Global Development Incubator (GDI)—https://globaldevincubator.org/—is an incubator for transformational development ventures, working to build and scale the next generation of social impact solutions. GDI is hiring a Global Coordinator & Project Developer to play a key role in two of the industry-leading agricultural finance initiatives it hosts:

• Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF)—https://csaf.org/—is the leading global network of lending practitioners promoting a sustainable and inclusive finance market for producer organizations and small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture sector. CSAF’s 15 members collectively lend $700M per year to SMEs aggregating 2M+ smallholder farmers across 65 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Beginning in 2018, CSAF members came together to quantify the elevated risk and lower returns of lending to agricultural SMEs (findings here) and develop solutions, initially focused in East Africa, that could be offered across the market; that initiative became Aceli Africa.
   
• Aceli Africa—http://www.aceliafrica.org/—is a market incentive facility that aims to mobilize $700M in lending to agricultural SMEs and improving livelihoods for 1M farmers and employees in East Africa by 2025. Launched in 2020, Aceli Africa offers lenders financial incentives aligned with impact objectives to promote: economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and enterprises employees, gender inclusion, food security, and climate-smart & resilient agriculture. To date, more than 20 lenders, including a mix of commercial banks and social lenders (several of which are CSAF members), have signed up for Aceli’s financial incentives program. Aceli has raised $31M from leading donors such as IKEA Foundation, Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation, and USAID. In collaboration with CSAF, Aceli is now embarking on a market assessment to inform design of Aceli Americas.

Grade: Manager
Location: Flexible within Latin America or North America 
Start date: May, 2021
Position: Full-time
Reports to: CSAF Director / Aceli CEO

This role has two inter-related components: (1) Global Coordinator for CSAF to manage member activities and sector engagement and (2) Project Developer to adapt the Aceli model to Latin America, including coordinating market analyses, facility design, and set-up of Aceli Americas for target launch in 2022. This is a “roll up your sleeves” position requiring a highly motivated professional who is equally adept at strategic thinking, stakeholder facilitation, project design, and operational implementation. The role will report to Brian Milder, the CSAF Director and CEO of Aceli.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategic direction of CSAF in coordination with members and staff (Director & Associate).
• Facilitate technical workstreams both globally and regionally in Africa and Latin America by supporting member-led activities and managing projects. 2021 projects include working groups focused on impact (develop environmental metrics, coordinate training for members on gender lens investing) and loan workouts.
• Coordinate monthly member calls and twice yearly in-person meetings (held virtually during COVID) by setting the agenda, facilitating discussion, writing notes, and ensuring follow-up on action items.
• Plan and run CSAF events to align stakeholders around approaches for overcoming market barriers (e.g., replicating Aceli model in Latin America).
• Play active role in fundraising by engaging potential donors, writing proposals, and managing donor relationships. 
• Manage the drafting of the annual CSAF State of the Sector report with inputs from CSAF’s data partner, as well as members, and support from independent consultants. 
• Manage the market assessment process for Aceli Americas, including selecting and supervising consultants to analyze the agricultural finance gap and opportunity in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
• Draw upon the market assessments, Aceli model in East Africa, and stakeholder engagement (e.g., with CSAF members) to adapt Aceli’s program model to the Latin American context.
• Support the Aceli CEO in identifying and pitching prospective funders, including writing concept notes and proposals.
• Support the CEO in presenting the Aceli Americas plan to the board of directors and, pending approval, hiring a dedicated team to set up Aceli Americas for launch in 2022.

• An MBA or equivalent with a minimum of eight years of experience including program design, project management, proposal development and fundraising, and stakeholder relations;
• Understanding of the agricultural finance market in Latin America and Africa based on work experience in a lending institution serving the agriculture sector in one or both regions;
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required;
• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and relentless approach to bridging a bold vision for market change with attention to detail and operational excellence;
• Excellent verbal and written communication and relationship management skills;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a global team in a rapidly evolving environment; and
• Passion for applying financial and business acumen to create economic opportunities for marginalized populations and promote more environmentally sustainable practices.

If you are interested in this position and meet the qualifications above, by May 7, 2021 please submit a single PDF document containing a one-page cover letter and resume. Cover letters should succinctly convey why the candidate is qualified for this role and motivated to tackle it. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

The Global Development Incubator is an equal opportunity employer to all employees and applicants. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. GDI encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.