Job title: Business Origination Advisor
Company: SNV
Job description: Company DescriptionSNV is an international not-for-profit development organization established in 1965 in the Netherlands. We work in more than 22 countries in Africa and Asia. SNV specializes in supporting development actors’ resourcefulness by developing local capacities, improving performance and services, strengthening governance systems, creating access for excluded groups, and making markets work for low-income people.Our global team of advisors uses their specialized expertise in Agriculture, Energy, and Water to improve the health and livelihoods of millions of people, focusing on the poor and marginalized groups. Gender and climate change are cross-cutting issues underlying all our interventions. SNV works hand-in-hand with national and local government, civil society actors, cooperatives, and the private sector to ensure significant and lasting change.For more information on SNV, visit our website:The Dutch Fund for Climate and DevelopmentThe Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is a climate resilience fund supporting climate adaptation and mitigation projects that benefit vulnerable communities and landscapes. It is funded by the Dutch government and managed by a consortium of expert organizations: FMO (Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank), CFM (Climate Fund Managers), SNV, a global development partner, and WWF Netherlands. The DFCD provides access to finance for promising early-stage initiatives, helping them to develop and grow into scalable projects that are resilient to the effects of climate change.The DFCD’s Origination Facility (OF), managed by SNV and WWF, identifies investment opportunities supporting climate change adaptation, mitigation, and key sustainable development co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, poverty reduction, and gender equality. The OF supports further elaborating projects with private sector partners by providing TA for project design, feasibility assessments, piloting, and other activities that de-risk and enable the graduation of projects for commercial investment. Projects that have graduated from the Origination Facility will be handed over to FMO (for land-use projects) and CFM (for water projects) or other investors.The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) is a climate resilience fund that supports climate adaptation and mitigation projects benefiting vulnerable communities and ecosystems. Funded by the Dutch government, DFCD is implemented by a consortium of expert organizations: FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank), Climate Fund Managers (CFM), SNV (a global development partner), and WWF Netherlands. DFCD’s goal is to enable access to finance for promising early-stage initiatives, helping them grow into scalable, climate-resilient investments.DFCD operates through two complementary arms: * The Origination Facility (OF), managed by SNV and WWF, focuses on the early-stage development of climate-smart projects. It provides Technical Assistance (TA) and grant funding for project structuring, piloting, feasibility studies, and stakeholder engagement—de-risking these initiatives and preparing them for investment.
- The Investment Facilities, managed by FMO (for land-use projects) and CFM (for water-related projects), provide follow-on commercial finance for initiatives that graduate from the OF pipeline.
This structure ensures that DFCD grant support is closely tied to future financing potential and that early-stage technical work leads toward long-term investment.Position PurposeUnder DFCD Phase 2 (2024–2027), SNV has expended its operations to Nigeria. The Business Origination Advisor (BOA) will play a central role in sourcing and developing scalable high-impact private investment opportunities aligned with DFCD’s climate adaptation and biodiversity goals. The BOA will support strategic and operational efforts to identify investable SMEs or project sponsors, structure business cases, coordinate Grant and TA implementation, and monitor project progress—ensuring smooth transition toward commercial financing by DFCD partners or other investors.Job DescriptionThe DFCD has initiated the second phase of its implementation, referred to as DFCD 2.0, started in January 2024. Currently the DFCD has two active origination projects in Nigeria while also actively identifying some potential private sector partners to provide origination support to them resulting in a total of at least three business cases that are eligible for investments by 2027 latest.To that regard, we need to hire an Advisor to be responsible for Business Origination that will support the SNV DFCD Regional Business Investment Expert for West Africa in the identification and implementation of business origination projects Nigeria.The Advisor will report directly to the SNV DFCD Regional Business Investment Expert for West Africa. The Country Director will provide administrative guidance and quality control where needed. The Advisor will also work with other colleagues of the SNV DFCD team in West Africa.The role of the Business Origination Advisor (BOA) will encompass three areas with the following details: * Pipeline Development
- Exploring and assessing potential companies and business opportunities that align with DFCD within Nigeria.
- Initiating and maintaining effective communication with companies and conducting preliminary screenings to develop the pre-intake form.
- Establishing and sustaining communication with potential stakeholders to foster pipeline development,
- Participating in business and/or social events in the region representing DFCD to develop networks and pipeline potential.
- Pipeline Management
- Provide technical expertise in the field of financial analysis, business planning, and preferably one of the SNV sectors (Agri-food, water, energy)
- Develop intake proposals, technical assistance documents, and other pertinent materials for the DFCD OF investment committee.
- Lead from SNV the partnership with the DFCD Origination project Grantee, including consistent communication with sponsors to facilitate the achievement of milestones according to the established timeline and deal tracker, updating the deal tracker as necessary.
- Collect and maintain comprehensive documentation of milestones, including consultant reports, sponsor narratives, financial reports, and other relevant materials.
- Coordinate with both the sponsor and the finance team at SNV to manage the reimbursement process for milestones effectively.
- Coordinate with DFCD global/West Africa team in achieving milestones, project management, Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI), and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) directly or through Monday.com.
- Other Tasks
- Coordinate with SNV personnel pertaining to project activities, financial matters, and other aspects of project administration.
- Develop project reports, along with other relevant documentation.
- Support other DFCD activities in West Africa and Global (Communication and Knowledge learning.
Qualifications
- A minimum of master’s degree is required, preferably in investment or business administration in the areas of Finance and Economics.
- Demonstrated knowledge/work experience in one of the three SNV sectors (Agri food, Water, Energy) in relation to Climate Change.
- A minimum of 4 years of demonstrated experience in the financial sector is essential, with a focus on sustainable finance being highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge and experience in loan origination, financing, and investment management are necessary.
- Proven connections with business communities, financial institutions, government agencies, and financial authorities are required.
Required Skills would include and not limited to:
- Strong analytical skills, including financial modelling, are crucial for evaluating potential investments and assessing risk.
- Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills are also essential.
- Excellent writing and communication skills in English are essential.
- Ability to work independently and deliver in a results-driven environment
- The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with business communities, financial institutions, and public sector partners is essential.
Additional InformationApplication and Selection ProcessApplication Guidelines: Please read these carefully. Failure to comply will adversely affect your application.
- This is a national employment.
- Initial contract will be for one year and it is renewable, possible until December 2027. Salary is competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.
- SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.
If you believe that your credentials meet the above profile, we invite you to apply by submitting through upload applications in English in the form of a one-page letter and current CV outlining experience, qualifications and three reference contacts, not later than 5:00pm, August 26th, 2025.
- Expected Start Date: October 1st, 2025.
- This position is open to both internal and external applicants.
- Only those applicants whose work experience and education meet the mandatory requisites above, would be considered for the position.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Expected salary:
Location: Abuja, FCT
Job date: Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:18:48 GMT