Access to Finance (A2F) Manager

Access to Finance (A2F) Manager

Location: Sylhet, Bangladesh 

About Palladium: 

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. 

Project Overview and Role: 

The Feed the Future Bangladesh Inclusive Access to Finance Activity (IAF) is a $34 million, USAID-supported project that will unlock finance for small businesses and farmers, make agricultural supply chains more inclusive and sustainable, and improve inclusivity in the financial sector in Bangladesh. To accomplish this, IAF will engage strategic partners to deploy innovative solutions to address constraints in agriculture value chains and agriculture financing; deploy incentives and capacity building to financial institutions to expand appropriate and inclusive lending to or investment in agriculture; and engage the private sector to advocate for systemic improvements and scale social impact. From 2024 to 2029, The Bangladesh Inclusive Access to Finance Activity will unlock $448 million in finance, driving sustainable agricultural lending and promoting inclusive growth. By improving access to finance for farmers and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the policy environment in the financial sector, IAF with increase farmer revenue, create jobs, and contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth in an inclusive and environmentally friendly manner. 

The A2F Manager will implement project interventions in Sylhet and provide a crucial link between Sylhet and project leadership in Dhaka. Through close collaboration with project leadership, the A2F Manager will oversee interventions, including partner relationship management, product development, and local division operations. The A2F Manager will work closely with the Head of Product Development, the Financial Institutions Director and Senior Manager, Grants and Subcontracts on the implementation of interventions within Sylhet division. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Implement technical activities under the Sylhet office, including developing and managing strategic partnerships with financial institutions and agri-enterprises, contributing to financial product development, and managing grants with regional partners, in compliance with USAID rules and in collaboration with project leadership. This will include providing input into technical strategies and approaches based on the context in the division
• Collaborate with the financial institutions and product development teams to oversee relevant Catalytic Fund activities in the division
• Proactively seek opportunities to form and cultivate partnerships with local financial institutions and structure smart incentives to increase financing to targeted geographies and demographics
• Provide technical assistance efforts with finance providers (banks, MFIs and non-banking financial institutions, as well as financial intermediaries) to enhance their products and services
• Develop plans to prioritize partnership-supported activities that are locally led and generate benefits for marginalized communities, including indigenous populations, women, youth, and persons with disabilities
• Foster relationships with and ensure buy-in from regional financial institutions and partners for project activities
• Contribute to annual work plans, budgets, and reporting deliverables including quarterly and annual reports
• Liaise with implementing partners, subcontractors, and grantees as they undertake tasks relating to expanding and supporting financial institutions
• Ensure the accurate tracking and recording of local expenditures and timely coordination with Dhaka-based finance team
• Liaise and provide support to grants and technical teams in the implementation of grants
• Provide inputs on budget preparation, on-going monitoring and revision
• Contribute to development and maintenance of project’s sound environment management, climate risk mitigation, and security plans in accordance to company policy and USAID regulations
• Support and closely coordinate with MEL and Communications team in data collection from the partners, monitoring, learning, collaboration, and communication activities
• Prepare, organize, and maintain partnership records and files documenting awards, modifications, performance, and compliance
• Any other relevant responsibilities assigned by the Chief of Party, Director of Financial Institutions, and Head of Product Development.

Position Requirements:

• Experience managing large and complex projects in agricultural resilience or access to finance; USAID experience or experience with commercial banks or MFIs operating in Sylhet division highly preferred
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible business management experience with a recognized organization, preferably for USAID or relevant partners, such as commercial banks or MFIs operating in Sylhet division
• Proven ability to form collaborative relationships with consortium partners, institutions, governmental and intergovernmental representatives, subcontractors, consultants, and grantees
• Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements
• Progressively responsible experience supervising project operations, including human resources, procurement, and sub-contracts or sub-awards
• Knowledge of local labor and tax laws and reporting procedures
• Written and spoken fluency in English is required
• Bangladeshi nationals are encouraged to apply
• Sylheti speakers strongly encouraged to apply

Deadline for Application: October 21st, 2024

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss. 

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process. 

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