Position Objective

MCA-Zambia II seeks to appoint a highly accomplished and results-driven professional as Director, Asset Finance Project. The Director will provide strategic leadership, technical direction, and executive oversight for the Asset Finance Activity, Project Preparation Activity, and related financing and investment initiatives. The role is central to expanding access to finance for Agri-SMEs through innovative mechanisms, including affordable lending, equipment finance, performance-based grants, and impact capital.

The successful candidate will ensure alignment with Compact objectives, drive effective implementation, advance sustainable market-based solutions, and lead project preparation efforts to support infrastructure projects through to financial close.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Portfolio Oversight

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight for the Agri-SME Asset Finance Activity, Project Preparation Activity, and ACFD activity such financing initiatives, ensuring alignment with Compact objectives, MCC requirements, and national development priorities.
• Lead the design, refinement, and implementation of innovative asset finance, grant, and impact capital mechanisms that strengthen agricultural value chains and Agri-SME competitiveness.
• Lead refinement and implementation of project preparation related to infrastructure such as projects related to electricity, irrigation, logistics/transport and ag-processing (EILP) infrastructure investments.
• Contribute to Compact-wide strategy development, policy dialogue, and portfolio integration, ensuring coherence across MCA-Zambia II projects.

Program Management and Performance

• Oversee planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Asset Finance activities, ensuring delivery of outputs, outcomes, and Compact targets on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Monitor portfolio performance, risks, and compliance, making strategic adjustments to address emerging issues, safeguard Compact integrity, and optimize impact.
• Ensure robust results measurement and reporting in line with MCC performance indicators, M&E frameworks, and learning objectives.

Financial Instruments and Market Development

• Provide executive oversight of performance-based grants to Financial Service Providers (FSPs) and Equipment Providers (EPs) to catalyze increased lending, equipment financing, and private sector participation in agriculture.
• Lead the establishment and oversight of an early-stage, patient impact capital vehicle, mobilizing domestic and international investment to finance agri-enterprises.
• Strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, investors, and market actors to expand access to finance and ensure long-term sustainability beyond the Compact.
• Lead the Zambia Project Preparation Facility for Electricity, Irrigation, Logistics and Processing () activity that will assist in delivering technical assistance, feasibility analysis, and transaction advisory services to facilitate infrastructure projects reaching financial close, while promoting institutional capacity development.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Serve as a senior representative of MCA-Zambia II, engaging high-level government counterparts, regulators, private sector leaders, development partners, and investors.
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships to ensure stakeholder alignment, ownership, and sustained support for program objectives.
• Represent MCA-Zambia II at national, regional, and international forums, promoting program achievements, best practices, and policy lessons.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Coordinate compliance when applicable with MCC and donor requirements, including procurement, financial management, Environmental and Social Performance, Social Analysis, fraud and corruption controls, and risk management frameworks.
• Provide oversight and guidance to ensure activities meet international best practices and MCC standards.
• Escalate critical operational, fiduciary, or programmatic risks to senior management and recommend mitigation strategies.

Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Supervise staff under the Asset Finance Project.
• Lead, mentor, and manage senior managers and technical teams responsible for Agri-SME financing and Project Preparation activities.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture that emphasizes accountability, learning, innovation, and results.
• Support capacity building of government counterparts, financial institutions, and implementing partners.

Cross-Cutting Integration

• Contribute to knowledge management, learning, and adaptive management across MCA-Zambia II.
• Perform any other duties assigned by MCA-Zambia II senior management in support of the Compact's successful delivery.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, International Development, Agribusiness, Project Management, or a related field

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, International Development, Agribusiness, Project Management, or a related field.

Experience

Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in:

Financing & Investment: Designing, implementing, and managing project financing, and results-based financing projects.

Stakeholder Engagement: Liaising with governments, regulators, banks, and local partners to build relationships and ensure project success.

Technical Expertise: Advising in areas like asset financing, development finance, grants management, agribusiness, infrastructure or impact investing.

At least five (5) years of leadership experience managing complex, donor-funded programs and multidisciplinary teams.

