Fellow, Product at Aceli Africa
Company Description
Aceli Africa is a market catalyst that aims to mobilize $2
billion in private-sector lending for agricultural SMEs and improve livelihoods
for 5 million farmers and workers by 2030. To achieve this goal, Aceli provides
financial incentives to increase the risk appetite of 50 financial institutions
to make loans ranging from USD $10K-$1.5M for high-impact agricultural SMEs.
Complementary technical assistance builds capacity for lenders and SMEs while
data and learning drive engagement with partners to strengthen the policy and
regulatory environment.
Since launching in 2020, Aceli has mobilised $400M in
lending to SMEs, providing market access for 2M smallholder farmers across
Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. To date, Aceli Africa has secured
US$115M+ in funding from leading bilateral and philanthropic donors, including
the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gates Foundation, Global Affairs Canada,
IKEA Foundation, Norad, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and UK
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Aceli is completing an initial five-year phase (2020-25) and
positioning for ambitious growth and influence in Phase Two (2026-30). With a
donor-funded model and complex multi-country operations, Aceli Africa manages
several mechanisms to achieve this objective, including performance-based
incentive payments and innovative capital mobilisation strategies.
Job Description
The Product team manages Aceli’s incentive program—our core
offering. As a Fellow, you’ll work at the heart of this function, reviewing
loan submissions from our lending partners to assess their eligibility for
incentive payments.
This is a high-impact, hands-on opportunity for early-career
professionals who are analytical, detail-oriented, and eager to learn. You’ll
gain:
- Experience
reviewing real-world credit and ESG documentation.
- Exposure
to agricultural lending practices across East Africa.
- Direct
involvement in scaling finance to underserved markets.
Key Responsibilities
As a key member of the Product team, you will play a vital
role in ensuring the integrity and success of our loan program.
- Evaluate
and Approve Loans: You will be responsible for reviewing and
assessing loan data submitted by our lending partners. By applying our
established guidelines, you will make recommendations on which loans to
approve or reject, directly impacting our ability to support deserving
agricultural businesses.
- Provide
Actionable Feedback: When a loan application requires additional
information, compile clear and concise feedback for the lender. Your
communication will be crucial in guiding our partners through the process,
ensuring we can resolve issues efficiently and move applications forward.
- Inform
and Advise: You won’t just be reviewing loans—you’ll be observing
trends. By tracking and sharing your insights with senior team members and
other internal stakeholders, you will help inform strategic decisions and
improve our incentive programs.
- Collaborate
and Solve Problems: You will serve as a resource for internal
teams, helping to address any questions or issues raised by our lending
partners. You will also provide support on special projects, contributing
to the broader goals of Aceli.
Qualifications
- Education: A
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
- Experience: 0-2
years of professional experience.
- Analytical
Skills: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to
quickly review complex documents.
- Communication: Excellent
verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Agility: A
quick learner who can manage their time effectively and handle a high
volume of work, reviewing up to 10 loans per day.
- Teamwork: A
strong collaborator who can work well with peers and other Aceli team
members.
- Bonus: A
passion for or interest in the agricultural sector is a huge plus.
Additional Information
You will receive a 12-month contract, fixed monthly stipend,
a medical cover, an Aceli-owned laptop, and a supportive environment designed
to help you grow.
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 March 26, 2026. Please note
that applications without a Cover Letter will not be considered.