Challenge Fund Associate

The Challenge Fund Associate will assist in the implementation of the KOICA CSA project’s output 2.2 which aims to invest in climate-smart agriculture for job creation and competitiveness and will implement Terai Agribusiness and Enterprise Challenge Fund (TAECF), USD 1.56 million, to incubate selected climate smart agribusinesses in the region.

This Challenge Fund Associate will allow for CSA opportunities to be significantly scaled up across municipalities, generating a further estimated 530 jobs over the project life and will create employment and business opportunities in value chains which can benefit landless people as well. Seed capital can be spent to hire labour, acquire needed equipment, or to implement new crop, soil, or water resources management practices in line with CSA principles. In addition, the project aims to mobilize USD 20M in financing to support the scale up of such practices in other part of Nepal.     

He/she will work closely with GGGI under the leadership and guidance of the Country Representative, Senior Project Coordination Officer, and Program Management Officer to ensure that the outputs delivered are in line with the CSA project KPIs.

• Specific tasks for this assignment shall include the following:
• Implement the TAECF – a) develop a selection criteria for accelerator, and champion program; 2) select wining agribusinesses based on criteria through a competitive process; and 2) disburse seed capital to wining agribusinesses
• Support selected agribusinesses to submit financial and technical reports
• Provide tailored technical support and a platform for peer-peer learning and networking.
• Monitor and assess the implementation of each grantee’s project, including services provided to smallholder farmers and the achievement of the expected targets and objectives (outputs and impacts)
• Support to mobilize climate finance from bilateral or international climate funds to support scale up and replication nationally – a) scope potential public and private sector investors to support scale up of program for Phase II, for example private impact investors; b) shortlist five priority investors; c) undertake required agricultural assessments and studies; d) prepare two proposals for scaling-up the program.
• Other relative duties assigned by the Country Representative

Engagement:

• Assist engagement with key government counterparts, private sector institutions, relevant academic institutions and non-governmental agencies to identify best-practices, lessons to be learned in development of and implementation of capacity-building related to production systems, and promotion of climate-resilient agri-businesses and associated government agencies.
• Support coordination among GGGI/partner experts to mainstream social/gender inclusivity consideration across the project/country portfolio and ensuring that this is effectively reported upon.
• Support organizing events and sessions between farmers, entrepreneurs and enabling institutions, and potential investors.

Delivery:

• Develop Operation Guidelines for Accelerator and Championship program of the TAECF
• Establish selection criteria for Accelerator and Championship program of the TAECF
• Build a peer-to-peer learning platform for grantees
• Produce quarterly financial report and bi-annual technical report of grantees
• Generate mapping on potential public and private sector investors to shortlist five priority investors
• Gather and submit information for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) purposes, and support technical reporting and administrative reporting needs.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly progress report.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• University degree in agribusiness, business administration or related field.
• Preferred 3 to 5 years’ experience in the agribusiness sector, particularly in grant management
• Experience in agricultural administration, economic and financial analysis, market and risk assessment, and evaluation of programmes or related activities.
• Track record experience in project cycle management.
• Excellent fluency in English and Nepali, both written and verbal required.
• Work experience in Madhesh Province preferred.
• Experience in engaging with multiple stakeholders, including Intergovernmental organizations, financial institutions, government institutions, NGOs, civil society, and others would be an advantage.

Source:  https://careers.gggi.org/vacancy/challenge-fund-associate-553630.html