Project Officer - Investment

 UNCDF Uganda has partnered with the European Union Delegation in Uganda (EUD) to launch the 2^nd phase of the START (Support to Agricultural Revitalization & Transformation) facility project. The 2^nd phase of START facility is designed to promote growth and job creation by investing in fully integrated and sustainable agribusiness SMEs that create and retain wealth within Uganda. The Facility is intended to support SMEs to access affordable medium-term finance for agricultural value adding projects in Uganda through Strengthening institutional capacity of agribusiness SMEs to conduct sustainable business and business operations (including digital solutions), develop bankable green investment proposals based on green and circular economy principles and unlock affordable medium-term finance for agribusiness SMEs in value addition and responsible agro-processing.

The medium to long-term development objective will be to stimulate pro-poor economic growth in Uganda, better retain the economic benefits of agriculture in the country and improve local food systems and food security. The secondary medium-term objective will be to transform the Facility into a sustainable and adequately capitalized loan/grant facility providing technical assistance and seed capital to small and Medium-Sized value adding agribusinesses in Uganda with the further intention to scale up its operation and coverage to other agri value chains.

START phase II is countrywide (cover all regions of Uganda) as part of scaling up START phase I that was only aligned with the geographic coverage of DINU and comprises 40 districts in the North, identified for the activities in support of food production and commercial agriculture based on the value chain analysis by cluster. Special consideration will be given to agribusiness SMEs that empower vulnerable groups and will be implemented over a period of sixty months (five years) starting from January 2023- December 2027.

The key results are expected from the project:

• Strengthen institutional capacity of agribusiness SMEs and FIs to conduct sustainable business and business operations (including digital solutions).
• Improve technical capacity of agribusiness SMEs to develop bankable green investment proposals acceptable by financial institutions.
• Unlock affordable medium-term finance for agribusiness SMEs in value addition and responsible agro processing.

Organization and facilitation of key programme activities related to project development and financing agribusiness projects:

1. Support in the identification, screening of applicants and due diligence on SMEs in accordance with the eligibility criteria;
2. Support to build pipeline of commercially viable agri business investment projects acceptable by financial institutions;
3.  Provide implementation support for the development of project proposals for financing in accordance with the START rules and procedures;   
4. Support directly and indirectly in provision of Business Development support services to project sponsors identified during the different START processes; 
5. Support the establishment of co‐financing relationships with local and international financial institutions, nurture relationships and manage activities needed to secure co‐financing of START projects; 
6. Facilitate the required technical studies under guidance by engaging the project sponsors, consultants, local authorities, and communities as appropriate, including the development of TORs that reflect project finance requirements and support of the procurement processes;
7.  Identify alternative financing sources and structures, including the preparation of and participation in discussions and negotiations with banks, investors, and other stakeholders;
8. Participate in activities to promote START activities resulting in a project pipeline and/or strategic partnerships;
9. Prepare and facilitate technical missions for project and pipeline development;
10. Monitor the performance of SMEs supported under the facility to ensure compliance with the signed agreements. 

Organization and facilitation of key programme activities, related to Resource mobilisation, project Management capacity building and knowledge management:

1. Provide support for the START facility capacity building and training programme, ensuring programme knowledge generation and dissemination, including support to the development of START tools and toolkits, case studies, briefs, research documents, and client impact evaluations;
2. Support and ensure the implementation of the START facility stakeholder mobilization and communication plan and organize and coordinate outreach activities with a variety of stakeholders;
3. Provide specialist input to and ensure application of the processes and tools to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, training, and scaling up of START facility, building the capacity of local stakeholders in the public and private sectors;
4. Develop and implement tools and programmes for knowledge building, transfer and sharing;
5. Support efforts of UNCDF to mobilize additional resources for START facility;
6. Support and participate in the development of project monitoring and evaluation tools. Support and participate in the development of project procurement plans;
7. Support the organization of periodic project reviews/meetings;
8. Ensure the delivery of the key results on time; 
9. Exercise prudent financial management of the project, including timely reviews and submission of requests for disbursement of funds and other forms;
10. Perform any other tasks assigned by a supervisor.

The Project Officer - Investment will directly report to the START Facility Manager. 

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business development

• Knowledge facilitation : Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business management

• Project management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business management

• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Business management

• Evaluation: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.

Business management

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, priorities and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership management

• Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

Finance

• Accounting: Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

• Experience in investment/banking/ financial management in a reputable institution;
• Experience with private equity/venture investments, credit and risk assessment, with solid financial modelling and risk assessment skills;
• Proven experience in carrying out due diligence, in data collection, data and financial analysis skills;
• Experience in managing investment portfolio in projects with the government, NGO, or private sector;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).  

• Experience with a UN organization/agency is desirable; along with knowledge of UNCDF/UNDP and the UN system and/or NGOs.
• Experience coordinating and/or working with different partners shall be an added advantage. 

• Fluency in English and local language is required.

• CFA, CPA etc. will have a distinct advantage.