Access to Finance Specialist job at TechnoServe

TechnoServe Background:

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. With over four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.

Program Overview:

TechnoServe is collaborating with consortium partners Agriterra and Wageningen University and Research to execute the five-year Growing Resilience and Opportunities for Wealth Through Horticulture (GROWTH) project, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN). This initiative fosters a market-oriented, resilient, and inclusive horticultural ecosystem in Uganda, targeting approximately 100,000 smallholder farmers (SHFs). By engaging with communities and Farmer Organizations (FOs) including SACCOs and cooperatives the project boosts productivity and improves access to markets and financial services. GROWTH builds on the foundations of programs like HortiMap, prioritizing systemic change, sustainability, and local ownership within the Ugandan horticulture industry.

Job Summary:

The Access to Finance Specialist will lead the execution of outcome 4 of the GROWTH Project. Smallholder farmers, farmer organizations and Agri – SMEs access appropriate, affordable and inclusive financial products and services.

The Specialist will work closely with Financial Service Providers (FSPs) both formal and informal, SACCOs, Fintechs, and project partners to bridge the financing gap in the horticulture sector. The Specialist will conduct financial literacy training and credit-readiness assessment for smallholder farmers (particularly women and youth), support improvements in financial management systems of FOs and agri-SMEs, and de-risk private sector investments through catalytic funding or co-investment mechanisms.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement financial literacy and business management training programs for smallholder farmers, FOs, and agri-SMEs.
• Support SACCOs and cooperatives in strengthening their internal financial management systems, record-keeping and financial reporting to make them bankable entities.
• Review and refine the financial records and business plans of agricultural SMEs to prepare them for concessional credit, commercial loans, or catalytic funds.
• Map and engage relevant Financial Service Providers (banks, microfinance institutions, Fintechs, impact investors) to understand their agricultural lending appetite.
• Collaborate with FSPs to design, pilot, and scale tailored financial products (e.g., climate-smart agri-loans, equipment financing, invoice discounting, insurance) that meet the specific needs of the horticulture value chain.
• Facilitate matchmaking between investment-ready agri-SMEs/cooperatives and financial institutions.
• Provide technical support in the design and administration of the project’s catalytic/resiliency grants and private-sector co-investment models.
• Ensure that financial interventions specifically address the systemic barriers faced by women and youth in accessing credit and financial services.
• Promote the development of financial products that do not require traditional collateral, making them more accessible to marginalized groups.
• Track and report on key financial performance indicators, such as the value of loans disbursed, repayment rates, and the number of farmers/SMEs accessing finance.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices in agricultural finance to inform project adaptations and donor reporting.
• Any other tasks or duties assigned from time to time.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. (A Master’s degree is an added advantage).
• At least Three (3) years of professional experience in agricultural finance, rural banking, microfinance, or enterprise development in Uganda.
• Proven experience working with SACCOs, cooperatives, and smallholder farmers to improve financial management and credit readiness.
• Strong existing network and ability to interact effectively with diverse partners, including commercial banks, impact investors, and government stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Uganda’s rural agribusiness landscape, specifically the constraints and opportunities within the horticulture value chain.
• Proficiency in conducting financial diagnostics, business plan development, and profit/loss analysis. Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50%) within the five project regions (Buganda, Busoga, Elgon, Rwenzori, and Kigezi).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Uganda or Regional Experience
• Experience developing reports for multiple audiences
• Experience developing and facilitating training
• Familiarity dealing with ethic and compliance in the non-profit sector

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Innovative self-starter with strong organizational skills
• Good leadership and team management skills
• Great cultural and emotional intelligence
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential topics with care and respect

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

• Design and implement financial literacy and business management training programs for smallholder farmers, FOs, and agri-SMEs.
• Support SACCOs and cooperatives in strengthening their internal financial management systems, record-keeping and financial reporting to make them bankable entities.
• Review and refine the financial records and business plans of agricultural SMEs to prepare them for concessional credit, commercial loans, or catalytic funds.
• Map and engage relevant Financial Service Providers (banks, microfinance institutions, Fintechs, impact investors) to understand their agricultural lending appetite.
• Collaborate with FSPs to design, pilot, and scale tailored financial products (e.g., climate-smart agri-loans, equipment financing, invoice discounting, insurance) that meet the specific needs of the horticulture value chain.
• Facilitate matchmaking between investment-ready agri-SMEs/cooperatives and financial institutions.
• Provide technical support in the design and administration of the project’s catalytic/resiliency grants and private-sector co-investment models.
• Ensure that financial interventions specifically address the systemic barriers faced by women and youth in accessing credit and financial services.
• Promote the development of financial products that do not require traditional collateral, making them more accessible to marginalized groups.
• Track and report on key financial performance indicators, such as the value of loans disbursed, repayment rates, and the number of farmers/SMEs accessing finance.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices in agricultural finance to inform project adaptations and donor reporting.
• Any other tasks or duties assigned from time to time.

• Innovative self-starter with strong organizational skills
• Good leadership and team management skills
• Great cultural and emotional intelligence
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential topics with care and respect

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. (A Master’s degree is an added advantage).
• At least Three (3) years of professional experience in agricultural finance, rural banking, microfinance, or enterprise development in Uganda.
• Proven experience working with SACCOs, cooperatives, and smallholder farmers to improve financial management and credit readiness.
• Strong existing network and ability to interact effectively with diverse partners, including commercial banks, impact investors, and government stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Uganda’s rural agribusiness landscape, specifically the constraints and opportunities within the horticulture value chain.
• Proficiency in conducting financial diagnostics, business plan development, and profit/loss analysis. Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50%) within the five project regions (Buganda, Busoga, Elgon, Rwenzori, and Kigezi).
• Uganda or Regional Experience
• Experience developing reports for multiple audiences
• Experience developing and facilitating training
• Familiarity dealing with ethic and compliance in the non-profit sector