Job Description
Position Summary:
NRECA International implements the Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP) with the objective of “Increased access to electricity in rural areas through development of viable, thriving electric cooperative enterprises”. NRECA International also implements a complementary activity with ZECDP called the Zambia Gender Equity and Equality Action Program (GEEA), with the objective of “Increased women’s effective participation in electric cooperatives in Zambia”. GEEA is funded by USAID and NRECA and includes a Productive Uses Fund to support women-owned businesses to expand through productive use of electricity.
The Agricultural Finance & Productive Use Manager is based in Lusaka, Zambia and will oversee the design and implementation of the productive use loan program. The Manager will work in collaboration with the ZECDP Program Manager to identify sources of productive use financing, to identify and develop a relationship with a local banking institution through which productive use loans can be managed; as well as coordinate with ZECDP team members to promote and implement the productive use loan program.
The Manager will draft a productive use program business plan and will work with local financing institutions and donor program directors to solicit financial contributions to the productive use program. The Manager will concurrently work with ZECDP team members to develop a portfolio of economic activities and productive use machinery and equipment for which the productive use loan program can finance new business starts through productive use loans. The Manager will also identify and collaborate with institutions in Zambia that provide business skills development training to channel training resources to productive use loan recipients.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- The incumbent will serve as the Agricultural Finance & Productive Use Manager for the GEEA program in Zambia, working in collaboration with the ZECDP Program Manager and other team members.
- The Manager will develop a business plan for the GEEA Productive Use loan fund. The Manager, working in collaboration with ZECDP team members, will develop a portfolio of potential productive use loans and identify equipment and machinery that can be purchased with loan proceeds by productive use loan participants.
- The Manager will work with rural credit agencies and institutions to establish a productive use loan program to extend credit to qualified borrowers who are identified and certified by ZECDP team members.
- The Manager will be responsible for the proper security and disposal of confidential information that may be used and overseen in the course of performing the duties and obligations for the GEEA productive use loan program activities.
Direct Reports to this Position:
- GEEA local employees as assigned by the ZECDP Program Manager
Qualifications
Formal Education Required:
Bachelor’s degree in business or management or related field.
Experience and Certifications Required:
Five years of progressive professional experience
At least 3 years prior experience in Agricultural Finance or Microfinance.
At least 5 years prior international experience.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required (as demonstrated by prior work experience):
- Knowledge of banking operations and specifically, agricultural loan program management.
- Ability to effectively interact with others and work in a team environment and providing follow-up when needed.
- Ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple projects at various stages of development using effective organization skills.
- Ability to be persuasive, negotiate, and collaborate with individuals at all levels throughout organization.
- Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
- Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful.
Essential Physical Requirements:
- The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
- Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Disclaimer Statement: The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Additional Requirement:
The preceding job description has been written to reflect management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
NRECA is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail humanresources@nreca.coop or call: 703-907-5992 - NRECA Arlington Human Resources. Please call 402-483-9275 - NRECA Lincoln Human Resources, for Lincoln, NE employment opportunities. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released the 'Know Your Rights' poster, which updates and replaces the previous "EEO is the Law" poster and "EEO Is the Law Poster Supplement".
Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination. NRECA will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. Please see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision for more information.
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For more information about life at NRECA please visit www.Electric.coop.