Overview
The Project Technical Analyst – MSME Finance will support the strengthening of programme management, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and technical service delivery systems to facilitate and promote access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The role will contribute to the rollout of the MSME financing strategy, delivery of targeted technical assistance interventions, and effective stakeholder coordination.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation of a USD 9 million European Union–funded partnership aimed at expanding access to finance for MSMEs in the sustainable tourism value chain.
- Coordinate day-to-day project activities to ensure timely delivery of outputs in line with approved workplans, budgets, and donor requirements.
- Monitor progress against targets and milestones, compiling quality inputs for periodic technical and financial reports to the donor.
- Contribute to the partner selection process, including drafting RFAs, supporting application screening and evaluation, participating in due diligence, and assisting with contract finalization and onboarding.
- Provide technical support to partner companies to strengthen implementation performance, track compliance with contractual obligations, and address emerging bottlenecks.
- Maintain and regularly update programme and budget tracking tools, working closely with the Project Officer to ensure alignment between financial delivery and programmatic progress.
- Facilitate coordination with internal teams, consultants, and external stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and timely resolution of operational issues.
- Ensure the timely delivery of high-quality results under the Sustainable Tourism Financing project, in line with approved workplans and performance targets.
- Maintain full compliance with UNCDF and UNDP policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks across all project activities and transactions.
- Contribute to the preparation of accurate, high-quality technical and donor reports, ensuring consistency between narrative progress, financial delivery, and results achieved.
- Review project documents, agreements, and contracts under the FinWise portfolio to ensure alignment with UNDP/UNCDF policies, supplementary guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
- Support the development and operationalization of the project’s Results Measurement Framework in Uganda, ensuring clear indicators, baselines, and reporting mechanisms are in place.
- Work closely with the Results Measurement team to strengthen portfolio monitoring, performance tracking, and impact reporting, contributing to a high-performing and accountable investment portfolio.
- Assist in the planning, coordination, and follow-up of project audits, evaluations, and monitoring missions, ensuring timely documentation, compliance, and implementation of recommendations.
- Manage and regularly update the project Results Framework (logframe), ensuring accurate tracking of outputs, outcomes, and key performance indicators.
- Support the implementation and continuous refinement of the project’s Results Measurement Framework in Uganda, ensuring clear data collection, verification, and reporting processes.
- Document lessons learned, success stories, and operational insights, and support their dissemination through briefs, reports, and knowledge products.
- Contribute to UNCDF knowledge products and thought leadership initiatives on MSME financing within the sustainable tourism sector.
- Support the organization of learning events, workshops, and experience-sharing platforms for government counterparts, private sector actors, national associations, and other key stakeholders.
- Facilitate internal knowledge sharing to promote adaptive management and continuous improvement across the project portfolio.
- Manage the partnership with UNDP technical team - as a joint implementing partner.
- Coordinate engagement with consortium partners (Enabel, UNESCO) to ensure harmonized delivery of the EU programme.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government counterparts and industry stakeholders in the Sustainable Tourism Value chain.
- Keeps abreast with key changes in policy/regulatory environment, strategic focus of development partners and market developments.
- Identify areas of cooperation and coordination with other UNCDF initiatives, UN agencies, and other development partners and market facilitators that will help create an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium size businesses.
- Develop partnerships with new funders to ensure continuity of UNCDF’s work in green economy and climate change; draft proposals; and manage contracts especially reporting obligations.
- Manage the strategic partnership with the UNDP technical team, serving as a joint implementing partner to ensure effective coordination, alignment, and delivery of programme results.
- Coordinate engagement with consortium – implementing - partners, to ensure harmonized implementation, coherence of interventions, and achievement of the EU programme objectives.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with government counterparts, private sector actors, and industry associations across the Sustainable Tourism value chain.
- Monitor and analyze key developments in the policy and regulatory environment, development partner strategies, and market trends to inform programme positioning and strategic decision-making.
- Identify and advance areas of cooperation and coordination with other UNCDF initiatives, UN agencies, development partners, and market facilitators to strengthen the enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Develop and cultivate partnerships with new and existing funders to ensure sustainability and scale of UNCDF’s green economy and climate change portfolio – including drafting of idea notes and concept notes.
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
- Manage and supervise Digital Finance Analyst (NPSA 9).
Required Experience
- A minimum of two (2) years (with masters’ degree), or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Development Finance.
- At least 2 years of which should be in Uganda’s renewable energy sector in areas of market development and project/programme management in progressively senior & responsible managerial positions is required.
- Experience in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) financing is required.
- Experience in managing country operations, projects and/or programmes and supervising teams is required.
- Experience working with multinational and bilateral organizations and government bodies is required.
- Experience in providing business development and investment readiness services to Micro, Small and Medium enterprises is desired.
- Experience working in Digital Financial Services is desired.
- Experience in providing technical assistance to private sector actors that serve MSMEs to access finance is desired.
- Experience drafting RFAs, supporting application screening and evaluation, participating in due diligence is desired.
- Experience working for the United Nations is desired.
- Experience developing idea notes and concept notes for new project development and fundraising is desired.
Qualifications
- An advanced university degree (a master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Economics, Finance, Accounting, Development Studies, Management, or a related discipline is required.
- Or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