Technical and Leadership Competencies

Strategic leadership and decision-making capabilities at executive level.

Strong financial, risk management, and analytical skills.

Experience managing procurements, grants and/or contracts.

Demonstrated ability to influence policy, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and mobilize private sector investment.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

Master's degree in a relevant discipline.

Professional experience in:

Policy & Strategy: Providing input on program design that supports economic reforms and align financing with national development goals.

Risk & Portfolio Management: Monitoring project portfolios to ensure prudent use of resources.

Project Cycle Management: Analyzing needs, designing programs, securing funding, and evaluating the impact of development initiatives.

Relevant professional certifications in project management, finance, or development finance are highly desirable.

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight for the Agri-SME Asset Finance Activity, Project Preparation Activity, and ACFD activity such financing initiatives, ensuring alignment with Compact objectives, MCC requirements, and national development priorities.
• Lead the design, refinement, and implementation of innovative asset finance, grant, and impact capital mechanisms that strengthen agricultural value chains and Agri-SME competitiveness.
• Lead refinement and implementation of project preparation related to infrastructure such as projects related to electricity, irrigation, logistics/transport and ag-processing (EILP) infrastructure investments.
• Contribute to Compact-wide strategy development, policy dialogue, and portfolio integration, ensuring coherence across MCA-Zambia II projects.
• Oversee planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Asset Finance activities, ensuring delivery of outputs, outcomes, and Compact targets on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Monitor portfolio performance, risks, and compliance, making strategic adjustments to address emerging issues, safeguard Compact integrity, and optimize impact.
• Ensure robust results measurement and reporting in line with MCC performance indicators, M&E frameworks, and learning objectives.
• Provide executive oversight of performance-based grants to Financial Service Providers (FSPs) and Equipment Providers (EPs) to catalyze increased lending, equipment financing, and private sector participation in agriculture.
• Lead the establishment and oversight of an early-stage, patient impact capital vehicle, mobilizing domestic and international investment to finance agri-enterprises.
• Strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, investors, and market actors to expand access to finance and ensure long-term sustainability beyond the Compact.
• Lead the Zambia Project Preparation Facility for Electricity, Irrigation, Logistics and Processing () activity that will assist in delivering technical assistance, feasibility analysis, and transaction advisory services to facilitate infrastructure projects reaching financial close, while promoting institutional capacity development.
• Serve as a senior representative of MCA-Zambia II, engaging high-level government counterparts, regulators, private sector leaders, development partners, and investors.
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships to ensure stakeholder alignment, ownership, and sustained support for program objectives.
• Represent MCA-Zambia II at national, regional, and international forums, promoting program achievements, best practices, and policy lessons.
• Coordinate compliance when applicable with MCC and donor requirements, including procurement, financial management, Environmental and Social Performance, Social Analysis, fraud and corruption controls, and risk management frameworks.
• Provide oversight and guidance to ensure activities meet international best practices and MCC standards.
• Escalate critical operational, fiduciary, or programmatic risks to senior management and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Supervise staff under the Asset Finance Project.
• Lead, mentor, and manage senior managers and technical teams responsible for Agri-SME financing and Project Preparation activities.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture that emphasizes accountability, learning, innovation, and results.
• Support capacity building of government counterparts, financial institutions, and implementing partners.
• Contribute to knowledge management, learning, and adaptive management across MCA-Zambia II.
• Perform any other duties assigned by MCA-Zambia II senior management in support of the Compact's successful delivery.

• Strategic leadership and decision-making capabilities at executive level.
• Strong financial, risk management, and analytical skills.
• Experience managing procurements, grants and/or contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to influence policy, coordinate diverse stakeholders, and mobilize private sector investment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, International Development, Agribusiness, Project Management, or a related field
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in: Financing & Investment, Stakeholder Engagement, Technical Expertise.
• At least five (5) years of leadership experience managing complex, donor-funded programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline (Preferred).
• Professional experience in Policy & Strategy, Risk & Portfolio Management, Project Cycle Management (Preferred).
• Relevant professional certifications in project management, finance, or development finance are highly desirable.