Background

SWISSAID, in collaboration with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), is implementing the multi-stakeholder, multi-donor CROPS4HD project, which is also implementing the AgrEcoNUS+ project funded by EC/IFAD.

AgrEcoNUS+, as part of the CROPS4HD-II Project, aims to advance agroecology production, de-risk and strengthen sustainable food systems production, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder agroecology farmers, dealers, and innovators. The project focuses on unlocking access to finance and creating market linkages.

A central feature of the AgrEcoNUS+ project is the Financial Vehicle Component, which is designed to:

• De-risk agroecological investments.
• Facilitate access to finance for smallholder agroecological farmers, innovators, MSMEs, cooperatives, and groups.
• Catalyze blended finance solutions and private sector engagement.
• Support the transition toward resilient and climate-smart agroecological value chains.

Given the complexity and strategic importance of this component, SWISSAID Tanzania seeks to recruit a highly experienced and technically competent Programme Coordinator to lead this component.

Job Purpose

The Programme Coordinator will lead the design, operationalization, and management of the AgrEcoNUS+ project financial vehicle. The role will ensure that the financial vehicle effectively mobilizes, allocates, and monitors financial resources that support agroecological value chains and inclusive financing.

This position combines expertise in development finance, partnership building, risk management, and field-level implementation support.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Vehicle Design and Strategic Alignment

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Lead the design, structuring, and operationalization of the AgrEcoNUS+ financial vehicle, such as blended finance mechanisms, guarantees, and revolving funds.
• Ensure alignment with programme objectives, scalability, and responsiveness to local market dynamics.

Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Establish and implement robust governance frameworks, operational manuals, and investment criteria to guide decision-making, risk management, and accountability.
• Ensure full compliance with SWISSAID internal policies and external donor requirements, including EC and IFAD requirements.
• Maintain strict fiduciary and regulatory standards.

Pipeline Development and Investment Readiness

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Identify, assess, and develop a strong pipeline of bankable opportunities across NUS and agroecological value chains.
• Support enterprises, producers, and innovators to strengthen their business models, governance, and financial management.
• Ensure beneficiaries and investment opportunities are ready for financing and investment.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Strengthening

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Deliver coordinated technical assistance and capacity-building support to financial vehicle beneficiaries.
• Link advisory services to financing milestones and measurable performance outcomes.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with financial institutions, impact investors, and public sector actors.
• Expand access to capital and leverage co-investment opportunities.
• Structure innovative blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms to attract private and public funding.

Portfolio Management, Monitoring, and Learning

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Oversee portfolio performance, including fund utilization, repayment rates, and impact metrics.
• Establish and track key financial and social performance indicators.
• Use data-driven insights to inform adaptive management and enhance sustainability.

Reporting, Knowledge Management, and Advocacy

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Prepare high-quality technical and financial reports in line with donor requirements.
• Capture and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and innovations.
• Contribute to national, regional, and global platforms to position SWISSAID as a leader in inclusive agroecological finance.

Fundraising

The Programme Coordinator will:

• Contribute to resource mobilization and fundraising efforts for the financial vehicle.
• Identify funding opportunities.
• Develop high-quality proposals and investment cases.
• Engage donors and investors to secure sustainable and diversified financing.

Key Results and Expected Outputs

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver the following results:

• Financial vehicle operationalized within agreed timelines.
• Strong pipeline of viable agroecology investments developed.
• Increased access to finance for SMEs and producer organizations.
• Private sector financing leveraged.
• High-quality portfolio performance and risk management achieved.
• Measurable contribution made to agroecology adoption and improved livelihoods.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Applicants should have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Development Finance, or a related field.

Professional Experience

Applicants should have:

• A minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in a similar role.
• Proven experience managing financial mechanisms, such as challenge funds, revolving funds, or results-based financing models.
• Experience working with development programmes, NGOs, donors, or financial institutions.
• Experience with EU/IFAD or similar donor-funded projects, which will be considered an added advantage.

Technical Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate strong knowledge and experience in:

• Agricultural finance and rural financial systems.
• Blended finance and de-risking instruments.
• Investment analysis and portfolio management.
• Financial modelling.
• Business viability assessment.
• Due diligence.
• ESG and safeguards.
• Social media and office software packages.

Core Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Accountability and integrity.
• Collaboration and partnership building.
• Results orientation.
• Strategic thinking.
• Problem solving and innovation.
• Communication and influence.

Working Conditions

The position requires:

• Frequent regional travel and travel to project locations, including Dodoma, Lindi, Mtwara, and Zanzibar.
• Interaction with a wide range of stakeholders, including partners, private sector actors, financial institutions, and government representatives.
• Field-based support and accompaniment.

Languages

Applicants should have:

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili, which is highly desirable.

• Lead the design, structuring, and operationalization of the AgrEcoNUS+ financial vehicle, such as blended finance mechanisms, guarantees, and revolving funds.
• Ensure alignment with programme objectives, scalability, and responsiveness to local market dynamics.
• Establish and implement robust governance frameworks, operational manuals, and investment criteria to guide decision-making, risk management, and accountability.
• Ensure full compliance with SWISSAID internal policies and external donor requirements, including EC and IFAD requirements.
• Maintain strict fiduciary and regulatory standards.
• Identify, assess, and develop a strong pipeline of bankable opportunities across NUS and agroecological value chains.
• Support enterprises, producers, and innovators to strengthen their business models, governance, and financial management.
• Ensure beneficiaries and investment opportunities are ready for financing and investment.
• Deliver coordinated technical assistance and capacity-building support to financial vehicle beneficiaries.
• Link advisory services to financing milestones and measurable performance outcomes.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with financial institutions, impact investors, and public sector actors.
• Expand access to capital and leverage co-investment opportunities.
• Structure innovative blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms to attract private and public funding.
• Oversee portfolio performance, including fund utilization, repayment rates, and impact metrics.
• Establish and track key financial and social performance indicators.
• Use data-driven insights to inform adaptive management and enhance sustainability.
• Prepare high-quality technical and financial reports in line with donor requirements.
• Capture and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and innovations.
• Contribute to national, regional, and global platforms to position SWISSAID as a leader in inclusive agroecological finance.
• Contribute to resource mobilization and fundraising efforts for the financial vehicle.
• Identify funding opportunities.
• Develop high-quality proposals and investment cases.
• Engage donors and investors to secure sustainable and diversified financing.

• Agricultural finance and rural financial systems.
• Blended finance and de-risking instruments.
• Investment analysis and portfolio management.
• Financial modelling.
• Business viability assessment.
• Due diligence.
• ESG and safeguards.
• Social media and office software packages.
• Accountability and integrity.
• Collaboration and partnership building.
• Results orientation.
• Strategic thinking.
• Problem solving and innovation.
• Communication and influence.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Development Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in a similar role.
• Proven experience managing financial mechanisms, such as challenge funds, revolving funds, or results-based financing models.
• Experience working with development programmes, NGOs, donors, or financial institutions.
• Experience with EU/IFAD or similar donor-funded projects, which will be considered an added advantage.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili, which is highly desirable.