Regional Coordinator for Financial Inclusion Strategy Implementation

Job Summary

Background

Financial Services Deepening (FSD) Ethiopia: Established in 2021, FSD Ethiopia is a development agency that aims to support the development of accessible, inclusive, and sustainable financial markets for economic growth. FSD Ethiopia’s role is to identify the constraints of the financial system, facilitate market actors to address these constraints, and help build a functional and effective financial sector that generates economic gains for Ethiopians from all walks of life.

For more information on FSD Ethiopia, please visit the website: https://fsdethiopia.org/about-us-2/

Project Description

The National Financial Inclusion Strategy II (NFIS-II) (2021-2025) builds on the success of the first strategy (2017-2020). It has 11 programs, 53 actions, and around 200 activities. The refreshed NFIS aims to increase access to and usage of basic financial services at scale, as well as deepening financial inclusion through multiple products and services.

In an effort to support the successful implementation of the NFIS, FSD Ethiopia is establishing an independent project management office (PMO) embedded within the National Bank under the Financial Inclusion Secretariat. The PMO will mainly focus on implementing the defined activities and initiatives to support the implementation of NFISII in collaboration with the financial inclusion secretariat.

To support the PMO on regional execution of the initiatives under the program, FSD Ethiopia is looking to hire a Regional Financial Inclusion Coordinator who will be tasked with facilitating the successful implementation of the NFIS at a regional level by working very closely with the PMO, the Financial Inclusion Secretariat (FIS) of the NBE, the Regional Financial Inclusion Task Force (RFITF), and the Regional Council for Financial Inclusion (RCFI).

Scope of Work

FSD Ethiopia seeks an experienced Regional Financial Inclusion Coordinator to support NFIS implementation at the regional level.

Key tasks include:

• Provide project management support to the Regional Financial Inclusion Task Force
• Closely collaborate with the Regional Council for Financial Inclusion to secure policy support
• Support identifying strategy enablers, barriers and solutions
• Provide technical support on developing implementation parameters
• Establish a regional financial inclusion database
• Serve as a regional financial inclusion knowledge expert
• Integrate gender across program implementation
• Provide progress reports to the FIS and PMO
• Document lessons learned

The coordinator will lead regional NFIS framework implementation by expanding access to and usage of digital financial services. They will ensure effective programming, coordination among stakeholders, and provide contextual understanding for the team.

Institutional Arrangement

The regional coordinator will be hired by FSD Ethiopia and will be based in the regional implementation unit housed at the respective regions president office. The coordinator will be supervised by the PMO housed under the FIS of the NBE in close consultation with the FIS.

• Duty Station: Afar, Amhara, Benshangul, Gambella, Sidama, Somali, South west Ethiopia
• Person Needed:1(One) regional coordinator per region
• Job Grade:5
• Employment type;Full time
• Reports to:Project Management Office – Project Manager
• Employment Period:One year (1-year) with a possibility of extension

Job Requirement

Qualifications Required

I-Academic Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, or a related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Additional training related to digital financial services & project management is highly desirable.

II   Years of Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of dedicated experience in financial inclusion, digital finance, financial education, digital payments, or related fields.
• Wide and practical experience in formulating and implementing national financial inclusion strategies charted with DFS, gender inclusion, micro insurance, micro-credit, micro saving, sharia-compliant financial inclusion, financial education, etc.
• Practical experience in coordinating and bringing together public and private sector stakeholders and development partners towards implementation and achievement of national financial inclusion initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of current developments including innovative financial services issues (e.g. mobile financial services, agent networks, QR Codes, digital currency, sandboxes, insurtech, regtech, suptech etc.) is critical.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s financial services landscape, including ongoing sector reforms and the wider regulatory environment.
• Experience working with central banks, government ministries, and private sector players preferably in emerging markets. Experience working in projects involving regional bureaus and agencies.
• Experience implementing programs/projects related to financial inclusion, with a focus on expanding access and usage of financial services for underserved populations, including women.
• Understanding of specific challenges and needs of women in the financial sector in the region.
• Proper understanding of the respective region’s working culture and bureaucracy.

Desirable

• Experience working in a multicultural environment
• Knowledge of donor policies and procedures
• Previous experience working on FCDO- and BMGF-funded projects
• Languages: languages in additional to the working language of the region.
• Ability to multitask
• A good understanding of the financial sector in Ethiopia

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Writes and edits clear, concise, and error-free documents that meet the highest standards of international communication.
• Encourages open, honest, and respectful communication with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
• Stays composed and focused in stressful situations, and maintains a positive attitude even when things are tough.
• Makes decisions that are fair, just, and transparent, and that are based on sound reasoning and evidence.
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability:
• Is passionate about the company’s mission and values, and is willing to go the extra mile to help the company succeed.

Functional Competencies:

Professional

• Project management lifecycle
• Ensures the full implementation of a project to obtain results
• Conceptualizes more effective approaches to programme development and implementation and to mobilizing and using resources
• Anticipates constraints in the delivery of services and identifies solutions or alternatives
• Creates networks and promotes initiatives with partner organizations
•  Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking

Technical:

• Solid skills in strategy development, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement and management.
• Understanding of key issues and international good practice relating to financial inclusion and digital financial service
•  Excellent presentation and representation skills in multicultural contexts
• Ability to translate complex technical ideas to a non-technical audience in both verbally and in writing.

Languages:

• Written and spoken fluency in English
• Written and spoken fluency in the working language of the region.
• Written and spoken skill in other languages of the region is desirable.

How to Apply

Application Process

Interested individuals must first read the detailed job description on

our website at https://fsdethiopia.org/work-with-us-2/. Applicants must submit their application with a cover letter and detailed description of their experience to jobs@fsdethiopia.org by August 10, 2024 with the subject line “[The region you are applying for]_Regional Coordinator for Financial Inclusion Strategy Implementation “.

Direct any other questions about the roles, application process, or FSD Ethiopia to the email address jobs@fsdethiopia.org for assistance.

Note: FSD Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.