SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in over 25 countries globally.  SNV provides innovative solutions in Agri-Food, Water, and Energy systems. By connecting our global expertise with our extensive and longstanding in-country experiences, we help realise locally owned solutions. We equip communities, businesses, and organizations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

SNV, Netherlands Development Organization, is operating in Bangladesh since the 2006. Currently, SNV Bangladesh is implementing projects in Urban WASH, Energy and Agriculture & climate funding projects across Bangladesh. We make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty, helping them raise incomes and access basic services. Driven by the Sustainable Development Goals, we are dedicated to a society in which all people are free to pursue their own sustainable development, and no one is left behind. This commitment to equity directs us to focus on gender and youth. See also: www.snv.org.

Background of the Project

With the support of Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), SNV Bangladesh with lead partner Practical Action is planning to implement the Higher tier clean cooking component (HTCC) for Strengthening the Entrepreneurial partnering with Practical Action Ecosystem in Bangladesh. The HTCC component in Bangladesh will focus on e-cooking to improve the clean cooking sector in Bangladesh; e-cooking offers significant benefits to Bangladeshi families not only in relation to health benefits, but also in the form of reduced costs and increased time savings. The project ambitions to incentivise 35,000 MECA appliances and benefit 140,000 Bangladeshi people. The project is split into 3 main components: Pipeline Development, Access to Finance, and Enabling Environment.

The Access to Finance component of the project is intended to provide financial based rewards to the private sector in response to evidenced growth and strengthening of clean cooking supply chains in Bangladesh. A fund will be made available to market actors under this component: this will be accomplished by providing (i) milestone-based Innovation Grants supporting wholesale distributors, importers and manufacturers to initiate and engage new market approaches and (ii) Results Based Financing (RBF) incentives to verified retail sales to consumers. It is in this component of the project we will pay particular attention to the gender element of the project. We will assess MSME applications on their commitment to gender activities and encourage gender-based milestones for the Innovation Grants, among other activities.

This position is subject to donor approval of the project

Context and purpose of the job

The position focuses on designing and maintaining an updated Fund management strategy and support mechanisms; develop and manage the Fund investment portfolio; prepare selected MSMEs/firms to become investment ready and facilitate the investment match-making; mobilize the required resources to help selected investees/private sector, notably MSME’s, to grow and achieve the defined targets (social, commercial, environmental and financial).

The Fund Management Advisor is part of the energy project team of SNV Bangladesh. SNV has built a strong track record in Fund Management including the design and management of results-based financing facilities in the off-grid energy sector aimed at overcoming market barriers constraining private sector delivery of modern energy services to isolated communities across Africa and Asia. The requirement of the Advisor is a proven working experience, preferably in the energy sector, with specific knowledge on grant-managed funds with performance-based instruments. The Fund Management Advisor is expected to provide design oversight to the financing instruments and their transparent administration. The Advisor gives input to project staff and partners in order to meet the agreed objectives and realise successful interventions. The Fund Management Advisor identifies opportunities and areas for improvement, to ensure quality delivery. The Advisor will oversee all activities in the Access to Finance component of the project.

Result areas

The Access to Finance component of the project is intended to provide financial based rewards to the private sector in response to evidenced growth and strengthening of clean cooking supply chains in Bangladesh. This will be accomplished by providing (i) milestone-based Innovation Grants (IG) supporting wholesale distributors, importers and manufacturers to initiate and engage new market approaches and (ii) providing Results Based Financing (RBF) incentives to verified retail sales to consumers. The access to finance component will form part of an integrated package of support with the pipeline development and EEC to incentivise and reward market actors to build relationships in the clean cooking supply chain that improve access to high quality cooking energy solutions for consumers. The Fund Management Advisor will ensure Highest possible level of quality to achieve the main two parts of Access to Finance component.

Responsibilities

Advisory Services

• Design & establishment of the access to finance component of the project including the operational guidelines, manuals (which includes RBF strategy, selection criteria, budget allocations among others);
• Oversee the process of identification, engagement of the qualifying grantees for the IG & RBF funds;
• Plan and execute the grant-making process by closely working with the finance team, and grantees to make sure the process is mutually beneficial and compliant with eligibility criteria and accountability;
• Ensuring compliance and optimal allocations of innovation grants (IG) and RBF funds;
• Support to grantees that have received support from the IF & RBF fund ensuring timely and quality advise is provided to improve practice.

