Officer- SME Access to Finance

The Officer - SME Access to Finance will lead the design and implementation of project interventions aimed at improving access to finance for small and medium enterprises, particularly in war-affected communities. The role involves strengthening SME capacity to develop bankable projects, facilitating linkages with financial institutions and funding mechanisms, and coordinating economic recovery initiatives within the Area-Based Recovery Framework in Ukraine.

Responsibilities

• Perform rapid assessments of needs and development opportunities for local businesses, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate and promote access to finance for SMEs by strengthening their capacity to prepare bankable projects and complete application packages for lending programmes of commercial banks, IFI credit lines, and national entrepreneurship promotion programs.
• Support SMEs and start-ups to access available financial instruments including concessional loans, guarantees, grants, IFI-backed facilities, and bank products dedicated to vulnerable groups.
• Examine and map SME finance support mechanisms for war-affected groups and prepare prioritised recommendations for UNDP interventions.
• Provide technical and advisory support to improve SMEs and start-ups bankability including business planning, financial modelling, credit application support, and investment readiness.
• Coordinate with business support organizations to link skills training with viable self-employment and enterprise creation pathways.
• Offer technical and thematic direction and supervise consultants and contracting companies responsible for economic assessments, research, and knowledge products.
• Coordinate implementation of UNDP low-value grant programs for NGOs and business service providers.
• Ensure operational management of assigned tasks including procurement, resource management, and budget preparation.
• Manage day-to-day activities of the assigned portfolio and overall implementation process to optimize resources and achieve project objectives.
• Provide subject matter technical advice and ensure outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards.
• Ensure implementation activities align with UNDP policy and integrate gender equality perspectives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with partners, government officials, local authorities, businesses, NGOs, banks, and other stakeholders.
• Develop stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify needs and leverage participation.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners and act as liaison between UNDP and partners.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.
• Review results framework and update indicators, baselines, and targets.
• Develop strategies and systems for data collection, verification, information sharing, and reporting.
• Monitor implementation progress and manage emerging issues, problems, and risks.
• Liaise with Finance team to ensure administrative and budgetary compliance.
• Prepare corporate, donor, and government reports in line with requirements.
• Contribute to operational and financial closure of the project.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned from the project and partners.
• Participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and collaboration opportunities.
• Ensure mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the field of expertise.
• Promote a safe, enabling environment free of discrimination and abusive behaviour.
• Assist with briefing personnel and partners about sexual harassment and exploitation policies.
• Perform other duties as necessary for efficient functioning of the Office and Organization.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Law, or related field is required, or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing economic or financial advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of humanitarian or development projects or other relevant areas.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Experience of working in international/multilateral organizations is desirable.
• Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals, advisory documents, terms of reference, analytical documents and results-focused reports.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining effective professional networks and developing strategic partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience in labor market support, entrepreneurship promotion, business development or other relevant economic field.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Skills

• Economic Advisory Services
• Financial Advisory
• Project Design
• Project Implementation
• Project Monitoring
• Project Evaluation
• Humanitarian Programme Management
• Development Project Management
• MS Word
• Excel
• Spreadsheet analysis
• Database Management
• Proposal Writing
• Report Writing
• Terms of Reference
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Partnership Development
• Labor Market Support
• Entrepreneurship Promotion
• Business Development
• SME Capacity Building
• Financial Institution Liaison

Languages

English, Ukrainian