FINANCIAL INCLUSION ADVISOR, HIGHLANDS RESILIENCE ACTIVITY – CARE International

CARE seeks a Financial Inclusion Advisor for the anticipated USAID-funded Feed the Future Highlands Resilience Activity. This procurement is expected to be a five-year cooperative agreement in the $50M+ range. The Highlands Resilience Activity will support the graduation of Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) clients by linking them with new on-farm, off-farm, and employment opportunities. The Activity will have a strong focus on improving access to finance for vulnerable highlands households and will be integrated into USAID’s Resilience Food Security Activities (RFSAs) in five regions of Ethiopia.

This procurement is expected to be released in November 2021 and awarded in May 2022. This is anticipated to be Key Personnel position and as such the candidate proposed for this position is subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. This position will be based in Addis Ababa.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the lead Financial Inclusion advisor for the project.
• Work alongside colleagues as a financial inclusion specialist to develop effective strategies for advancing program participants’ access to both informal and formal financial services, including women, youth, and other target groups.
• Develop technical resources including guides, case studies and other learning tools to strengthen capacity in financial inclusion.
• Provide technical support and strengthen capacities of program teams and partners (public, private, non-profit) to ensure project activities are effectively delivered and continually improved.
• As a Subject Matter Expert on issues pertaining to financial inclusion, ensure that global best practice and innovation are shared and integrated into the project as appropriate.
• Ensure strong linkages and integration with other program components and activities.

Qualifications:

• Master of Arts in development or related subject, or Master of Business Administration, or equivalent expertise.
• Deep awareness of and proven track record in applying market facilitation concepts, practices, and principles
• In-depth understanding of key concepts in financial inclusion, experience applying these to market systems development and livelihoods programs.
• Deep, practical understanding of villages savings and loan associations or similar savings group modalities and linking groups and their members to other financial service providers
• Ability to build relationships with private sector actors and quickly establish credibility and relevance
• Ability to build relationships with and navigate government agencies to identify and work effectively with key decisions makers.
• Knowledge of financial services ecosystem as well as the Productive Safety Net Program in Ethiopia is an advantage. Established industry connections and an ability to quickly access senior decision makers at financial service providers in the country is an advantage.
• Ability to support and advise and coach non-specialist colleagues, communicate complex ideas clearly, and facilitate learning and reflection activities.
• Ability to summarize and synthesize learning into straightforward English for a wide range of audiences.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and networking skills.
• Strong project management and budgeting skills.
• Understanding of principles of participation, gender equity, women’s empowerment, and youth engagement.
• Understanding of quality monitoring and evaluation and basic understanding of statistics.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and PSEAH (safeguarding) as evidenced in previous management positions and programming.
• Experience applying development approaches that promote gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and youth engagement.
• Excellent, high-level, demonstrated written and oral communications skills in English is required.
• Ability to travel to program areas as may be required and as the security situation allows.