Deloitte is seeking qualified Mid- Level candidates for the multi-year USAID Trade and Competitiveness (Udhyam Nepal) to fill the role of ‘Access to Finance Manager’. Deloitte Consulting is the implementing partner for the USAID-funded Nepal Trade and Competitiveness Activity (Udhyam Nepal) based in Kathmandu. This position is under Deloitte Consulting Overseas Projects LLC. The purpose of Nepal Trade and Competitiveness Activity is to increase Nepali private sector participation in targeted global value chains. The Udhyam Nepal Activity will help chart a new growth path as the economy recovers—one that capitalizes on global integration to diversify toward higher quality and higher value exports. It will foster sustainable job growth and income-generating opportunities for those that have previously been left behind by economic growth in Nepal, creating greater sustainability and resiliency. The Activity will achieve this through interventions that incentivize public and private sector actors across the entrepreneurial and business ecosystem to adopt new behaviors driving outcomes across three Objectives:

(1)  To increase access to market-based financial and non-financial services;
(2)  To increase productivity in sectors with high growth and employment potential; and
(3)  To improve the investment climate and BEE, especially for targeted sectors.

 The Activity will support Development Objective 1 of USAID Nepal's CDCS, to promote inclusive growth, and meet align with USAID's Economic Growth Policy, Digital Strategy, Private Sector Engagement Policy, and Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy.

This is a five-year program; however, the position is currently for one year with opportunity for renewal.  This full-time position is based in Kathmandu.

Access to Finance Manager – Overview:

The Access to Finance Manager will lead the management and implementation of the activities aimed towards increasing availability and diversity of financial services in SME landscape. She/he will perform assessments to identify and address the key factors affecting the lack of financial products/ services and available funding for SMEs and help in devising appropriate interventions that impacts the cause of SMEs’ access to finance positively. The Access to Finance Manager will be responsible for the implementation of the technical works aimed towards improving access to finance of the targeted sectors (agriculture/ agri-business, tourism and digital services) by designing and executing effective strategies to support the implementation of the Udhyam Nepal Activity. She/he, inter alia will manage and implement the interventions related to the conducting of assessments (mapping) of the landscape and gaps, facilitation of development of appropriate regulations/ policies, strategies, financial products/ services and capacity enhancement activities, supervise technical programs and technical assistance to SMEs and finance/fund providers (BFIs, social impact investors/ funds, private equity firms, co-operatives  etc.), development of strong partnerships with the finance providers and value chain actors of public and private sector and promotion of adoption and development of FinTech solutions. She/he reports directly to the Lead of Objective 1 and is responsible for establishing and maintaining constructive working relationships with stakeholders spanning the public sector, private sector, and civil society in Nepal and with other development partners and USAID implementers. The Manager will work with the rest of the technical teams of Udhyam Nepal to leverage financial services and solutions in improving productivity and competitiveness of SMEs and value chains in the Activity’s priority sectors.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

1. Analysis, Review, Identification  of key constraints and opportunities to increase MSME’s access to investments and financial   services

a) Conduct assessments of the current market and landscape related to financial services sector and its provision to SMEs within Nepal and in the region.

b) Carry out mapping exercises of the current SME landscape in financial services sector and conduct an analysis relating to organizational, management, logistics, technical, informational capabilities and other resources of these SMEs to meet market requirements and harness opportunities determined in (a).

c) Review the current policy/ regulatory/ strategic/ business model framework in the financial services value chain affecting finance and financial service providers (Banks and Financial institutions, co-operatives, private equity firms, risk/ social impact fund providers, crowd funding platforms etc.) and SMEs as their clients.

d) Review the current regulatory frameworks and gaps related to the adoption of proper FinTech solutions by the supply and demand side actors of financial service value chain.

e) Analyse the current strategy/ initiatives of the government and private sector related to financial services provisions to SMEs.   

f) Identification of gaps, constraints and effective solution options on the basis of the assessments, mapping, reviews and analysis done.

