UNDP Digital Finance Services Specialist Jobs in Ethiopia
Background
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Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Duties and Responsibilities
UNCDF has been operating in Ethiopia since 1982 through its different programs focused on expanding access to financial inclusion. As part of UNCDF’s Inclusive Digital Economies Programme (IDE), UNCDF is implementing the Digital Financial Service for Resilience programme in Ethiopia with two broader objectives: 1) To improve digital finance policies and regulations to provide early response to emergencies and create an enabling environment to economic recovery; 2) To create and strengthen digital finance ecosystems that support low income individuals in particular women and youth; and MSMEs to mitigate immediate shocks of emergencies and seize economic opportunities.
In Ethiopia, UNCDF has partnered with government and private sector players in the country to implement the programme. UNCDF is in the process of implementing digital financial literacy project to enhance digital skills and financial literacy in the country to increase adoption of digital financial services.
The DFS Specialist will support achieving these goals as a Digital Finance expert based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The DFS Specialist’s responsibilities will cover the following broad functional areas:
Provide technical advice to advance digital economy and digital finance ecosystem in Ethiopia
Identify stakeholders and implementation partners for the development of projects and innovation challenges for the projects assigned to the post holder;
Lead the implementation of projects assigned and work closely with industry players (financial institutions and others) while providing technical inputs to the implementation of the overall programme;
Review and ensure technical soundness and cost-effectiveness of project activities;
Coordinate, facilitate, and support the technical advice for the implementation of assigned projects:
The initial projects are DFS working group, digital supply chain finance for MSMEs in Ethiopia, coordination of training and capacity building project, Training, and capacity building for FSPs in humanitarian and others as the DFS program expands in the country;
Coordinate and work closely with other colleagues on the development and facilitation of training, and networking events with external stakeholders;
Facilitate follow-up and monitoring of partners and field visits;
Liaise and supervise project implementing partners to ensure that UNCDF programmatic policies and procedures are applied consistently, and projects are implemented in accordance with Project description and relevant KPIs;
Increase the visibility of UNCDF and its partner’s work in close cooperation with the Knowledge Management and Communication team;
Technical advice to DFS providers and FinTech’s to develop or scale products that contribute to the increase of women’s financial inclusion such as integrated innovations, women’s access to mobile phones and/or digital/financial literacy. Development and usage of microcredit, saving, and insurance products.
Development of Partnerships and relationship building with public and private stakeholders:
Responsible for the management of stakeholders and partners in the assigned projects;
Identification of stakeholders and implementation partners for the undertaking of various outputs and activities;
Liaise and collaborate with the finance sector players, service providers and regulators for the delivery of the project outputs;
Liaison with other relevant government and relevant partners/stakeholders, UNCDF-supported project colleagues, regarding the project, including to share information about trends, issues and results in the thematic area, to coordinate and utilize resources effectively and efficiently.
Facilitation and collaboration on knowledge building and communication :
Prepare and implement the project’s knowledge and communication plans;
Initiation of tailored research(es) in search of practical alternatives and innovative approaches for assigned projects in the country or out of the country;
Support the development of governance structure and system for knowledge development and communication – promoting platforms for sharing of best practices, data and learning for access by partners and stakeholders;
Coordinate with the DFS working group of the finance sector that is supported by UNCDF for knowledge sharing, peer learning and information dissemination;
Develop internal and external communications materials such as briefing notes, blog posts and videos to share relevant information and insights;
Track evidence related to emerging trends in digital financial service enablers that may complement the work being done in the country;
Prepare technical documents such as Requests for Applications for partners, Presentations, meeting minutes, project documents, project workbooks, and others as may be required.
Monitoring and evaluation:
Monitoring the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules observing the work-plans and set deadlines including monitoring of implementation organizations and service providers;
Preparing project progress reports (progress against planned activities, an update on risks issues, …) and ensuring timely submission of the reports;
Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders.
Other:
Demonstrates openness to change, ability to manage complex organizations and resolve problems;
Other activities as assigned by the immediate supervisor.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Economics, Project Management, Management, Banking and Finance, Data Analytics, or a similar field is required;
A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years (with a Master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in the areas of financial services (digital), distribution, supply chain management, business administration, or related experiences.
Required Skills:
Experience in working with the implementation of branch-less banking and mobile financial services projects is mandatory;
Experience working with private sector or international organizations in Africa. Demonstrated experience building partnerships, either public-private partnerships or between private sector players is mandatory;
Experience working on DFS projects in rural areas or related to agriculture/ Value Chain finance, merchant payment, distribution network or G2P payments or similar projects;
Experience in supporting in a team and/or leading development of DFS product at any capacity;
Demonstrated ability in interacting and adapting communications with regards to different stakeholders;
Experience in designing and delivering capacity building/training for different groups of audience and stakeholders;
Strong and proven problem-solving skills;
Excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills.
Desired Skills
Experience designing or building data systems;
Experience designing and piloting DFS products in peri-urban and rural geographies;
Experience in writing business cases, project and programme documents or similar type of documents;
Experience in capacity building and/or advisory services to private and public actors;
Experience working with regulators in the Central Bank on digital financial services.
Languages:
Proficiency in written and verbal English is mandatory. Knowledge of other local languages used in the Ethiopia is a requirement.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UNDP Digital Finance Services Specialist Jobs in Ethiopia
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