The Climate-Smart Agro Specialist will be required to carry out the following activities:
Transaction Structuring and Credit Assessment
- Design and structure innovative financing models tailored to agricultural energy projects incorporating risk-sharing mechanisms and blended finance approaches.
- Develop financial models and assessment frameworks that account for agricultural seasonality commodity price risks and climate variability while modelling for PUE projects.
- Conduct comprehensive credit assessments for agricultural energy projects while incorporating technical & commercial operational risks amongst others.
- Structure transactions and innovative financing enhancement mechanisms appropriate for different categories of climate-smart agro related projects.
Pipeline Development and Transaction Origination
- Establish systematic approaches for identifying evaluating and developing climate-smart agro financing opportunities.
- Design and implement project screening criteria specific to agricultural energy transition investments.
- Develop standardised due diligence frameworks for assessing agricultural energy projects including technical financial and impact evaluation methodologies.
- Create and maintain comprehensive project pipeline tracking systems with sector-specific metrics and milestones whilst using the transaction reporting systems.
Sector Strategy and Market Development
- Develop comprehensive market assessments of energy transition opportunities across agricultural value chains identifying priority sub-categories and investment themes.
- Design sector-specific investment strategies that address unique characteristics of agricultural energy projects and align with facility objectives.
- Build strategic partnerships with agricultural technology providers original equipment manufacturers and energy service companies including mini-grid operators.
Impact Measurement and Reporting
- Establish sector-specific impact measurement frameworks that capture agricultural productivity climate and socioeconomic outcomes.
- Develop regular reporting systems for tracking activities and performance in agricultural value chain.
- Prepare case studies and documentation to demonstrate impact and attract additional partners.
- Coordinate with development impact team to ensure detailed impact assessment and MEL reporting.
Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Sharing
- Build relationships with development partners donors other stakeholders and investors focused on climate-smart agro space.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning exchanges among agricultural energy project stakeholders.
- Design and implement capacity building programs for agribusinesses seeking energy transition investments.
- Create educational resources and toolkits for development partners and donor agencies interested in financing energy transition projects for agro companies.
Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and Process Management
- Develop and implement SoPs guiding investment/financing strategies execution and operational workflows.
- Document responsibilities timelines and approval requirements for climate smart agro activities.
Data Management and Reporting
- Provide critical data and update climate-smart agro transactions and database on the transaction reporting system.
- Ensure all transaction related documents reports templates and operational materials are organised and up to date.
- Monitor transaction performances and generate regular reports to development partners.
Candidates for the role should possess the following qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics Environmental Science Finance Agricultural Engineering or closely related field; Masters Degree (MBA Agricultural Development Finance or Development Economics).
- Relevant professional qualifications in agriculture finance and other related subject areas are an advantage.
- Up to eight years of experience in agricultural development rural finance or climate finance with at least three to five working with development finance institutions (DFIs).
- Good experience working with multilateral development agencies development finance institutions (DFIs) and donor agencies.
- Proven experience in transaction structuring credit assessment and analysis for agricultural and/or infrastructure projects.
- Deep understanding of agricultural value chains farming systems and rural economic dynamics in Nigeria.
- Financial modelling and structuring complex risk sharing and blended finance transactions as well as risk assessment and mitigation strategies
- Knowledge of renewable energy technologies energy efficiency solutions and climate-smart agricultural practices.
- Sound understanding of blended finance mechanisms and development finance structures and strategies.
- Strong analytical project management skills and systematic problem-solving abilities with excellent communication writing and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
- Ability to effectively manage competing deadlines for projects in a fast-paced work environment with varying degrees of supervision.
- Acute attention to detail and a dedication to providing high-quality reports.
- Proficiency in the use of all Microsoft Office applications particularly MS. Excel and MS. Power Point
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority