Product Manager Financial Services Development – aBi Development Limited

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge and experience in the working operations of financial institutions
• Ability to build strong and sustainable partnerships
• Ability to work against tight deadlines
• The familiarity of usage of databases and Microsoft Office
• Strong Communication skills (Oral and Written)
• Knowledge and experience in development of digital financial services especially in agribusiness value chains is an added advantage.

Competencies

• Integrity & Commitment
• Learning & Capacity Building
• Proactivity & Innovation
• Getting Work Done
• Relationship Building
• Thinking and Problem Analysis
• Communication and Information Handling
• Resource and Business Management

The Product Manager Financial Services Development (FSD) is responsible for building the capacity of a delegated portfolio of Financial Institutions so that they are able to efficiently and effectively deploy agribusiness financing in a sustainable socially responsible manner (SSRI). S/he provides technical assistance alongside grant financing to support Fls in sustainably offering relevant and affordable products to agribusinesses. The ultimate goal is generating a competitive, profitable, and sustainable agriculture and agribusiness sector in support of equitable wealth creation in Uganda.

A. Marketing & Sector Support

Successfully market aBi’s financial products and services to elevate presence within the sector, as well as collaborating with other organisations to improve agribusiness development across the sector.

Action Steps

• As requested by the Head of Business Development, lead on relationship building and market research for delegated market segments and customer groups; develop compelling, evidence-based, customer value propositions, tailored to each segment.
• Develop and maintain working contacts with counterparts in other organizations, associations, private sector firms and development agencies specialised in finance and agribusiness.
• Participate in the development of aBi Finance’s Marketing strategy; deliver any delegated components of the plan on time and to standard.
• Assist in value chain analysis, impact studies and sector analysis, developing and refining Theories of Change; participate in the development of aBi Finance strategy and annual business plans.
• Contribute substantively to initiatives to improve and expand financial services to the agribusiness sector; work with partners and technical assistance consultants to develop, pilot and market new products that contribute to value chain development.
• Participate in the forums for promoting agricultural insurance, financial services and innovations, institutional strengthening, and other stakeholder partnerships.

Success Criteria/Measures

• Smallholder farmers and agribusinesses access to serviceable financial services increased.
• Feedback from colleagues indicates that a substantive contribution towards the development and implementation of Marketing Strategy is made.
• Appetite and financial capacity of Fls to lend to the agricultural sector increased.

B. Pipeline & Portfolio Management

Lead pipeline development for a portfolio of grant investments that will deliver against business plans; whilst managing risks and optimizing return on investment.

Action Steps

• Work together with the Head of Business Development to develop and track the pipeline for Financial Services Development (FSD); aiming to develop the capacity of Financial Institutions to utilise aBi’s commercial products in a manner that will achieve impact targets.
• Participate in capacity assessments and training needs analysis of both existing and potential partners:

1. Participate in the development of capacity assessment tools and methodologies by the aBi Finance team; ensure full understanding of the frameworks being used.
2. Work collaboratively with Financial Institutions to administer the capacity- assessment tools.
3. Provide advice and support to FI’s to facilitate effective decision-making concerning the choice of aBi Finance products that will work for them.

• Work with the Technical Expert BDS to review the results of gap analyses across existing and prospective Financial Institutions and to develop and implement an appropriate capacity-building plan for each one.
• As requested by the Head of Business Development, participate in the development and submission of project proposals, ensuring that all meet set quality standards and align with aBi’s policies and set targets.

Success Criteria/Measures

• Physical and ICT infrastructure, governance and management of Fls improved.
• Financial products of Fls more tailored to smallholders, small SMEs and SRIs.
• Loans of Fls more tailored to Agribusinesses in need of long tenures.
• Contributions towards partner onboarding and project proposal development are delivered on time and to standard.

C. Ensuring impactful Implementation

Participate in the implementation of business plans so that results are achieved, risks are managed and quality projects are delivered; ensuring that learning from projects is fully utilised to develop a broad and deep understanding of how to make agribusiness markets work for the poor.

Action Steps

• Participate in coordination and preparation of business plans, annual work plans, quarterly and annual reports, in order to support the attainment of aBi’s strategic objectives.
• Oversee the implementation of projects, ensuring that good practice in end-to-end project management is implemented and that interventions are made as required to drive the sustainable enhancement of IP capacity.
• Support in collecting data, analyse results, and work with the Head of Business Development to identify opportunities for learning and improvement:

1. Initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising around key results and learning.
2. If desired results have not been achieved, identify, and implement improvements in either process or performance
3. Participate in periodic learning reviews and contribute to the ongoing development of theories of change.

• Report (and/or contribute to reports) on status of implementation and impact assessments as requested by the Business Development Manager and in accordance with Investor accountability requirements.
• Provide technical assistance, expert advice, mentoring and guidance to the managers and staff of each partner Financial Institution; escalate any un-met needs for support to the Head of Business Development or Technical Expert Business Development.

Success Criteria/Measures

• Monitoring & Evaluation indicates that projects are delivered, and results achieved as per plan &/or learning is being incorporated into the design of future strategies.
• Effective approaches are identified, reported and scaled up.
• Audit findings indicate good practice in project management is being delivered.

D. Manage Financial Institution Partner Relationships

Act as aBi Finance’s ‘point person’ for liaison with a delegated portfolio of Financial Institutions; ensure that high-quality relationships of mutual trust are developed and maintained.

Action Steps

• Carry out an informal stakeholder analysis for each Implementing Partner, identifying key decision makers and points of contact for different aspects of each project; take initiative to reach out, build relationships, and establish regular communication.
• Ensure that each FI Partner is proactively provided with relevant information concerning the status of each project; respond to requests for information in a timely manner.
• Liaise with the finance team to ensure that disbursements are made accurately and timely according to contracts; support the resolution of any problems reported by the Grants Management team e.g. if payments are delayed because of failure to comply with accountability requirements.
• Ensure that aBi’s project close-out procedures are implemented at the conclusion of each project; in particular, ensure that the IPs are supported to be self-sufficient following the withdrawal of support from aBi.
• Maintain records (including department minutes), files pertaining to FSD efforts including learnings, studies, policies, and legal documentation.
• Support the risk management process, and collaborate with the Head of Business Development to assist in internal and external audits to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Develop and support the implementation of aBi’s socially responsible investments policy.
• Develop training resources where necessary to uphold aBi’s risk & compliance practices.

Success Criteria/Measures

• Customer feedback (including net promoter scores) indicate satisfaction with quality of relationship management.
• aBi project close-out procedures implemented.

And other duties as requested by Head of Business Development.

All interested and qualified persons are encouraged to apply online on www.futureoptions.org or by email: careers@futureoptions.org. Applications should be received by 5:00 pm on the 21st February 2021.

Canvassing will lead to disqualification. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.