Agriculture Financing and Investment Lead at Alan & Grant

Job Description

• The Agriculture Financing and Investment Lead will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to promote and facilitate private investment and financing solutions for the priority value chains under the NLTP and GI by conducting outreach and necessary handholding through to investment close, and post-investment after-care.
• The role will work closely with the Head of the Unit and the rest of the coordination secretariat
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations.

Duties and Responsibilities
Investment and Financial Advisory:

• Promote and facilitate private investment under the government agriculture priority programmes by conducting outreach and necessary handholding through to investment close, and post-investment after-care. Work closely with other key government agencies on this, such as the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission
• Use a network of investors (local and international) in agriculture in Nigeria to mobilise of resources for implementation of the government agriculture priority programmes
• With relevant stakeholders to develop a pipeline of investment projects under the NLTP and GI, as per the requirements of the project
• Conduct supporting financial analysis as required on the pipeline of investment projects
• Support the secretariat to help Nigerian pilot states to prepare for the development of investment memorandum for grazing sites
• Advise in discussions with lenders, donors, investors (domestic and foreign) and sovereign financing parties to optimize value for Nigeria
• Develop design principles for the financing mechanism that private investors will engage with for investing in the livestock ecosystem
• Support the rolling out of relevant financial products and guidance to the private sector market

Strategy Support:

• Provide strategic guidance on business practices, value chain profitability, positioning, and management of risk in the livestock ecosystem,
• Provide strategic financial counsel to the Secretariat on the economics of the relevant sub-sectors, alternative financing structures, and negotiations with investors
• Collaborate with Central Bank of Nigeria, NIRSAL, NSIA, Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, financial institutions and other relevant players to enhance investment and financial solutions for investment in livestock and value chains linked to the Green Imperative.
• Support implementation of the NLTP in pilot and scale up markets (state level)
• Advise on engaging private sector and non-private sector investors / partners
• Provide additional guidance and insight as required to deliver on the FGN’s plan

Requirements
Experience, Qualification and Skills:

• University degree from an accredited academic institution in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration
• 8 years of relevant experience in private investment or business development
• Strong understanding of Nigerian agriculture and agribusiness sector
• Strong understanding of Nigerian financial markets, systems and products
• Strong understanding of Nigeria government systems and challenges
• Strong team player with history of working successfully in a team
• A proven history of the ability to work adaptively and pro-actively
• A proven history to take project and work tasks over the line to completion
• Ability to manage shifting priorities with flexibility and accuracy
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Ability to build and manage effective relationships with other organisations and key stakeholders
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.