FINANCIAL INCLUSION SPECIALIST– HIGHLAND RESILIENCE ACTIVITY: HAWASSA, SIDAMA REGION

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

 

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus on promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improving natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

 

Program / Department Summary

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) will contribute to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that started in October 2023.

General Position Summary

The Financial Inclusion Specialist will support the implementation of high-quality financial inclusion through capacity-building for teams, conducting market assessments designing interventions, and building relationships with key market actors from the private sector and government. The Specialist will also be involved in designing Intervention Concept notes (ICN) that have financial inclusion and helping to ensure robust M&E, working with our MEL team. S/he will also play a role in representing Mercy Corps’ financial inclusion work externally, through building relationships with key partners and participating in relevant coordination and learning events.

Position Description

Location: Hawassa

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level:  -

Current Team Member: List the name of the Staff members currently in this position

Safeguarding Risk Level: Medium

 

Essential Job Responsibilities

 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Support the development of work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools, and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient program implementation and operations.
• Support market system assessments in financial services, providing the foundation for program design.
• Design activity and interventions concept notes for MSD programs.
• Facilitate the linkage of Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and link them with formal financial service providers.
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution.
• Responsible for full compliance with Mercy Corps rules and regulations and policies on financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Actively support knowledge building, sharing, and applying in the program.
• Submission of regular reports on financial inclusion programming.
• Closely work with wide range of financial service providers (MFIs, Banks, VSLA groups) in establishing partnerships and managing relationships on a regular basis.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Ensure gender integration and mainstreaming are incorporated into financial inclusion interventions.

 

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Regional Program Coordinator

Technical Line Report To: Financial Service Team Lead

Works Directly With: MEL team, Finance team, Operations team, private sector partners, and government stakeholders

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• A degree in Business, Economics, Development Studies, Program Management, or related Social Science fields.
• At least 4 years of work experience in program management and coordination, preferably in financial inclusion, digital financial services (DFS), product & strategy development, Islamic finance, financial literacy programs, and community awareness campaigns.
• Previous work experience in the financial sector and international development organizations is an advantage.
• Familiar with all aspects of the relevant market systems, including key actors, micro-financial institutions (MFIs), and banks,
• Understanding of the Markets Systems Development (MSD) approach.
• Familiarity with Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) methodology and practices is advantageous.
• Understanding of the PSNP program and the interplay between key agricultural market actors like financial service providers (MFI, Banks, and insurers), input suppliers, producers, and traders.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving. S/he will undertake innovative and creative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new program ideas, and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning - including openness to test new ways to work with private sector actors in the PSNP context.  S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, work within a complex security and political situation and to follow strict security protocols.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically. 

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity, and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empowering women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:  8 November 2024/ 4:00 PM