Officer- SME Access To Finance, NPSA-9, DS - Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Nationals Only

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine supports poverty eradication, inequality reduction, and resilience building, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals. Operating through three programme priorities, UNDP aids regional and local authorities and civil society in crisis management and emergency response. The Area-Based Recovery (ABR) Framework focuses on community recovery and development pathways, requiring a holistic, systems-based approach involving all societal sectors.

Job Purpose

The Officer - SME Access to Finance will lead the design and implementation of projects to enhance financial access for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in war-affected regions of Ukraine. This role involves strengthening SME capacity to develop bankable projects, facilitating connections with financial institutions and funding mechanisms, and ensuring effective outreach, coordination, and monitoring of economic recovery initiatives. The position requires regular travel to partner communities to support these objectives and contribute to the overall recovery and development efforts within the ABR framework.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include performing needs assessments for local businesses and communities, facilitating SME access to finance through capacity building for bankable projects and applications for various lending programs. The role involves supporting SMEs and start-ups in accessing financial instruments like loans, grants, and guarantees, and mapping finance support mechanisms for vulnerable groups. Providing technical and advisory support on business planning, financial literacy, and investment readiness is crucial. This includes coordinating with business support organizations, supervising consultants, managing project implementation, budgets, and resources, and ensuring alignment with UNDP policies and gender equality mainstreaming. Establishing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders, monitoring progress, reporting on activities, and facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building are also core duties.

Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience (with a Master's degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor's degree) is required in providing economic or financial advisory services, or in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects. Experience with computer software packages and web-based management systems is also necessary.

Skills

Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: System Thinking, Knowledge Facilitation, Project Management, Partnerships Management, Communication, Monitoring & Evaluation, Gender and Crisis.

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