JOB OPPORTUNITY

BRAC is the world’s largest, leading development organization dedicated to poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor. Initiated in Bangladesh in 1972, BRAC now operates in 11 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. To counter poverty and promote social empowerment, BRAC strategically integrates development programs in microfinance, agriculture, health, education, human rights and legal aid, community empowerment and more.

BRAC Liberia launched in 2008 with programs in Microfinance, Small Enterprise Development, Agriculture, Livestock and Poultry, Health, Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescent Girls, Psychosocial and Survival Support now impacting the lives of over 560,000 Liberians. BRAC Liberia is looking for competent, dynamic and self-motivated Liberians to fill the following regular position.

No. of Vacancies: Two (2)

Job Title : Agrifinance Area Manager

Tenure : 1 year

Salary : Negotiable

Reports to : Regional Manager- Microfinance

Duty Station : Ganta Area Office and Voinjama Area Office

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve BRAC’s goals on safeguarding.
2. Act as a resource of support and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
3. Practice, promote, and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action. d. Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage other to do so.

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Manager-MF, the job holder will provide supervision to the Agrifinance Credit Officers, Training on smart agriculture practices to Agrifinance Clients, Follow-up and field visit to client farms and home.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct credit assessments and be able to evaluate the repayment capacity and creditworthiness of potential and existing farmers based on estimations of their farming and household incomes, and crop yield. The financing and investment needed to expand their agriculture activities.
• Ensure the quality of the agricultural loan portfolio, including but not limited to portfolio growth, timely repayment, etc. Work closely with the branch manager, Microfinance Regional Manager, Program Manager, and Business Development Manager to ensure that agriculture loan is well managed in quality and quantity.
• Monitor loan repayment activities and take necessary action with an understanding of each customer’s current financial situation to offer workable alternatives to mitigate problems.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports and update respective supervisors on the agricultural loan portfolio.
• Prepare branch-wise yearly target plans and conduct monthly meetings with Branch Managers at the area office once a month.
• To follow up on at least two Agrifinance group meeting and at least two Agri Individual client’s farms while he/she visits the branch office and participate in various community affairs to increase the BRAC’s visibility and to create new business opportunities.
• To follow up on the BM’s daily activities both in the field and office and to verify member admission, loan scheme, and necessary paper documents as per requirement.
• Physically visit the farms of all clients requesting loans from BRAC Liberia Microfinance Company Limited and approve loans accordingly.
• Ensure timely loan disbursement at the branch along with Branch Manager, Agrifinance Credit Officer, and Teller.
• To check collection sheets, DCR, cash books, payment of the day, cash withdrawals from the bank, cash deposits at the bank, and cash transfers to Area Office during field visits.
• To guide and supervise BMs and Credit Officers to ensure the quality of members and the disbursement target.
• Train field operations team in new agriculture technology, horticulture techniques, and methods to enhance productivity in their agriculture activities.
• Conduct market linkage for our existing clients to enable them to generate income.
• Conduct monthly agricultural focus training for selected farmers on better planting, cultivation, and harvesting techniques, improving crop yield, and solving farming challenges.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Competencies:

Additional eligibility criteria, skills, and competencies:

• Fluently speak English. Local language will be an addition.
• Have knowledge of the agricultural sector of Liberia
• Have knowledge of the financing of value chains
• Able and willing to travel around field locations.
• Strong knowledge of farming/crop production practices
• Ability to manage and supervise employees.
• Strong leadership capabilities
• Educational Requirements: bachelor’s degree in agriculture, natural science, or resource management; or 2+ years of experience as a Farm Manager or equivalent industry experience. Master’s degree will be an added advantage.

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Therefore, our hiring process includes extensive background checks and criminal records disclosure. BRAC is an equal opportunities employer.

All qualified and interested applicants can submit a cover letter with their CVs with three referees, one of which should be your current or most recent employer/line manager, along with copy of your educational qualification. Applications should be submitted by email to: Recruitment.Liberia@brac.net, with the position title on the subject line. Qualified female’ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE: October 20, 2023

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED!