NRECA International
Job Description
Position Summary:
NRECA International was awarded the Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP) the objective of which is to Increased access to electricity service through development of viable electric cooperative enterprises in rural areas of Zambia. NRECA International was more recently awarded a complementary USAID grant called the Zambia Gender Equity and Equality Action Program (GEEA). GEEA is intended to Increase participation of women in electric cooperatives in Zambia. Funded by USAID, NRECA intends to establish a productive use loan fund with GEEA support to finance electrical tools and machinery for women-owned businesses in Zambia.
The Agricultural Finance & Productive Use Manager is based onsite in Lusaka, Zambia and will:
- Oversee the design and implementation of the productive use loan program. The Manager will work, to identify and develop a relationship with a local banking institution through which productive use loans can be managed; as well as coordinate with ZECDP team members to promote and implement the productive use loan program.
- Draft a productive use program business plan and will work with local financing institutions and donor program directors to solicit financial contributions to the productive use program.
- Identify and collaborate with institutions in Zambia that provide business skills development training to channel training resources to productive use loan recipients.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop a business plan for the GEEA Productive Use loan fund.
- Develops a portfolio of potential productive use loans and identify equipment and machinery that can be purchased with loan proceeds by productive use loan participants working in collaboration with ZECDP team members.
- Partner with rural credit agencies and institutions to establish a productive use loan program to extend credit to qualified borrowers who are identified and certified by ZECDP team members.
- Responsible for the proper security and disposal of confidential information that may be used and overseen in the course of performing the duties and obligations for the GEEA productive use loan program activities.
Direct Reports to this Position:
- GEEA local employees as assigned by the ZECDP Program Manager
Qualifications
Formal Education Required:
Bachelor’s degree in business or management or related field.
Experience and Certifications Required:
- Five years of progressive professional experience
- At least 3 years prior experience in Agricultural Finance or Microfinance.
- At least 5 years prior international experience required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- Knowledge of banking operations and specifically, agricultural loan program management.
- Ability to effectively interact with others and work in a team environment and providing follow-up when needed.
- Ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple projects at various stages of development using effective organization skills.
- Ability to be persuasive, negotiate, and collaborate with individuals at all levels throughout organization.
- Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
- Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful.