Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
The project “Sustainable Wood-based Value Chains in Uganda” aims to promote sustainable management practices of existing wood resources through wood resource planning, timber yield regulation plans, and certification schemes. It also seeks to enhance processing capacity and market development of wood products, strengthening aggregation models and supporting primary and secondary wood processors. To address gaps related to investment and access to finance for SMEs in the wood-based industry, the project will provide capacity development and advisory services to local financing institutions (banks and non-banks) together with facilitating policy dialogues to improve the enabling environment for investors in the wood-based industry.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Uganda and the direct supervision of the programme specialist SME Access to finance BDS, and the technical backstopping of team leader forestry, the project technical advisor and regional Lead Technical Officer, the programme analyst on finance and business development services will work with other programme specialists and analysts in the implementation of the project.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the Technical Advisor and programme specialist on activities related to (i) investment readiness programme (ii) unlocking access to finance for wood-based SMEs at national and sub-national levels.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Evaluate investment needs and identify appropriate financing instruments 
•     Support development of simplified investment preparedness tools for businesses.
•     Liaise with microfinance and SACCO partners to align incubation outputs with financing requirements.
•     Conduct SMEs assessments with focus on scalability, operational gaps, financial performance, and market positioning.
•     Support in the review of work plans and progress reports by the BDS provider(s).
•     Undertake quality assurance monitoring visits to the SMEs receiving BDS to ensure service delivery as well as provision of necessary technical advice.
•     Collect relevant information and data on business development best practices and lessons learned from the Acceleration 
•     Support in the development of a deal book for the Growth stage wood sector businesses
•     Support Uganda Timber growers Association (UTGA) in the development of an online investment centre and profile growth stage businesses onto the platform.
•     Conduct an in-depth review of specific financial products offered by local financial service providers to identify which products are appropriate for which wood base SMEs (Primary and secondary wood processing SMEs).
•     Support in organising investment events for SMEs like matchmaking events and international events to unlock both finance and trade.
•     Support in the Due diligence and selection of potential grantees.
•     Contribute to development of monitoring and evaluation tools to assess project progress in terms of delivering on the goal of enhancing SME access to finance.
•     Track KPIs for SMEs including revenue growth, job creation, production volumes, and financing secured.
•     Track and report on impact indicators for the outcome III (availability of and access to finance improved) of the overall project.
•     Prepare monthly updates and contribute to quarterly and annual programme reporting.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     A university degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Forestry, or a related field. 
•     A minimum of 5 years’ experience in enterprise acceleration, investment readiness, or private sector development. 
•     Working knowledge (level C) of English.
•     Uganda national.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Knowledge and understanding of the financing tools/instruments in support to SMEs investment 
•     Experience in addressing challenges to unlock access to finance by SMEs 
•     Experience in training banking and non-banking finance professionals and SMEs in business and financial management 
•     Knowledge and interest in natural resource/ forestry /wood sector is a plus. 
•     Strong financial modelling and business analytics skills. 
•     Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills 
•     Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
•     Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. 
•     Good level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION