Business Development Analyst

UNDP Zimbabwe is working with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Zimbabwe to support the government of Zimbabwe attain its climate goals through the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP). The CAWEP programme aims to support vulnerable communities and institutions’ adaptation and resilience capacity to climate shocks. Through this programme UNDP and FCDO is supporting the development of climate resilient, water and renewable energy infrastructure in vulnerable communities of Zimbabwe to enable (i) continued access to water for productive and household use, including during droughts and floods, and (ii) improved access to clean and affordable energy to support economic activities with the intention of supporting more sustainable livelihoods’ outcomes. The project will align and contribute towards the Government of Zimbabwe's (GoZ) climate change priorities outlined in various strategies, such as its National Development Strategy.

Against this background, the UNDP Zimbabwe Country Office is seeking a Business Development Analyst to support the Project Manager and the other project team members in implementation, and provision of technical support to the relevant government stakeholders and project participants to achieve the desired project results. The Business Development Analyst will report to the Project Manager and will work in liaison with the UNDP CO colleagues, Partners and Government-nominated project focal points.

• Oversee the engagement process of the insurance company that will provide insurance cover for water  and energy infrastructure.
• Support the government to conduct background checks of the selected insurance company including spot checks and company visits.
• Support the review of previous audit reports of the insurance company with a view to safeguard community investments.
• Lead the day-to-day communication with the insurance company so that communities are regularly updated and informed of any developments. 
• Support utilization of evidence by different groups on the use of insurance products by organizing knowledge exchange visits and peer learning events amongst communities. 
• Review narrative and financial claims in and liaise with CAWEP Finance Officer before an insurance claim is submitted by the communities to the insurance company. 
• Prepare monthly project implementation reports together with the Government focal person based on the premium contributions and the functionality of the water infrastructure. 
• Identify challenges and lessons learned across different water point committees and support the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries Water, and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) to contribute to a process of institutional learning through documenting lessons learned and contribution to modification of strategies and programmes.

Manage and monitor the small grants under the CAWEP portfolio

• Manage operational processes related to the grants life-cycle, including budget revisions and disbursements in collaboration with Finance colleagues.
• Lead the day to day communication with grant recipients under CAWEP.
• Monitor and assess progress towards overall results based on results framework and monitoring schedules, in close coordination with the CAWEP M&E Officer.
• Undertake technical support missions and summarize key findings and recommendations.
• Review narrative and financial reports and liaise with CAWEP Finance and Operations Analyst before final approval for grants and subsequent disbursements.
• In close coordination with the Finance and Operations Analyst perform basic review of Financial reporting to secure consistency between financial spending and project implementation.
• Assist in preparing bi-annual programme progress reports for submission to the Steering Committee
• Support the Knowledge management specialist and the Programme Manager in generating ad-hoc donor reports in adherence with contractual obligations.

Provide technical support and guidance to CAWEP project participant and small and medium enterprises.

• Provide technical support and guidance to farmers through conducting farming as a business training.
• Provide knowledge management support on farming as a business to different groups based on context specific needs.
• In close coordination with Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) and the Project Manager, provide technical support to the production of capacity development tools, including training materials and packages, programme guidance notes and other related support, specifically as it relates to monitoring and reporting for  government stakeholders and project participants 
• Monitor and assess progress towards overall results based on results framework and monitoring schedules, in close coordination with the CAWEP M&E Analyst.
• Undertake technical support missions and summarize key findings and recommendations for strengthening business development in the targeted communities.
• Assist in preparing quarterly and bi-annual project progress reports for submission to the UNDP management, the Steering Committee and Donors in adherence with contractual obligations.
• Prepare monthly Programme implementation plans together with CAWEP management and field teams.

Promote utilization of evidence in CAWEP interventions

• Facilitate function action-oriented market assessment for the energy and agriculture and off-farm intervention. 
• Ensure feedback of evidence from CAWEP project activities and other components in UNDP. 
• Ensure on-the-ground experience is fed back into policy review processes.

Ensure knowledge sharing and guidance to CAWEP project participant and government stakeholder and private sector partners

• Identify challenges and lessons learned across the business/market related intervention  and support the Project manager and government ministries       to contribute to a process of institutional learning through documenting lessons learned and contribution to modification of strategies and programmes.
• Support, organize and participate in knowledge sharing and capacity development events for grantees, 
• Ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Lead the documentation of programme success stories and other learning experiences at National level for possible visibility.
• Conduct analysis of the on-going value chains supported under CAWEP and promote linkages which connect rural producers to markets and financial services. 
• Ensure on-the-ground experience is fed back into policy review processes that promotes rural development with particular the aim of empowering women and youths.

The Business Development Analyst will report directly to the Project Manager and will closely work with the government WASH coordination structures, rural district councils and other government focal persons.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build and/or /maintain coalitions/partnership.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Functional/Technical competencies

Business Management 

• Project Management : Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. 

Administration & Operations

• Insurance management : Knowledge of policy and procedures on insurance; ability to conduct risk assessment to procure coverage; to ensure relevant tracking and reporting.

Operations: Finance 

• Development finance expertise: Ability to develop and work with innovative financing mechanisms and instruments, e.g. social/development impact bonds, guarantees, climate finance, etc.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature, Climate and Energy: Small Grants Programme: Community-based innovation for sustainable development solutions in the context of the environment. 

External Relations & Advocacy

• General (across the functions): Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image for the organization, its mandate and its brand, while ensuring that individual campaigns and other communications and advocacy initiatives are supported in reaching the public.

Business Management: Partnerships 

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
• Ability and willingness to travel within and outside Zimbabwe.
• Experience in managing and coordination with national counterparts, partners or donors.

• At least 3 years of of relevant experience and proven expertise and proficiency market, value chain and business development and rural insurance.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience and knowledge on resilience building, climate change adaptation, water and energy as well as disaster risk reduction.
• Demonstrable experience in implementing project through the government systems on aspects of local business /economic development, agriculture water and energy.
• Experience and knowledge in basic project monitoring and evaluation.
• Solid experience and knowledge in policy strategy document development, policy development and policy operationalization.
• Experience working with ministries, and national local government institutions that are concerned with market solutions to climate change, environmental management, energy, agriculture challenges will be an added advantage.
• Experience with UN coordination mechanisms such as UNDAF and humanitarian coordination an advantage.
• Proven experience in managing grantees and consultancy in business related interventions.
• Experience working in rural areas and in collaboration with local communities and government officials
• Experience in Business, Markets and local economic development experience in Southern and/or Eastern Africa.
• Experience in Macroeconomic analysis.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and motivational skills/experience and sensitivity to the local environment as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate the implementation of large multi-stakeholder projects, including financial and technical aspects.
• Demonstrated Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

• Fluency in English and  Shona and/or Ndebele is required.

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