Join us in the exciting role of managing Progreso Fund and be part of our mission to facilitate impactful finance for “the missing middle” smallholder coffee & cocoa farmer organizations.
Location: Amsterdam/Hybrid
Start: Immediate
Hours: 24 hours contract
Language: Dutch and English (Spanish and French are a plus)
About Progreso
Progreso is a Foundation (25+ years) strengthening coffee and cocoa producer organizations to become professional businesses. We focus on sustainable production, access to markets, and access to finance. Progreso is active in seven key countries of origin in Latin America, Africa & Asia with 20 experts on the ground. Progreso is well supported by a variety of donors allowing us to expand our activities.
The strategy evolves around 3 interlinked pillars which strengthen each other in a unique proposition that we offer to producer organizations:
- Tailor-made Technical Assistance on amongst others financial management, accounting, marketing, agroforestry, internal funds, and business planning
- Data proficiency through Beyco, a product and financial traceability platform and digital data management App.
- Facilitating small-scale loans through Progreso Fund
Progreso Fund
Progreso Fund is providing small-scale pre-export financing for coffee & cocoa smallholder organizations. There is a growing demand for Progreso Fund as similar funds are increasingly focussing on the larger exports/organizations and therefore the missing middle is growing.. To increase the impact of our activities and manage the risk of our loans, we only finance trade finance agreements for producer organizations which are already obtaining Technical Assistance.
Progreso Fund Manager
In order to further expand and professionalize the Fund we seek an inspiring, team driven & entrepreneurial Fund Manager responsible for:
- Managing the lending activities to TA clients and selective non-TA clients
- Overseeing and managing the fund pipeline
- Chairing the Fund Committee
- Providing leadership to the Credit Analyst (based on origin)
- Providing guidance & knowledge transfer to the consultants in preparation for their Credit Approval (“CA”)in collaboration with the Credit Analyst
- Verifying Financial Analysis, Budgeting and Forecasting
- Creating a consistent approach and engagement parameters for smallholder organizations taking the differences of the various countries into consideration
- Creating a meaningful/practical guide and credit policies as well as a Risk Appetite Statement
- Defining rules and policies on provisioning to mitigate risks
- Monitoring the performance of funded organizations to ensure adherence to agreements and assess impact
- Enhancing a culture of risk awareness and a shared sense of urgency in the team
- Providing input & support/facilitating the Funding process e.g. presentations to donors/funders
- Determining the overall strategy of Progreso Fund
- Timely & accurate reporting of all relevant counterparty exposures
Your Profile
In this role, it is essential to be able to work in a complex environment, have a strong client and sustainability focus, excellent (intercultural) collaboration skills and maintain a result- driven mindset. In addition, it is important that you recognize yourself in the qualifications below:
- A relevant degree in finance, economics, agriculture, or a related field is preferred
- At least 7 years of relevant lending experience within the coffee and/or cocoa supply chains with preferably a like-minded organization or financial institution/MFI
- Understanding the dynamics of Technical Assistance to farmer organizations
- Understanding or experience in the coffee & cocoa markets is an advantage
- Fluent in English (verbally & written), Spanish is an advantage
- Assertive, passionate team player, hands-on approach with excellent (intercultural) communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to write, present and convey complex ideas and issues clearly and coherently
- Strong knowledge of MSOffice package tools, CRM Systems and Data Analytics tools
- Analytical, disciplined and having a shared sense of urgency to get things done
- Proactive attitude and able and willing to travel on a regular basis
What we offer
- An opportunity to be part of Progreso’s mission of making the coffee and cocoa supply chain more sustainable.
- You will be part of an inspiring team of 25 professionals in the Netherlands and several of our key origins.
- An excellent working atmosphere and entrepreneurial environment with loads of freedom and growth opportunities.
- Market-competitive salary.
- An impactful position with a great office in Amsterdam, located at the KIT.
Interested and are you the person we are looking for? Please send your motivation and CV to admin@progreso.nl
Closing date for accepting applications: 31st of January 2025
