POSITION VACANT: Senior Technical Advisor- Healthcare SME Financing, STA

LOCATION:  This position is based in New Delhi or Mumbai, India.

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Fixed-term contract till the end of the project, currently September 30, 2026. Performance assessment will coincide with the USAID workplan cycle, i.e. October to September

REPORTS TO: Chief of Party, FHM Engage

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

ACCESS Health International (AHI) is a non-profit, think tank and advisory group with the mission of improving access to high-quality and affordable healthcare for all people. AHI advises national and regional governments and the private sector on the design and management of healthcare finance and delivery systems. Established in 2007, the organization is located in India, Singapore, Dubai and is headquartered in the USA.

AHI’s vision is that all people, no matter where they live, and no matter what their age, have a right to access high-quality and affordable healthcare and to lead healthy and productive lives.

JOB SUMMARY

Access Health International seeks a Senior Technical Advisor for Healthcare SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) Financing for the ongoing USAID Frontier Health Markets Engage project in India. Building on over 30 years of USAID investment, FHM Engage focuses on strengthening local health markets by addressing the root causes of market failures in the core market functions to create the necessary behavior change that catalyzes supply and demand and supports sustainable change.

In India, FHM Engage is working to improve gender equality and women’s economic empowerment by catalyzing market-based partnerships to improve access to women’s healthcare interventions which can enable young girls and women to continue their career aspirations. The FHM Engage in India project update can be found here: https://healthmarketlinks.org/index.php/highlights/introducing-womens-health-and-livelihood-alliance-wohla

Expected Outcomes:

• Establishment and maintenance of strong relationships with key stakeholders, including financial institutions, investors, government agencies, and industry associations for increased access to capital for women’s healthcare SMEs
• Successful facilitation of access to diverse funding sources, including loans, grants, and investments, resulting in a higher rate of financing approvals for women’s healthcare SMEs.
• Development and implementation of innovative financing products and solutions tailored to the specific needs of women’s healthcare SMEs.

The SME Healthcare Financing Expert will provide specialized expertise and support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the women’s healthcare sector. Under FHM Engage, the team is supporting chemists, distributors, manufacturers and marketing agencies, clinics and hospitals to access operating capital or manufacturing loans to increase the pool of resources available for contraceptive products. More at – Reproductive Health: Improving contraceptive access in India demands a recognition of supply-side challenges, ET Health World (indiatimes.com)

This role involves developing financing solutions, advising on financial planning and strategy, and facilitating access to various funding sources. The ideal candidate will possess in-depth knowledge of the women’s healthcare industry, financial acumen, and experience with SME financing.  We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial Advisory and Planning:
   • Provide financial advice to women’s healthcare SMEs such as chemists, clinics and nursing homes, commodity distributors, helping them understand and manage their financial needs.
   • Develop tailored financial strategies to improve the financial health and sustainability of healthcare SMEs.
2. Financing Solutions Development:
   • Identify and develop innovative financing solutions tailored to the needs of women’s healthcare SMEs.
   • Work with financial institutions such as commercial banks, micro-finance institutions, and NBFC (non-banking financial companies) to design and promote financing products suited for the women’s healthcare sector.
   • Evaluate and recommend appropriate financing options, including loans, grants, and investment opportunities.
3. Access to Funding:
   • Facilitate access to various funding sources, including public and private sector financing, grants, and venture capital.
   • Assist healthcare SMEs in preparing and presenting funding proposals to potential investors and financial institutions.
   • Guide SMEs through the application process for loans and other financial products.
4. Market Research and Analysis:
   • Conduct market research to stay updated on trends, opportunities, and challenges in healthcare financing.
   • Analyze financial data and market conditions to provide insights and recommendations to SMEs.
5. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including financial institutions, investors, government agencies, and industry associations.
   • Represent the organization at industry conferences, seminars, and networking events.
6. Training and Capacity Building:
   • Develop and deliver training programs to enhance the financial literacy and capabilities of healthcare SMEs.
   • Provide mentorship and support to healthcare entrepreneurs and business leaders.
7. Compliance and Risk Management:
   • Ensure that all financing activities comply with relevant regulations and standards.
   • Identify and mitigate financial risks associated with healthcare SME financing.
8. Project Management
   • Draft the SoW and activity description for local partner organizations in India and work with the PMU and HQ Partnerships Team to create teaming and partnering arrangements.
   • Coordinate with the Senior Technical Leads on Market Dynamics, Stewardship& Partnerships, and with relevant staff supporting youth engagement and partnership, to ensure continued engagement of civil society and youth focal point networks in the region.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Academic Specialization: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree or professional qualification (e.g., MBA, CA, CFA, CPA) is preferred
• Experience: At least 5-7 years of experience in financial services, with a focus on SME financing. Proven experience in the healthcare sector is highly desirable.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated track record of developing and managing financial products and solutions for SMEs.
• Cross-functional exposure to any of the following is preferable, Supply chain operations excellence, Sourcing & Procurement Management, Supply Chain & Network Operations, Supply Chain Analytics, Logistics & Fulfilment, Manufacturing Excellence
• Have knowledge of credit procedures that are prevailing in the banking sector;
• Have knowledge of various insurance products and services;
• Have knowledge of pharmaceutical and healthcare industry financing
• Ability to think strategically, and leverage market information to generate market intelligence which will guide financial aspects of investment transactions, including how to conduct market analysis and determine financial soundness of a company or project opportunity and ability to conduct market and industry research and analysis.
• Good understanding of financial statements analysis, accounting, finance, building a financial model from scratch, discounted cash flow valuation method, and comparable company analysis to support informed decision-making. Proficiency in financial modeling and use of financial software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Project management expertise with an ability to move projects forward from inception to implementation to completion. Ability to break down tasks into short-term goals as in consulting experience in a coordination and operations management role
• Excellent writing, editing, communications, and research capabilities, with advanced knowledge of and proficiency in the MS Office Suite (OneNote, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience developing USAID workplans and budgets will be desirable
• Communicates clearly and concisely in both verbal and written communications; strong cross-culture communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, requiring a high degree of communication and ability to meet deadlines.
• May require working hours outside of India business hours in order to communicate and collaborate with partners in the USA

HOW TO APPLY:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to share their CV and cover letter with the job title mentioned in the subject line to [email protected]