2. Strategizing and planning, identifying key leverage areas

a) Develop strategies, plans and interventions in order to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs through provisions of diverse financial services and their easier access.

b) Design interventions related to the firm-level and market driven assistance and supports to help SMEs overcome constraints, acquire necessary organizational and technical capabilities and adopt innovative and sustainable business models in order to take advantage of market opportunities related to the access to finance.

c) Design interventions involving various stakeholders like BDSPs, BSOs (Business Service Organizations), ESOs (Entrepreneurial Service Organizations), TVTPs (Technical and Vocational Training Providers), Training Institutes, Consultants, Experts, Academic Institutions etc. in providing capacity enhancement and other technical supports to partner financial (banking and non-banking) institutions, as well as SMEs.

3.  Implementation of the strategies, plans and designed interventions

a) Take lead in the implementation of designed strategies, plans of actions and designed interventions aimed towards improving productivity and competitiveness of the SMEs through provisions of diverse financial services and their easier access.

b) Collaborate with various government and private sector actors (majorly finance and financial service providers) and any other associated stakeholders in relation to the cause of enhancing productivity and competitiveness of SMEs through provisions of diverse financial services and their easier access.

c) Collaborate with Objective  3 in the development of institutional and regulatory/ legal framework and implementing measure  to improve  the business enabling environment to encourage investment and promote growth of SMEs through provisions of diverse financial services and their easier access.

d) Collaborate with Objective 2 in ensuring the provisions of diverse financial services and their easier access to target sectors with high growth and employment potential.

e) Facilitate market linkages, networks, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration among various government and private sector actors (with finance providers, sources of funding, insurance companies, partner institutions, collaborators, private sector players, and any other associated stakeholders) in order to ensure provisions of diverse financial services and their easier access to SMEs.

f) Develop and supervise delivery of capacity development training programs and other technical assistance to various private sector actors (majorly finance and financial service providers)  as well as other relevant value chain actors.

Other General Responsibilities:

1.Manage and supervise the project activities, resources and personnel as per the strategic direction provided by the lead of objective 1.

2. Assist Objective 1 Lead in overall leadership, management oversight and technical direction in relation to the portfolio of ‘access to finance’

3. Act as a key point of contact and liaison for all the stakeholders (GoN counterparts, Local Partners, Beneficiaries, Collaborators etc.) in relation to the activities related to ‘access to finance’.

4. Collect and report on relevant data for reporting to USAID and the relevant project partners in close co-ordination with the MEL Manager.

5. Contribute regular inputs for IPS-C’s weekly, quarterly, and annual reporting, in addition to creating success stories as required.

6. Carry out additional tasks in relation to ‘access to finance’, as per the request of the Objective 1 Lead.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree, such as MBA or M.A. in Economics or M.S. in Finance, or other relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the banking/financial sector, including 3 years of experience in SME lending or related activities.
• Understanding of the applicable legal/ regulatory frameworks in relation to ‘access to finance to SMEs’Experience working in a team environment, possessing excellent people skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Nepali and proficiency in reporting and presenting.
• Nepalese nationality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of the financial sector and supply side of the finance (angel investment, co-operatives, private equity, crowd funding) to SMEs of Nepal.
• Knowledge of banking and financial products and services with an understanding of credit procedures and SME financing.
• Experience in working with local SMEs, governments, and particularly the private sector.
• Experience in the implementation of donor-funded projects involving multiple partners and host country counterparts is preferred.
• Practical understanding of aspects related to the social inclusion, gender equity, and women’s economic empowerment.

Reporting Requirements
This position will report to the Objective 1 (access to market-based financial and non-financial services) Lead

Place of Performance
Level of effort: Full time 

Location: Kathmandu, with travel to other locations of the country as required

Attention:  Please ensure resume/application DOES NOT INCLUDE personal information such as gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, religion.