Lead Economist at Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii)

Location: Remote/Worldwide

Organization: Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii) 

Job Description

Start Date: Immediately.

Duration: 12 months, with possibility for extension.

Type of Contract: Full-time position.

Compensation: Competitive, dependent on experience.

Location: Remote/Worldwide. Preferred locations: Nigeria, Indonesia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, India, Philippines, Thailand, UK, but we welcome applications from all geographic regions.

ABOUT FINANCIAL INNOVATION FOR IMPACT

Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii) is an international, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of scalable, sustainable, and evidence-based financial and regulatory innovation. We work with academic institutions, digital finance ecosystem partners, and other stakeholders to create knowledge and apply data-driven insights to inform the development of fintech and the decision-making of central banks, securities regulators, and other financial authorities.

Fii generates research, develops digital tools, and delivers capacity building at scale through technical assistance programmes to benefit financially excluded, marginalised, and disadvantaged populations.

 

THE ROLE

We are seeking an accomplished economist to lead empirical research on the economic and societal returns of digital identity and e-KYC across emerging markets. This is a unique opportunity to generate first-of-its-kind evidence on the costs, benefits, and macroeconomic implications of e-KYC adoption, contributing to research that will directly inform regulatory decision-making and policy development globally.

The Lead Economist will design and execute comprehensive analyses across multiple countries, working closely with central banks, financial regulators, fintechs, banks, and digital identity providers to gather proprietary data and quantify impact. The role combines advanced quantitative analysis with qualitative research methods, producing insights that bridge academic rigour with practical policy relevance.

The role holder will work collaboratively with the academic community at Cambridge and international development partners.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and deliver the research and analyses of e-KYC implementation and impact evaluation across selected countries.
• Develop economic models and frameworks to quantify efficiency gains, cost structures, market impacts, and inclusion outcomes of e-KYC versus traditional KYC.
• Conduct primary data collection through expert interviews (15+ per country) with regulators, fintechs, banks, telcos, and digital identity service providers.
• Design questionnaires to capture data on KYC/e-KYC cost structures, pricing, and operational metrics.
• Analyse macroeconomic implications of e-KYC adoption, including network effects, competition dynamics, and ecosystem development.
• Produce gender-disaggregated analysis examining differential impacts on onboarding, adoption, access and inclusion.
• Define key economic indicators and mechanisms for ongoing impact tracking and measurement.
• Synthesise findings into high-quality research outputs including empirical studies, policy briefs, and practical guidance for regulators.
• Collaborate with research partners on methodology design and analysis

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The individual in this role must have strong quantitative research capabilities, demonstrated expertise in applied economics, and experience working with or within the financial services sector.

Essential

The ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills, and attributes.

• 7+ years of experience in applied economic research, policy analysis, or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in cost-benefit analysis, impact evaluation, and economic modelling.
• Understanding of digital identity systems, KYC/AML frameworks, and financial inclusion challenges.
• Experience conducting primary research including stakeholder interviews and survey design.
• Familiarity with financial services, digital finance, or regulatory economics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate complex economic analysis for policy audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders including regulators, industry, research and development partners.

Desirable

• PhD in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality research publications or policy outputs.
• Direct experience with e-KYC, digital identity verification, or identity economics.
• Experience working in or with regulatory authorities, central banks, or international development organisations.
• Knowledge of financial inclusion dynamics in Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia.
• Familiarity with gender analysis in economic research.

Note: This role will require a degree of international travel.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A job and a team with a purpose. This is a chance to work on important challenges in the financial sector that greatly affect our economies and society, and to have a real impact using data and research to accelerate digital identity adoption and financial inclusion.
• Opportunity to innovate and to break new ground in this field.
• Exposure to leading thinkers, researchers, and solution creators in the financial and technology space and academia.
• Opportunities to frame evidence-based discussions in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Opportunities to work and collaborate with exceptional teammates, experts, and partners globally.
• Competitive compensation.
• Private healthcare.
• Flexible work schedule.

INCLUSION

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments to support your application or participation in the selection process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply through: >>https://fii.careers-page.com/jobs/5c47081e-0a79-45fd-a48c-d07731a5eb37/apply by 7 September. We may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.