JOB DETAILS:
The Value Chain Finance Operations Officer will be responsible for facilitating the delivery of financial services to impact program participants. This role is pivotal in executing ASIGMA's innovative and inclusive finance interventions, particularly in managing operational aspects of value chain financing for cooperatives and commodity finance. The officer will be crucial in ensuring the effective implementation of all program strategies and will remain fully engaged on ground.

Job Profile
Business Unit: Programs
Job Title: Value Chain Finance Operations Officer
Reports to: Project Technical Lead
Duty Station: Jinja, Uganda

Responsibilities
Assessment and Capacity Building
• Conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments of agri-hubs and SACCOs to identify their financial management and operational improvement needs.
• Provide tailored training and technical assistance to SACCOs and agri-hubs in areas such as financial record-keeping, management practices, marketing, and securing high-value Local Purchase Orders (LPOs).

• Participate in developing capacity-building programs that enhance the operational and financial capabilities of cooperatives and agri-hubs.
Credit Management Support
• Support SACCOs in developing and implementing robust credit appraisal, loan monitoring, and recovery systems.
• Assist in designing and developing loan products that are tailored to the specific needs of young entrepreneurs and aligned with targeted value chains.

• Provide ongoing support to SACCOs in managing and mitigating credit risks.
Value Chain Financing and Marketing
• Contribute to developing and implementing strategies for value chain financing specifically targeted at cooperatives and agri-hubs to improve their access to finance.
• Offer handholding support to cooperatives and agri-hubs on the pathway to securing high-value LPOs and other lucrative market opportunities.
Commodity Finance
• Contribute to the development and implement financing strategies that specifically target commodity finance, enhancing access to capital for the purchase, storage, and marketing of agricultural commodities.
• Provide guidance and support to cooperatives and agri-hubs in structuring and managing commodity finance deals to optimize value chain outcomes.

• Facilitate partnerships with financial institutions and buyers to ensure the successful execution of commodity finance transactions.
Stakeholder Engagement
• Participate in engagements with local leaders and community stakeholders to build support for the project.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between SACCOs, agri-hubs, and project participants to enhance access to finance.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
• Contribute to the project’s MEL activities by collecting and analyzing data, participating in assessments, and reporting on progress.
• Share insights and lessons learned to continuously improve the effectiveness of financial inclusion efforts.

• Prepare regular reports on the performance of the Revolving Fund and the overall impact of financial interventions.

Qualifications and Experience
Educational Background
• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, Rural Finance and Credit Management, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Business Administration, Commerce or a closely related field.

Experience
• Over 6 years of experience in microfinance, banking, or financial services, with a focus on agricultural production, marketing, and capacity-building operations, particularly in the management of financial products tailored for the agricultural sector.

• Experience in developing and implementing value chain finance models that align credit products with specific agricultural value chains, optimizing the financial sustainability and growth of agri-based businesses.

• Facilitating the creation of partnerships between financial institutions, cooperatives, and market players to streamline financing across the value chain.
• Proven experience structuring of commodity finance deals, including collateral management and risk mitigation, to secure financing and guarantee successful transactions.
• Experience coordinating with agribusinesses and financial entities to secure funding for commodity-related activities, promoting economic growth within agricultural communities.

• Experience working with SACCOs, agricultural groups, or similar community-based financial organizations, preferably within Eastern Uganda

Skills
• Strong understanding of financial inclusion, microfinance, and agricultural financing.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, showing initiative and problem-solving skills.

• Strong understanding of financial inclusion, microfinance, and agricultural financing.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Other Requirements
• Fluency in English and at least one local language of the Busoga region.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the project districts.
• Commitment to being fully on ground to ensure the successful execution of the program's strategies.