Agri Finance and R&D Specialist - Technical Support Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been operational in India since 1951, focusing on various aspects of human development. The organization collaborates with the Government of India and other development partners to tackle issues such as poverty eradication, inequality reduction, local governance strengthening, community resilience enhancement, environmental protection, and policy support. UNDP India aims to accelerate sustainable development through its projects and programs across all states and union territories, working closely with national and subnational governments and diverse development actors. The current Country Programme (2023-2027) emphasizes integrated development solutions across three strategic portfolios: building accountable institutions for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhancing economic opportunities and social protection, and promoting climate-smart solutions. UNDP is committed to supporting India's national development vision and achieving SDGs, particularly for marginalized communities.

Job Overview:
The Agri Finance and R&D Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of agricultural finance initiatives under the UNDP's Country Programme. This position involves engaging with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, to assess the financial needs of farmers and agricultural enterprises. The specialist will lead comprehensive assessments of financial requirements across different agricultural sectors, analyze financing gaps, and develop sector-specific financing frameworks. The role also includes designing innovative financial products for agriculture value chain financing, providing policy advisory support to the Ministry, and promoting digital financial channels. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that financial products align with digital platforms and regulatory frameworks, thereby enhancing access to finance for small and marginal farmers. This position requires a strategic mindset to identify challenges in agricultural finance and propose sustainable solutions, while also facilitating collaboration with financial institutions and market stakeholders to strengthen the agricultural financing ecosystem.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead assessments of financial needs for farmers, FPOs, and agripreneurs, focusing on regional and crop-specific requirements.
• Analyze financing gaps across various stages of agricultural production and develop financing frameworks for different sectors.
• Conceptualize and guide the design of innovative financial products for agriculture value chain financing.
• Review and recommend improvements in the roles of Business Facilitators and Business Correspondents to enhance agricultural credit delivery.
• Identify structural and operational challenges in agricultural finance and propose innovative financing solutions.
• Provide senior-level policy advisory support to the Ministry regarding agricultural finance schemes.
• Oversee assessments of financing mechanisms and recommend strategies to deepen formal credit penetration.
• Engage with financial institutions to gather inputs for product redesign and innovation.
• Promote digital financial channels and support the integration of eNAM with formal credit solutions. 1
• Liaise with international organizations to analyze global best practices in agricultural finance. 1
• Review domestic and international business practices to identify risks in agri-finance. 1
• Provide support and guidance to stakeholders for the implementation of agricultural finance schemes. 1
• Ensure sound financial management practices and adherence to regulatory guidelines.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Agriculture, Rural Management, Insurance, Finance, Banking, Investment, or related fields is required.
• Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the stated areas, combined with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a master's degree or 7 years with a bachelor's degree in the banking and finance sector, particularly at national or state levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge of rural insurance and finance, with substantive technical expertise in strategic planning and results-based management.
• Proven ability to analyze challenges in Agri-finance and develop strategic solutions.
• Experience in policy advisory support and collaboration with financial institutions is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Agriculture, Rural Management, Insurance, Finance, Banking, or Investment. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in these areas, along with 2 additional years of qualifying experience, is acceptable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience for candidates with a master's degree or 7 years for those with a bachelor's degree. Experience should be in working with governments or public sector entities in the banking and finance sector, with a focus on agricultural finance and rural development.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Hindi is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in New Delhi, India, and is likely to be a full-time role. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity in its workforce. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks to ensure adherence to the organization's standards and principles.