Financial Inclusion and MSME Development Expert

Background of the Organizations GOPA AFC GmbH is a private German consulting firm based in Bonn, founded in 1973, that works on agricultural, agribusiness, and financial development projects in developing and transition countries. It has implemented projects in more than 120 countries for clients including the EU, AFD, GIZ, KfW, the World Bank, and several development banks. The firm has worked extensively on the cassava value chain in Nigeria and Ghana, including the GIZ-funded SEDIN and AgriBiz programs. Part of the GOPA Group and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, it serves as the lead partner for this consortium. IRAM (Institut de Recherches et d’Applications des Méthodes de Développement) is a Paris-based associative consultancy firm that has worked in international development since 1957, operating in about 40 countries with a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, economists, sociologists, and development specialists. It has a record of Expertise France contracts, including the AFIDEC project in Comoros, the PGE Gabes in Tunisia, and the PAGOF project in West Africa, as well as extensive technical assistance for AFD and the EU. Its cassava work includes value chain analysis and extension strategy development in the D.R. Congo. IRAM is the consortium partner. BASA Development Initiatives (BDI) is a legally registered Liberian non-profit and non-governmental organization with a mission to empower women, youth, and communities through sustainable, locally led development that improves livelihoods, strengthens resilience, and advances inclusive social and economic growth. Its main intervention areas are agribusiness, environmental sustainability, education, youth and women empowerment, and health and nutrition. BDI has implemented work funded by the Global Environment Facility, the European Union, and GIZ. The EU-funded Cassava Transformation Project in southeast Liberia provided business support services and training in climate-smart agriculture and good agricultural practices across Maryland, Sinoe, and River Gee counties. BDI is built on the principle of local ownership, with Liberians championing their own development. Project Background The GOPA AFC–IRAM consortium, with its Liberian sub-contractor BASA Development Initiatives (BDI), is being awarded “Strengthening the cassava value chain in Liberia – boosting sustainable production, processing, and market access” (Lot 1), a technical assistance assignment tendered by Expertise France under the Liberia Private Sector Development Project and funded by the European Union. Cassava contributes about 23% of Liberia’s agricultural GDP, but yields are low. The assignment addresses these gaps through five results across the value chain. Results 1 to 3 target the core segments: production, processing, and marketing. Results 4 and 5 operate at the meso level, focusing on service provision and stakeholder organization. Cross-cutting attention goes to food security, poverty reduction, gender, youth, and people with disabilities. A team of seven subject-matter specialists will deliver the work, covering value chain development, production, processing, marketing, finance, social inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation, and will be complemented by local experts and facilitators. The GOPA AFC–IRAM–BDI team is now recruiting a Team Leader / Senior Value Chain Expert (Cassava) to lead a team of international and Liberian experts. Job Title: Financial Inclusion and MSME Development Expert Location: Monrovia, frequent travel to Gbarpolu, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Rural Montserrado. Project: Cassava Value Chain Component under the EU-funded Private Sector Development Project Reporting to: Team Leader / Senior Value Chain Expert (Cassava) Status: National / International Duration: 6 months with renewal based on performance Job Overview The Financial Inclusion and MSME Development Expert improves access to finance for smallholder farmers and MSMEs across the cassava value chain. The role designs financial literacy programmes and innovative financing mechanisms, works with financial institutions to develop suitable products, and facilitates access to credit for value chain actors. The Expert applies gender-sensitive approaches throughout and works closely with the Team Lead and technical experts to link finance to production, processing, and market access. The role draws on the support of GOPA AFC’s Financial Systems Development department. Key Responsibilities Design and deliver financial literacy and business skills programmes for farmers, processors, and MSMEs. Develop and promote innovative financing mechanisms suited to the cassava value chain. Facilitate access to credit, including links to banks, microfinance institutions, and lending facilities. Work with financial institutions to develop or adapt products for smallholders and MSMEs. Support MSMEs in structuring bankable projects and strengthening business and financial performance. Apply gender-sensitive financial inclusion approaches across all activities. Support savings and loans groups (e.g., VSLAs) and other community-based financial structures. Build the capacity of project staff, local partners, and value chain actors on rural finance. Work with the M&E Specialist to track finance and inclusion indicators. Contribute to progress and evaluation reports in line with donor requirements. Liaise with the Team Lead, financial institutions, government bodies, and donor representatives. Required Qualifications and Experience Degree in finance, business, or a related field. Minimum of 7 years of experience in rural finance, microfinance, and financial product development for smallholder farmers and MSMEs. Proven ability to design financial literacy programs and innovative financing mechanisms and to facilitate access to credit. Experience in gender-sensitive financial inclusion approaches. Strong understanding of MSME development and value addition in agricultural value chains. Familiarity with EU-funded projects and their reporting standards is an asset. Prior experience in West Africa (preferably Liberia or neighboring countries) is highly desirable. Preferred Profile Hands-on experience linking smallholders and MSMEs to banks, microfinance institutions, and lending facilities. Experience designing and delivering financial literacy and business analysis training, including for agricultural value chains. Skills in structuring bankable projects and innovative financing mechanisms such as guarantee funds or blended finance. Experience establishing or supporting savings and loans groups (VSLAs) and cooperative financial structures. Track record in gender-responsive financial product development. Familiarity with the cassava or wider agrifood sector. Excellent coordination and reporting skills in line with international donor standards. Fluency in English; additional languages relevant to West Africa are an advantage.

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