Project and process development and implementation

• Undertake monitoring visits to relevant partners and service providers and report on project progress and constraints. Ensure lessons learned are applied in daily practice;
• Contribute to the process of identification of and engagement with participating MSMEs;
• Manages the Fund, assessing the overall fund performance and the individual performance of the MSME’s and type of technology;
• Identify the technical assistance needs of each fund investee and address these through the TA mechanisms in place;
• Identify, train and monitor the performance of selected firms;
• Identify and consolidate collaborations with other programmes with similar support mechanisms to off-grid energy businesses;
• Communicate the investment strategy and its rationale for engaging in specific transactions to stakeholders;
• Undertake the review of expressions of interest (EoIs), full proposals and conduct due diligence of applicants;
• Contribute to coherent development of the work plans and update thereof according to progress of implementation;
• In close collaboration with lead partner and SNV, continuously assess and propose updates to the Funds’ strategy and its support mechanisms;
• Take lead in collaborating with other SNV projects and programs on the theme of energy and private sector development with regards to energy efficiency.

Knowledge Development

• Contribute to internal and external knowledge development, ensures lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice.
• Initiates/ coordinates the review process and evaluation of advisory services in order to collect lessons learned, proposes corrective measures and ensures identification of follow up assignments.
• Participates in knowledge development/expertise groups and in internal and external networks.

Positioning

• Identify and analyses market opportunities and threats related to project and SNV in general and ensures relevant colleagues are informed.
• Actively participate in strategic positioning meetings and acts as a knowledgeable face of the SNV organisation to the client.
• Analyse, understand, and develop (local) networks with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to market development fund technical content on reporting to the donor.

 People Management

• Steers colleagues and coaches associated partners/ external stakeholders on quality within the context of assignments. Acts as a technical expert in the content area, applies process improvements in projects and coaches colleagues and associated partners both professionally as operationally on quality of context within projects.

Business Development

• Builds, maintains and utilises relationships with relevant stakeholders, represents SNV and identifies opportunities for Business Development policies and procedures. Initiates assignments on a local/(sub)national level, supports proposals and develops technical processes during the inception phase of projects.

Network and Relationship building

• Build and maintain effective relationships, with SNV team and close relationship with lead partner organization of the project, external partners and the donor(s) by ensuring a high level of SNV visibility and branding according to donor guidelines in all appropriate activities working with and drawing on available communication support
• Develop strong business networks and help develop a pipeline of potential investments.
• Manage relationships with government, private sector and other stakeholders where required and relevant.

Qualifications and preferred requirements

The candidate is expected to have the following qualifications:

• Must have a MA/MSc. Degree in related field or equivalent such as Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Statistics or related field. 
• Must have a substantial experience (at least 7 years) in grant managed funds with experience in performance-based instruments such as milestone-based grants awards and/or RBF mechanisms. 
• Person with a strong record in results management for reporting purposes
• Advisory services experience in development work, preferably in the field of energy markets development or private sector support. Experience on energy market development preference given to specific experience of mainstreaming Energy Efficiency in business models of MSMEs
• Strong experience evaluating and facilitating business cases for operational efficiency, commercial viability and social returns.
• Solid background and understanding of business planning, business development support, financial modelling and simulation, growth planning and investment readiness support to MSMEs through coaching and technical assistance.
• Knowledge of market systems development approach and its application in energy in other sector such as agriculture and is considered an asset.

Additional, preferred requirements:

• Excellent computer skills with demonstrated experience in the use accounting software suites will be required.
• Experience in leveraging networks, resources, and multistakeholder approaches.
• Good social, networking and presentation skills, able to engage with the private sector, civil society and governments.
• Excellent and demonstrable analytical skills.
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English.

Competencies

Problem analysis

The ability to detect problems, recognise important information and link various data to trace potential causes and look for relevant details.

 Communication

Coaching Encouraging and guiding employees in order to make their performance more effective and to enhance their self-perception and problem-solving skills.

 Result orientation

The ability to take direct action in order to attain or exceed objectives.

 Focus on quality

Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.

 Persuasiveness

The ambition to win over other people for one’s views and ideas and to generate support.

Duty station                   :   Dhaka with frequent travel to programme cities.

Contract Duration           :  The duration of the proposed contract is up to 12 months with a possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funds.

Expected Joining Date    :   The joining date is subject to the donor approval and the selected candidate will be informed in advance.

Working Hours               :   Full time (minimum of 40 hours per week)

Salary & Benefits            :  Competitive salary and allowances as per SNV in BD salary scale, group life insurance for employee and hospitalization insurance coverage for employee and family member (spouse and children).

Application 

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position. If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by submitting a brief letter of motivation (1 page) and your CV (not more than 3 pages). Your CV should highlight your prior work achievements; it should not be a list of your current or prior job responsibilities.  Please include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. Please apply through SmartRecruiters link below by 4 September 2022. 

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate.