National Expert on Access to Finance

The National Expert on Access to Finance will coordinate and implement project activities to unlock finance for youth- and women-led SMEs in Tunisia, supporting inclusive regional development and the transition to a green economy. The role involves liaising with government and stakeholders, monitoring project progress, and fostering partnerships to enhance project success.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Project Team in preparing detailed work plan and budget for the project activities.
• Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country.
• Liaise with government and other relevant counterparts and stakeholders, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshoot problems as required.
• Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level.
• Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level.
• Coordinate the preparation of ToRs for recruitment of project consultants, service providers and contractors.
• Manage the coordination of work delivered by the local partners assigned to the project.
• Coordinate the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies.
• Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including partnerships opportunities with private sectors, banks and others.
• Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.
• Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project.
• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators.
• Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities.
• Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements.
• Contribute to the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs.
• Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners.
• Coordinate the dissemination of project knowledge to the wider public by proposing examples of best practices and success stories, as well as replicable strategies and approaches.
• Actively build a network of key partners and actors that contribute to the project activities.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in economics, finance, accounting, development studies, or other relevant discipline is required.
• Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level, preferably in development finance, access to finance, or SME support, is required.
• Strong knowledge of Tunisia’s economic context, financial ecosystem, SME ecosystem, and/or gender/youth inclusion strategies, is required.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and coordination with government, private sector, and international organizations, is required.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills; proficiency in ERP systems and UN or donor financial procedures is desirable.
• Expertise in financial matters, such as Knowledge of Financing Instruments, Pipeline Development of SMEs, Matchmaking & Networking, Financial Structuring & Advisory or Investment Readiness Support of SMEs is desirable.
• Experience in evaluating the needs conditions and problems of the country or similar country in the region is desirable.
• Experience/knowledge of other development agencies donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the country, or similar country in the region is desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, French and Arabic is required.

Skills

• Development Finance
• Access to Finance
• SME Support
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Project Coordination
• Financial Structuring
• Investment Readiness Support
• Pipeline Development of SMEs
• Matchmaking and Networking
• ERP Systems
• UN Finance Procedures
• Donor Financial Policies
• Economic Analysis
• Gender and Youth Inclusion Strategies
• Government Coordination
• Private Sector Coordination
• International Organization Coordination
• Needs Assessment
• Financial Advisory

Languages

English, French, Arabic