Climate Change Adaptation Banking Coordinator at Equity Bank Kenya

THE ROLE PURPOSE:

To lead the design, rollout and performance management of ARCAFIM’s climate change adaptation (CCA) lending component across participating Equity Bank Group subsidiaries. The role drives the development and delivery of suitable green lending products, direct and wholesale financing channels, and technical assistance initiatives that expand access to climate-resilient finance for small-scale rural producers and linked value-chain actors, particularly women and youth. It ensures implementation complies with the ARCAFIM Operations Manual and approved green-lending taxonomy, while generating reliable performance evidence to support adaptive management and donor accountability.

the KEY responsibilities:

Green Lending Strategy & Implementation

• Lead the rollout of the ARCAFIM green-lending component across the four participating subsidiaries, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and the approved Operations Manual.
• Develop country implementation plans with clear milestones, performance targets and accountability frameworks.
• Monitor implementation progress and drive timely resolution of delivery gaps and risks.
• Drive achievement of approved green-lending disbursement and portfolio growth targets.

Product Development & Inclusive Market Reach

• Lead the development and refinement of green-lending products tailored to small-scale rural producers and value-chain actors.
• Develop customer-targeting strategies that expand access to climate-adaptation finance for women, youth and underserved rural communities.
• Monitor product uptake, lending volumes and customer outreach against approved targets.
• Identify market opportunities and recommend product enhancements to improve accessibility, relevance and portfolio performance.

 Direct & Wholesale Lending Channels

• Drive the delivery of direct green lending to eligible producers and value-chain actors across the participating countries.
• Identify, assess and engage suitable wholesale lending partners to expand financing through local financial institutions.
• Monitor the performance of direct and wholesale lending channels against approved disbursement and outreach targets.
• Strengthen partnerships and address operational barriers affecting the reach and effectiveness of green-lending channels.

 Technical Assistance & Institutional Capability

• Coordinate ARCAFIM-funded technical assistance for Equity Bank and participating financial institutions based on identified capability gaps and programme priorities.
• Align capacity-building interventions with the effective delivery of climate-adaptation finance and approved green-lending products.
• Monitor the delivery, quality and impact of technical assistance against agreed plans and performance indicators.
• Track the implementation of technical assistance recommendations and assess improvements in staff competency and institutional capacity.

 Green Lending Standards & Compliance

• Ensure ARCAFIM-supported loans comply with the approved green-lending taxonomy, borrower eligibility criteria and programme requirements.
• Monitor adherence to applicable lending standards, documentation requirements and environmental criteria.
• Identify and escalate compliance risks, ineligible financing and implementation gaps.
• Coordinate corrective actions and monitor their timely closure to maintain programme compliance.

 Performance Monitoring & Adaptive Management

• Work with the ARCAFIM Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator and country teams to track loan disbursements, customer outreach, portfolio quality and inclusion outcomes.
• Analyse performance against approved targets and identify emerging trends, implementation gaps and risks.
• Recommend and coordinate corrective actions to improve lending performance and programme outcomes.
• Ensure timely and accurate provision of green-lending data for programme dashboards, reviews and decision-making.

Programme Reporting & Donor Accountability

• Lead the preparation and submission of accurate, complete and timely physical and financial progress reports for Component 1.
• Ensure reports comply with the ARCAFIM Operations Manual and Equity Bank, IFAD and co-financier reporting requirements.
• Validate reported lending, outreach, inclusion and expenditure data with relevant country teams and programme stakeholders.
• Coordinate responses to management and donor information requests and follow up on reporting-related review and audit findings.

Cross-Country Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate green-lending implementation across the four participating subsidiaries to promote consistent standards and achievement of programme targets.
• Work closely with the ARCAFIM Programme Coordinator, country teams and relevant Group functions to resolve implementation challenges.
• Facilitate cross-country knowledge sharing and the adoption of effective green-lending practices.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen programme delivery and expand access to climate-adaptation finance.

 Qualifications
KEY TECHNICAL SKILLS & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Climate change adaptation and green agricultural finance
• Agricultural lending and rural value-chain finance
• Green-lending product design and taxonomy application
• Direct and wholesale lending models
• Programme delivery, monitoring and reporting
• Financial analysis and portfolio performance management
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership development
• Cross-country coordination and collaboration
• Strategic thinking and evidence-based problem-solving
• Inclusive finance with a focus on women and youth

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• At least 10 years’ experience in commercial agricultural lending in East Africa, ideally with a focus on green or climate-resilient financing.
• Strong understanding of green finance and its role in advancing rural development and climate change adaptation in the East African context.
• Extensive knowledge of climate-related challenges affecting rural producers and the role of rural finance in building resilience and supporting adaptation.
• Demonstrated experience in lending product development, portfolio growth, financial institution partnerships or programme implementation would be an advantage.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Must- Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Marketing or a related discipline; a relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Master’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Marketing or a related discipline; a relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage
•  Nice to Have: (as added advantage)
•  Relevant professional certifications in Project Management, Climate Change & Adaptation, Monitoring & Evaluation etc. are desirable.