Role Overview

The Inclusive Finance Officer will strengthen access to finance and financial inclusion for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agri-SMEs across Solidaridad’s portfolio in East and Central Africa. The role will identify innovative finance models, build strong linkages with financial institutions, and develop tailored financial solutions that unlock investment for sustainable agricultural development. A key focus is on ensuring the underserved – especially women, youth, and rural entrepreneurs – are integrated into financial ecosystems and can access services that are affordable, appropriate, and inclusive.

Key Responsibilities

Financial inclusion strategy and ecosystem development

• Design and implement financial inclusion strategies aligned with Solidaridad’s agricultural development objectives.
• Build relationships with banks, MFIs, SACCOs, fintechs, and other financial intermediaries to improve access for smallholders and agri-SMEs.
• Organise matchmaking events and B2B forums linking SMEs and funders.
• Collaborate with FSPs to design and pilot innovative financial products (e.g. loan, savings, and insurance products) tailored to smallholders, rural clients, women, and youth.

SME & Farmer access to finance

• Assess financing needs and constraints among smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and rural enterprises.
• Provide technical assistance in developing business plans, loan applications, and investment cases.
• Support farmers and SMEs in improving their bankability and financial management skills.
• Track repayment performance and promote financial literacy at the grassroots level.

Crowdfunding, Investment Origination & SME Support

• Identify, assess, and package investment opportunities for early-stage and growth-oriented agribusinesses aligned with Solidaridad’s crowdfunding platform.
• Conduct due diligence, including financial viability, risk assessments, and investment-readiness evaluations.
• Support post-investment tracking including loan monitoring, repayment status, and investor reporting.
• Maintain an active SME investee pipeline and coordinate pipeline reviews.
• Provide technical assistance to SMEs and cooperatives on business development, governance, and marketing.

Field Support & Knowledge Sharing

• Conduct regular field visits to provide on-the-ground support to farmers and SMEs.
• Collect case studies, impact stories, and lessons learned for regional learning.
• Facilitate in-person and virtual training, workshops, and review sessions with local partners.

Proposal Development, Fundraising, & Strategic Partnerships

• Support in crafting investment and donor proposals with detailed cost structures and financial models.
• Contribute to fundraising strategies and concept development.
• Identify and onboard co-investment and co-funding partners.
• Work closely with the Business Development and Market Access teams on value chain strengthening.

Strategic Innovation in Inclusive Finance

• Pilot and scale innovative access-to-finance models targeting marginalized groups.
• Contribute to the development of internal tools, training materials, and templates.
• Support integration of financial inclusion strategies in donor proposals and new programs.
• Work with MEL teams to embed impact metrics and monitor the success of financial inclusion efforts.

Qualifications and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Development Finance, or related field.
• A Master’s degree or relevant certification in financial inclusion, impact investing, or enterprise development is a strong asset.

Professional Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in financial inclusion, SME finance, rural lending, or agri-business development.
• Demonstrated experience working with MFIs, SACCOs, banks, fintechs, or donor-funded financial programmes.
• Prior experience structuring agri-SME financing, crowdfunding campaigns, or blended finance solutions.
• Familiarity with smallholder farming systems, cooperative governance, and value chain financing in East Africa.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical skills in financial modelling, risk assessment, and investment readiness.
• Practical understanding of inclusive finance models for low-income, rural, and informal sector clients.
• Excellent facilitation, training, and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, financial tools; CRM or pipeline tracking systems is an asset.
• Strong written and spoken communication in English, as well as Kiswahili or other regional languages preferred.
• High integrity, adaptability, and ability to work independently under pressure.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Innovative and solutions-oriented, with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Adaptable team player with experience working in multicultural, cross-functional environments.