FINANCIAL INCLUSION SPECIALIST

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 in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing thirty-six months, ‘Resilience and incomes for smallholders in Ethiopia through digital financial services’ project (RAISE-DFS), funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). RAISE-DFS will catalyze a transformation in Sharia-compliant and digital financial services in the lowlands of Ethiopia. In doing so, RAISE-DFS will achieve the project overall objective to improve the lives of 181,000 people (28,750 households) in Somali and Afar Regions and in East/West Harerge Zones of Oromia Region, through increased incomes and enhanced resilience to drought and other shocks.

Position Description

Location: Semera, Afar

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: (Refer to Country Salary Guidelines)

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

Safeguarding Risk Level: 3

General Position Summary

The Financial Inclusion Specialist will support implementation of high-quality financial inclusion through capacity-building for teams, conducting market assessments and 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. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

Coordination and Collaboration

• Enhance strategic partnership with stakeholders and partners to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful program and program delivery.
• Collaborate with clients, partners, and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results.

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.
• Provide technical support (20%) to integrate DFS & financial inclusion into the RiPA program.
• Conduct high quality market system assessments in financial services, providing the foundation for program design.
• Design interventions Concept notes for MSD programs, using tools such as Results Chains and ‘Who Does, Who Pays?’ matrices.
• Lead the establishment, expansion, and digitization of Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) under RIPA project.
• Ensure gender integration and mainstreaming are incorporated into financial inclusions interventions.
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution.
• Responsible for the 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 high-quality reports for financial inclusion programming to the Program Manager and other relevant Mercy Corps Ethiopia team members.
• Closely work with wide range of financial service providers (MFIs, Banks, VSLA groups) in establishing partnership and managing relationship on regular basis

Teamwork

• Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
• Work closely with team members and partners, to support capacity-building and gender integration into the programs.
• Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations.
• Very strong leadership capacities to guide a multi-cultural team in difficult circumstances.
• Support the identification of program issues, challenges and risks, appropriate recommendations and implements them.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: RAISE-DFS Program Manager

Technical Line Report To: RIPA C2 Team Lead

Works Directly With: RAISE-DFS and RIPA

1. Program Manager (RAISE-DFS)
2. Team Lead (RIPA, C2)

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 5 years' 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 organization is an advantage.
• Familiar with all aspects of the relevant market systems including key actors, micro-financial institutions (MFIs), banks,
• Understanding of Markets Systems Development (MSD) approach.
• Familiarity with Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) methodology and practices is advantageous.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.
• Fluency in local and English language is required.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and 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 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. A willingness to relocate for short-term as necessary within coverage regions, based on programmatic needs, work independently and as part of a team are essential Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

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.

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 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 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 Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

How to Apply

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. Financial Inclusion Advisor - Semera ((APPLY))

“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 empower women and youth.”

                    DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: August 08, 2024/ 5:00 PM