability to build productive internal and external working relationships
• Displays a strong service and client orientation;
• Strong team player
• Good networking skills;
• Pro-active work attitude and ‘can do’, solution-oriented attitude;
• Strong skills in planning, administration, organising and prioritising;
• Risk aware and able to escalate issues when necessary;
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Affinity with SNVs mission

Relevant Proven Experience in two or more of the following fields

• Business development and marketing support to companies
• Environmental & Social Impact assessments, including gender and Social Inclusion
• Managing results-based contracts with companies
• Climate Change Adaptation with a focus on  Agriculture and Water Sectors