Manager, Agriculture and Climate, Accion Advisory

Accion is seeking a Manager for Agriculture and Climate in Mumbai, India. This role involves developing innovative financial solutions to support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The manager will collaborate with financial institutions and agri-tech startups, providing technical assistance and designing climate-smart financial products. Fluency in English is required, as the position aims to enhance agricultural finance and climate resilience in India.
About Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build more than 230 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching more than 350 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.

About Accion Advisory

The Accion Advisory team combines decades of on-the-ground experience with insights into new technologies to help our partners become more sustainable and scalable. We work with a variety of organizations focused on serving the financial needs of low-income people and businesses in emerging markets. With a presence in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, our team provides strategic and operational support to strengthen our partners and maximize their impact on underserved customers.

Our team is comprised of Regional Program Managers (RPMs) and their teams who are responsible for driving new business, bringing local context and hands on experience to meet customer needs; and Practice Area Leads who are technical area experts responsible for building the Advisory team’s expertise in core areas, driving execution excellence, and capturing synergies across technical practice areas and regions. The Practice Area Leads seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the execution of our engagements and to develop reusable tools and collateral for specific areas of expertise that Accion Advisory brings to all of our clients.

Position Summary

The Manager of Agriculture and Climate will be a driving force in Accion Advisory's mission to revolutionize agricultural finance and empower smallholder farmers across India. Based in Mumbai, you will lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge financial solutions that build climate resilience and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This is an opportunity to shape the future of agriculture and make a lasting impact on the lives of millions.

In this dynamic role, you will partner with financial institutions, agri-tech startups, and other key stakeholders to design and deliver innovative financial products and services that meet the evolving needs of smallholder farmers in a changing climate.

Fluency in English is a must.

Position Responsibilities

I. Develop and Lead Projects:

A. Drive Climate-Smart Agriculture Finance:
• Identify and cultivate innovative advisory services that facilitate financial institutions in integrating climate-smart agriculture principles into their lending operations.
• Provide technical assistance to FIs on climate risk assessment, mitigation, and adaptation strategies for agricultural lending.
• Support the design and implementation of innovative financial products and services tailored to the needs of climate-vulnerable smallholder farmers.
• Collaborate with FIs to leverage technology and data to enhance the efficiency and reach of agricultural finance initiatives.

B. Project Management:
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with partner FIs and Accion Advisory colleagues.
• Manage project implementation, ensuring timely execution, effective communication, and adherence to quality standards.
• Monitor and evaluate project performance, ensuring alignment with project goals and Accion’s strategic objectives.

C. Capacity Building:
• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs to build the capacity of partner FI staff on climate-smart agriculture finance.
• Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship to support the integration of climate considerations into FI operations.
• Foster knowledge sharing and peer learning among partner institutions.

II. Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture:

A. Integrate Climate Risk Management:
• Work with FIs to incorporate climate risk assessments into their credit underwriting and portfolio management processes.
• Support the development of climate-resilient lending methodologies that promote sustainable agricultural practices.
• Contribute to the development of innovative insurance and risk mitigation products for smallholder farmers.

B. Champion Digital Innovation:
• Advise FIs on the use of digital technologies to enhance the delivery of agricultural finance services.
• Promote the adoption of digital tools and platforms that empower farmers to manage their finances and adapt to climate change.

C. Advocate for Inclusive Finance:
• Ensure that Accion Advisory’s interventions promote equitable access to finance for all smallholder farmers, including women and marginalized groups.
• Contribute to thought leadership and knowledge sharing on climate-smart agriculture finance and inclusive development.

III. Advance Accion's Thought Leadership and Strategic Initiatives:

A. Contribute to Strategic Direction:
• Provide insights and analysis on emerging trends in climate-smart agriculture finance and their potential impact on Accion Advisory's strategy.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and growth in the agricultural finance sector, with a focus on climate resilience and smallholder farmer empowerment.
• Contribute to the development of Accion Advisory's thought leadership in the field of climate-smart agriculture, representing the organization in relevant forums and publications.

B. Promote Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration:
• Share best practices and lessons learned from project implementation with colleagues and industry partners.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge resources, training materials, and publications that advance the field of climate-smart agriculture finance.
• Engage in research and analysis to deepen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in promoting sustainable agriculture and financial inclusion.

C. Enhance Accion's Visibility and Impact:
• Actively participate in conferences, workshops, and seminars to share Accion Advisory's expertise and promote its work in climate-smart agriculture finance.
• Identify opportunities to showcase Accion Advisory's learnings, insights, and innovations through publications, presentations, and other channels.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of thought leadership pieces that highlight the impact of Accion Advisory's work in promoting financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture.

Position Qualifications
• Master's degree in agricultural economics, finance, environmental studies, or a related field; Bachelor's degree with equivalent work experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of experience in the agricultural finance sector, with a demonstrated passion for serving smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful agricultural finance projects that integrate climate risk management and leverage technology.
• Experience working with financial institutions and agri-tech startups to develop and deliver innovative financial products and services.
• Familiarity with digital financial services and their application in the agricultural sector.
• Strong understanding of climate change impacts on agriculture and the challenges and opportunities faced by smallholder farmers.
• Knowledge of climate-smart agriculture practices, technologies, and innovative finance solutions.
• Expertise in agricultural finance product development, including credit risk assessment and portfolio management.
• Excellent project management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including financial institutions, government agencies, farmer organizations, and agri-tech startups.
• English fluency required.
• Proficiency in Hindi or other local languages is a plus.
• Deep commitment to Accion's mission of promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development.
• Passion for driving positive change in the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
• Interest in our mission and working globally.
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.

Travel Requirements
• Willingness and ability to travel 50% of the time.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.