Access to Financial Services Specialist

Access to Financial Services Specialist

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

USAID Trade and Competitiveness Activity is a five-year project that aims to increase the ability of Nepali private sector to compete in global value chains. The Activity will chart a new growth path for private companies by supporting them to capitalize on global opportunities – targeting quality and high value exports (of products and services). It aims to foster sustainable growth, in selected value chains, by incentivizing actors (both private and public) through investments, innovations, employment, and a business enabling environment to increase their integration into the global market. The Activity is working to achieve the goal through the following objectives:

1. To increase access to market-based financial and non-financial services.
2. To increase productivity in sectors with high growth and employment potential; and
3. To improve the investment climate and business enabling environment, for targeted sectors.
4. To support private sector led economic recovery.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Access to Financial Services Specialist will lead efforts to enhance the availability and diversity of financial services for SMEs in the targeted sectors. She/he will assess key barriers to SME financing, design effective interventions, and implement strategies to improve access to capital in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and digital services. Responsibilities include developing financial products and services, overseeing capacity-building initiatives for SMEs and financial providers (BFIs, impact investors, private equity firms, cooperatives), and fostering partnerships with finance providers. Reporting to the Objective 1 Lead, the specialist will collaborate with technical teams to boost SME productivity and competitiveness in priority sectors.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• In collaboration with the Activity’s Objectives 2, 3 and 4 carry out analysis and develop plans to address key constraints and optimize opportunities to increase investments and promote broad and inclusive access to financial   services.
• Support PEVCs and other non-bank financial institutions to develop and execute plans to attract funding from institutional and individual investors, non-resident Nepalis (NRNs), and Development Finance Institutions including development of key documents such as term sheets, risk management frameworks, shareholder agreements, and other investment-related documents.
• Support financial institutions (bank and non-bank) in developing pipelines for investment firms in targeted sectors.
• Lead initiatives to create sustainable and scalable financial solutions tailored to increase investment in SMEs in the priority sectors by enhancing linkages with entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and investors.
• Collaborate with Objective 3 in supporting advancement and implementation of policy reforms  to improve  the investment climate and to promote broad access to financial services for businesses.
• Contribute to the planning and reporting requirements of the USAID Trade and Competitiveness.
• Carry out additional tasks in relation to ‘Access to Finance’, as per the request of the Objective 1 Lead and/or the Chief of Party.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s in economics, finance, or other related field. (Masters will be an added advantage).
• At least five years’ experience in finance and investment, including at least 2 years of experience with Private Equity and Venture Capital.
• Strong knowledge of term sheets, risk management frameworks, and other financial instruments commonly used in the private equity and venture capital (PEVC) landscape SME financing mechanisms.
• Track record of successfully generating funds for private equity and venture capital investments in priority sectors.
• Experience in investing in SMEs operating in priority sectors such as agriculture, digital services, or tourism.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Nepali and proficiency in reporting and presenting.

Reporting Requirements

This position will report to the Objective 1 (Investment and Business Development Services) Lead

Level of effort: Full time

Location: Kathmandu, with travel to other locations of the country as required

Application Instructions

Please ensure resume/application DOES NOT INCLUDE personal information such as gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, religion. DCOP LLC is an equal opportunity employer.  This position is open to Nepali nationals only.

All interested candidates are requested to apply for the position through email with mentioning the job title “Access to Financial Services Specialist” on the subject along with updated resume and Cover Letter to HR@tc-udhyamnepal.com by COB 17:00 PM (Nepal Time) of February 06, 2025.