ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
LFS is a German consulting and management firm specialized in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) finance projects in developing and transition countries. LFS’ main clients and partners are international financial institutions and development agencies including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), KfW Development Bank, and the World Bank.
In addition to the provision of advisory services to banks and non-banks in the MSME finance field, LFS is the founder and lead investor in Access Microfinance Holding AG in Berlin, Germany, which operates a growing network of currently ten microfinance banks, all of which are managed by LFS.
ABOUT THE JOB:
Tasks and Responsibilities:
The LFS Advisory Services Division is currently compiling a team for an upcoming series of feasibility studies and market assessments that will be located in several French-speaking countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective will be to determine the business case for an agricultural financing vehicle in each country.
To support our team, we are looking for an International Senior Expert in agricultural financing initiatives, who is capable of leading a feasibility study/market assessment in 3 SSA countries. The countries of implementation will be Burkina Faso, Mali, and Madagascar.
Qualifications:
- At least 5-10 years of work experience in MSME banking and finance;
- Experience in agricultural (SME) finance;
- Experience with fund management and/or apex fund lending operations;
- Experience in conducting feasibility studies in the context of agricultural financing in Sub-Saharan Africa;
- Fluency in written and spoken English;
- Intermediate to advanced level French;
- Experience leading a team and managing others;
- Experience with the agri-lending operations of social investment funds, particularly in respect to smallholder finance and agricultural SME;
- Experience with the mode of operations and requirements of such funds;
- Existing relationships with stakeholders in relevant institutions (e.g., ministries of agriculture, central bank, etc. in the countries of implementation);
- Experience in identifying and assessing the legal and regulatory requirements of a country in order to efficiently run business operations.
HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates who meet our minimum requirements should:
- Submit an updated CV of no more than 3 pages;
- Indicate availability (short term / long term) and earliest starting date;
- Define fee expectations (per month / per day), excluding ancillary expenses (per diems, transport, housing).
