Access to Finance Associate at Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR)

Description and Objectives

• The Access to Finance Associate will be responsible for providing technical guidance and implementing PACS access to finance workstream activities in Lagos state. The role will facilitate all engagements between SCIDaR, financial institutions, project participants and other relevant partners, for the purpose of enhancing access to and use of appropriate finance products and services, with a focus on micro-credit. S/he will coordinate engagement with Business Development Service Providers and other relevant market actors in the state to provide tailored support required to upscale the capacities of both the supply and demand side stakeholders to achieve the overall objectives of the project.
• The Access to Finance Associate will be responsible for providing technical guidance and implementing the project’s workstream operations in Lagos state. The role will assist all interactions between SCIDaR, financial institutions, project participants, and other relevant partners with the goal of increasing access to and usage of appropriate finance products and services, with a focus on microcredit. S/he will manage engagement with Business Development Service Providers and other key market actors in the state to provide personalized support needed to increase the capacity of both supply and demand side stakeholders to meet the project’s overall goals.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engagements between project participants, financial institutions and Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) in collaboration with other key market actors to achieve the project objectives;
• Work together with the SCIDaR Access to Finance Specialist and the PACS team to develop effective strategies to support the implementation of the Access to Finance activity workstream in Lagos State;
• Provide technical support to broaden access to finance for target beneficiaries by deploying fit-for-purpose credit facilities, to meet their demands;
• Coordinate the engagement of potential beneficiary SMEs to understand the needs and requirements of partner financial institutions and investors;
• Assist in the provision of technical support to make potential project participants SMEs investment ready, complete, and submit applications;
• Plan, develop, and implement strategies for quality business development services, and mobilise required materials and resources for daily/weekly/monthly program activities;
• Support in portfolio management and due diligence process for beneficiary SMEs and lenders;
• Work with project collaborators and service providers to provide relevant training for target beneficiaries;
• Ensure proper monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems are incorporated into the deployed interventions for all beneficiaries;
• Execute any other tasks as required by designated Program Directors.

Duty Station

• The role is based in Lagos (PACS project site) but will require periodic visits to the SCIDaR Headquarters in Abuja.

Required competencies

• Knowledge of credit, credit guarantee systems, and value chain financing;
• Financial analysis skills and assessment of the financial viability of target group credit needs and constraints;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders concurrently;
• Strong collaboration and partnership skills with people and teams across organizational levels;
• Analytical approach to work with strong problem-solving skills.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and/or Statistics, Financial Management, Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, or another related field;
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in directly supporting targeted demographics to access finance through loans, impact investment, grants, equity investment, blended financing, etc.;
• Demonstrated experience in working with financial institutions or development organizations with access to finance focus;
• High proficiency in data management and reporting with relevant professional certifications;
• Experience in complex planning and budgeting processes, including the ability to provide clear guidance on finance policies and procedures.