Associate, Uganda

Aceli Africa is a market incentive facility with a mandate to mobilize $2 billion in private sector lending for agricultural SMEs in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia by 2030. To achieve this goal, Aceli offers financial incentives to increase the risk appetite of 40+ global and local financial institutions to make loans ranging from USD $15K-$1.75M to inclusive agricultural SMEs. Financial incentives (Portfolio First Loss Cover and Origination Incentives) have been designed based on an original dataset that Aceli gathered and analyzed in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors. Aceli also facilitates technical assistance to expand the ability of high-potential SMEs to qualify for and manage financing as well as capacity building for lenders to serve this market. Aceli’s vision is to catalyze a more competitive lending market for agri-SMEs and demonstrate a model that can be scaled across Africa.

Since launching in September 2020, Aceli has supported its financial institution partners in making 3,800+ loans to SMEs creating market linkages for 1.6 million smallholder farmers. Leading bilateral and philanthropic donors, including Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, IKEA Foundation, Norwegian Agency for Development, Swiss Development Corporation, and UK FCDO have committed $100 million to Aceli for 2020-29.

The role will report to the Manager, Uganda and coordinate extensively with Aceli team members in Kenya and the United States. The position will be contracted as a full-time consultancy by GDI, Inc., a nonprofit organization registered in the U.S.

• Coordinate in-country technical assistance and matchmaking program for Agri-SMEs to bridge the access to finance gap;
• Coordinate the execution of monitoring, evaluation and learning initiatives in the country, including impact surveys, field monitoring visits, documentation of impact stories, and C&E verification visits;
• Support the country team in managing relationships with different ,agri-finance ecosystem partners such as TA providers, learning partners, among others;
• Support in the coordination of in-country stakeholder engagement activities and events;
• Provide inputs and coordinate with the finance team to meet donors’ financial reporting requirements; and
• Take the initiative to identify and implement other key priorities in close coordination with the Country Manager for Uganda and Aceli colleagues in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia and the U.S.

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, Agricultural Economics, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience
• Demonstrate experience in agri-SME development and MEAL in Uganda.
• Good communication skills and the ability to present information, both in writing and verbally, in a structured and insightful manner
• Go-getter who takes initiative and can work independently and collaboratively with a multi-country team in a rapidly evolving environment;
• Good track record demonstrated by high integrity and ethical conduct; and
• Passion for applying financial and business acumen to have a positive impact on farmer livelihoods, food security, opportunities for women and youth, and climate resilience in Uganda

Aceli is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a one-page cover letter, expressing their interest and qualifications for the role, along with an updated CV by Friday, July 18th 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.