Agriculture, Market Systems and Climate Finance Senior Advisor

VisionFund International is seeking an Agriculture, Market Systems and Climate Finance Senior Advisor to provide technical leadership across agricultural finance, market systems and climate finance initiatives. The role supports VisionFund’s microfinance network through product development, strategy, grant-funded programmes, resource development, knowledge management and implementation support across multiple countries.

Key Job Information

• Position: Agriculture, Market Systems and Climate Finance Senior Advisor
• Organization: VisionFund International
• Locations: Lusaka, Zambia; Dakar, Senegal; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; or Eswatini National Office, Eswatini
• Employment Type: Full time
• Job Reference: JR52739
• Application Deadline: 25 October 2026
• Applicant Type: Local Applicants Only
• Travel Requirement: Up to 35% domestic and international travel

About VisionFund International

VisionFund is World Vision’s microfinance provider, serving vulnerable clients through loans, savings and insurance. Its work primarily supports rural clients in 28 countries, helping families develop livelihoods, create incomes and jobs, and build more secure futures for their children.

About the Role

The Agriculture, Market Systems and Climate Finance Senior Advisor will serve as the technical lead and focal point for three connected areas of intervention: agricultural finance, market systems and climate finance. The position will provide technical advice, support product development, guide strategy and organizational positioning, and contribute to resource development and programme management.

A key responsibility will be managing the CrediEnterprise credit product pilot under the THRIVE 2030 programme across nine countries in Africa and Central America. The role will oversee implementation, reporting, capacity building and coordination with World Vision partners while using programme learning to support additional institutional funding opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Advisory

• Provide technical advice to VisionFund operations and MicroFinance Institutions on agricultural, market systems and climate finance best practices.
• Lead VisionFund’s Internal Climate Financing working group and contribute to strategy, product development and market positioning.
• Represent VisionFund in technical working groups and Environmental and Climate Action forums.

Resource Development

• Provide technical content and advice for agricultural, market systems and climate finance grant applications.
• Lead efforts to position VisionFund with agricultural, climate and market systems-focused donors and opportunities.
• Leverage learning from CrediEnterprise implementation under THRIVE 2030 to support additional institutional funding.
• Represent the organization in technical grant calls and donor visits when required.
• Track ESCA climate-finance engagements and opportunities.
• Support implementation of institutional funding for agricultural, climate, green and market systems initiatives.
• Lead sector learning, evidence documentation and dissemination to support positioning and resource acquisition.

Operational Delivery

• Manage CrediEnterprise implementation and work with MFI country managers and World Vision field offices to deliver THRIVE 2030 targets.
• Support training, coaching and mentoring for MFI staff involved in the CrediEnterprise product.
• Monitor CrediEnterprise performance metrics, including PAR, GLP and client figures, using core banking and impact tracking systems.
• Assess implementation progress, resolve bottlenecks and agree corrective actions with MFIs and relevant regional and operational teams.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained in MFI partnerships with equipment suppliers, offtakers and other partners.
• Coordinate the integration of CrediEnterprise with other financial products, including insurance and savings.
• Support recruitment and training of Agriculture and Business Development Officers and build their capacity to use e-THRIVE and other digital platforms.

Programme Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Establish a structured monitoring and evaluation framework for CrediEnterprise in collaboration with the VFI Global Impact team.
• Coordinate technical input into quarterly DME and narrative reporting for THRIVE 2030.
• Review market systems reports to identify opportunities to expand CrediEnterprise financing across THRIVE countries.
• Develop annual priorities, implementation plans and budgets for the function.
• Produce case studies, implementation briefs and other learning products for Community of Practice activities.

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in agricultural, climate and market systems finance, preferably in Africa.
• Degree in Agricultural Economics or a relevant agricultural discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Post-graduate level qualification.
• Proven experience in market systems and agricultural lending, including understanding of farmer value chains, production cycles and cash flows.
• Ability to communicate the fundamentals of market systems and climate resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to implement projects and follow through on agreed actions.
• Good communication skills when working with staff and partners.
• Experience in partnerships, grant applications, reporting and other professional writing.
• Experience working across multiple countries is an advantage.
• Experience in value chain or market systems financing or financing for agricultural cooperatives.
• Experience designing or implementing programmes with a climate change component.
• Working proficiency in written and spoken English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with NGOs, agricultural partners and market actors.
• Experience delivering training in value chain and market systems development.
• Formal training or certifications in agricultural, market systems or agricultural finance.
• Digital experience.
• Spoken and written Spanish or French.

How to Apply

Qualified local applicants interested in the Agriculture, Market Systems and Climate Finance Senior Advisor position can submit their application through the VisionFund International recruitment platform. The application deadline is 25 October 2026.

Applicants should note that World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization and that successful applicants are expected, where legally permissible, to affirm its core documents, observe conduct compatible with Christian principles, maintain professional ethics and follow applicable policies regarding team and office devotions, chapel and prayer gatherings.