Financial Inclusion Officer

Job Summary

In close collaboration with the Program Coordinator, the position holder will have a broad range of tasks and responsibilities related to programme design, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships creation, and support of field operations. S/he will be responsible for supporting field operations with the screening and implementation of financial inclusion projects and partnerships; building the capacity of beneficiaries in financial management and identifying new areas to promote access to finance for the participants we support in these communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify new areas to support the planning and successful implementation of our livelihood projects through sustainable partnerships with relevant financial institutions, and development financial institutions.
• Document the impact of any project in financial inclusion, ensure acknowledgement for its relevance, and dissemination of its findings.
• Design and deliver capacity strengthening programs for project participants and field staff involved in financial inclusion operations, particularly in relation to the identification of suitable financial institutions to partner with, data-collection and performance/outcomes monitoring.
• Support FINDEF’s field operations to raise awareness about access to finance for participants within the communities we support and to establish partnerships with qualified financial service providers.
• Provide technical guidance to FINDEF’s programme team engaged in partnerships with financial service providers.
• Identify and build solid partnerships within the financial sector, research institutes, competent technical agencies and others that can bring knowledge, know-how and networks in support of creating financial inclusion opportunities for participants and other host community members.
• Support the monitoring, reporting on measurement of results/impact of financial inclusion projects implemented by FINDEF.
• Support the identification and assessment of technical / financial assistance needs of participants.
• Raise awareness about the needs of vulnerable people in access to finance and on the work done by FINDEF in this area by writing/editing impact stories from our work.
• Proactively seek new opportunities for effective shared value partnership building and resource mobilization amongst highly qualified financial institutions, as well as development actors and donors.
• Support in reviewing project proposals coming from field offices to promote access to finance for our project participants.
• Research and write/edit knowledge products pertaining to financial inclusion/resilience of vulnerable people for publication.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelors’ degree in a relevant field (Business Management, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Community Development or its equivalent).
• 4 - 6 years of field experience in leading and managing economic recovery/livelihoods programming in an NGO or other relevant agency. Experience implementing Financial Inclusion interventions and models (VSLA/GS&L, Financial Education, savings groups-bank linkage) is an added advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential; Hausa preferred
• Technical experience in financial inclusion programming, including working with VSLAs, developing the capacity of small, medium and micro-enterprises, working with micro-loans and formal financial institutions, providing financial inclusion training.
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple locations, sector project budget.
• Experience working in remote communities, providing displacement responses and in multi-sectoral interventions.
• Experience in the digitization of savings groups project, enterprises, or social associations is an added advantage.
• Strong planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding working environment.
• Good analytical and strategic planning skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Good level of communication and interpersonal skills.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. Our organization procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We are an equal opportunity employer. We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

Note:

• FINDEF does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. FINDEF's recruitment process is transparent, and merit based. Lobbying of any form is not allowed and can lead to disqualification.
• FINDEF has zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, at all times (both during work hours and outside work hours).
• Familiarization with, and adherence to FINDEF’s Code of Conduct is an essential requirement for all staff, in addition to related mandatory training.
• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
• This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various project locations.