De aanvraag is ZZP geschikt!

Assignment details:
• Period: 6-9 months
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands (NL work permit required)
• Occasional travel required
• Start date: as soon as possible

Are you a climate finance expert that thrives in a dynamic environment? Then this assignment at Smallholder Agroforestry Finance B.V. is just the thing for you.

Smallholder Agroforestry Finance B.V. (SAF) is an independent, purpose-driven enterprise founded by Rabobank and Rabo Foundation and funded by development finance institutions. SAF provides innovative financing to organizations supporting smallholder farmers in transitioning to agroforestry and combating climate change. Through Rabobank Acorn, farmers access voluntary carbon markets, improving their livelihoods, biodiversity, food security, and soil health. The planted trees sequester CO2, helping in the fight against climate change.

Assignment description:
During this assignment you will support the SAF team (7 FTE) working towards a first-close of SAF’s climate finance facility and simultaneously working on the financing of 1-3 pilot projects:
- As an experienced impact finance professional, you will support the final stages of fundraising and structuring of a EUR 100-250 million facility. You will liaise with a committed group of donors and financiers, and handle financial structuring (incl. financial modelling) and legal negotiations.
- In addition, you will collaborate with local implementation partners (e.g. NGO’s and farmer cooperatives) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to finance smallholder farmers' transition to agroforestry. You will oversee loan structuring, write credit risk applications and maintain the relationship with local partners for 1-3 pilot projects.
- In addition, we are working towards clear milestones:
1) the first close of the EUR 100m facility (a type of fund that will go live), which means that all legal documentation with the 6 financiers (from whom SAF receives funding) has been signed, and
2) the financing of 1 or more pilot projects, which means that loans will be provided to 1 or more Acorn agroforestry projects.

When is the assignment considered completed? The project is considered completed when these milestones have been reached, or when the assignment period has ended earlier:
1) the first close of the EUR 100m facility (a type of fund going live), which means that all legal documentation has been signed with the 6 financiers, and
2) the financing of 1 or more pilot projects, which means that loans are provided to 1 or more Acorn agroforestry projects.

Embrace the challenge of shaping this innovative climate finance initiative and make a significant impact!

Responsibilities
- Fundraising and financial structuring:
- Support in structuring SAF’s EUR 100-250 million blended finance facility and foster relations with lenders
- Update SAF’s financial model and prepare documentation (e.g. Impact Finance Policy)
- Assist in the legal negotiation and documentation phase up to first close
- Credit analysis and disbursement of loans and grants:
- Perform (credit and ESG) risk assessments on implementation partners and projects.
- Conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and onsite due diligence visits.
- Write credit proposals for SAF’s Credit Committee.
- Monitor project implementation and performance with milestone-based disbursements and if KPI’s are met.
- Liaise with Rabobank Acorn’s account manager for consistency in project implementation.
- Review , negotiate and approve legal documentation related to the loans to local partners.

Skills
• Strong understanding of financial instruments and agricultural development finance, climate finance, and/or agroforestry in the Global South.
• Proficient in writing credit proposals, conducting due diligence, preparing business cases, and structuring loans and guarantee structures.
• Proactive, pragmatic, culturally sensitive, results-oriented, hands-on, organized, and taking ownership.
• Analytical, prioritize and problem-solving skills: identify problems, gather information, define causes, determine solutions and inform/ convince stakeholders.

Profile - Must have skills:
During your assignment as Investment Manager at Smallholder Agroforestry Finance B.V. you take initiative and show ownership, enthusiasm, you are inventive, a good listener, can ask critical questions and have strong communication skills. In addition, it’s important that you recognize yourself in the list below:
• Master's degree in economics, finance, or business administration, with at least 3-5 years' experience in impact finance or project finance.
• Proficient in writing credit proposals, conducting due diligence, preparing business cases, and structuring loans and guarantee structures.
• Strong understanding of financial instruments and agricultural development finance, climate finance, and/or agroforestry in the Global South.
• Excellent command of English; proficiency in Spanish, French, or other languages is an advantage.
• Comfortable presenting to senior management.
• Proactive, pragmatic, culturally sensitive, results-oriented, hands-on, organized, and taking ownership.
• Analytical, prioritize and problem-solving skills: identify problems, gather information, define causes, determine solutions and inform/ convince stakeholders.
• Team player that assists colleagues.
• Must have a working permit in the Netherlands.

Salarisschaal: FKS09RG000RG