The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. The Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/ )

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people.

The Alliance is a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org) a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Overall goal:

Within the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), The goal of this consultancy is to provide coordination and research support for the development of a sorghum value chain financing model, this includes coordination and reporting tasks such as facilitating regular stakeholder calls and participating in on-the-ground activities. The consultancy will also involves designing and executing workshops, producing a comprehensive investment report and an outcome story with CGIAR’s guidance. Additionally, efforts will be made to identify co-operatives within the Sorghum value chain for possible replication, explore scaling opportunities in other value chains, establish linkages with local and Pan African banks and insurance providers, and find off-takers for surplus sorghum. The project aims to generate comprehensive reports and foster collaboration for sustainable agricultural development in Kenya.

Additionally, the consultant will support work on research and development of a mechanization and irrigation lending product under the Ukama Ustawi for de-risking of the Maize mixed systems in countries within the Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa. Supporting as well on the CGIAR Food systems accelerator program.

The consultant will also support the development of intervention strategies for unlocking private sector involvement in adaptation, through leveraging climate finance within the Initiative for Climate Resilience (Climber) supporting the design of project interventions related to the barrier of low access to finance for Green Climate Fund projects.

Coordinate and support the implementation of activities related to finance for de-risking agriculture investments in AICCRA and the Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa:

• Identify key stakeholders (Cooperatives, Banks, Insurers, off-takers and other value chain actors) and establish effective communication channels.
• Facilitate knowledge generation and sharing among stakeholders, through engagements and field work.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance for micro-finance institutions and fintech partners.
• Lead coordination and reporting for the Co-operative Development and Investment Program (CDIP)
• Work with the AICCRA team to design a workshop for the CDIP Sorghum value chain.

Facilitate finance work supporting banks and microfinance institutions in unlocking finance for agricultural stakeholders under the Initiative on Climate resilience and the Livestock and Climate Initiative:

• Assess existing financial mechanisms and identify opportunities for financing climate resilient agriculture.
• Support the development of strategies and tools for assessing climate risks and integrating climate considerations into lending and investment practices.
• Support the design of interventions for addressing barriers to the lack of financing in agriculture through leveraging climate finance to bolster innovative financial instruments that support local agriculture financing.
• Support the design of a FinTech accelerator program for financial services to unlock climate finance for the agriculture sector.
• Support partnerships between financial institutions and agriculture stakeholders.

Support fundraising and linkage of opportunities to private sector investment funds:

•  Identify potential funding sources aligned with the initiative’s objectives.
• Support the development of fundraising strategies and proposals for the CGIAR food systems accelerator agribusinesses.
• Establish relationships with private sector investors and financial institutions.
• Support the development of financial models and investment strategies to attract private sector investment.

Expected Outputs:

• Comprehensive investment report of the CDIP for Kenya.
• With the guidance of the CGIAR write a 3-4-page outcome story on the CDIP
• Complete highlights report compiling the pre-feasibility study, value chain & co-operative prioritization & selection (would leverage a lot from the report 1 of 2022) and include critical elements of the investment report.
• Comprehensive scaling report of the CDIP for Kenya
• Proposal for a climate smart fintech accelerator program.
• Proposal and workplan for development of Climate smart Mechanization and irrigation lending product.
• Other related and relevant research support within the ongoing projects and initiatives.
• Monthly report on activities

Requirements

• An advanced degree in any of the following or related disciplines: Social Sciences, Business Economics, Finance, or other relevant disciplines.
• In depth knowledge of the agri-food value chains in East and Southern Africa
• Experience in gender analysis and gender value chain assessment
• Experience in policy analysis and research with focus on agriculture, natural resources, gender inclusion and financial instruments
• Experience working with development partners as well as the private agribusiness sector.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, with ability to convey complex information to stakeholders of varying levels of experience or ability.
• Experience in private sector fundraising
• Experience in project management and financial product development.
• Experience in proposal development and report writing.
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit  https://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/ to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include Value Chain Financing & Investor Relations Consultant as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting.

Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applications closing date:3^rd August 2023

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org