Financial Services Specialist at Global Communities Rwanda May 2014

 

Background
Global Communities Rwanda is implementing a five year (2011-2016) Integrated Improved Livelihoods Project (IILP) funded by USAID and locally named Ejo Heza with a key focus on improving financial service provision to rural populations. This is being done through a two pronged approach; on the one hand working with financial service providers to increase the supply of financial services to the rural areas through market research and product development, and on the other hand increasing the demand for financial services through working with the users of these services especially organized around savings groups.
USAID Ejo Heza therefore wishes to hire the services of a Financial Services Specialist to support these activities for a period of two years.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Financial Services Specialist will provide technical assistance to local partners in the development and delivery of interventions related to financial services. This will include financial service interventions addressing the users and suppliers of financial services such as banks, microfinance institutions, savings and credit cooperatives and savings groups (referred to as Internal Savings and Lending Groups – ISLG’s). The Financial Services Specialist will manage program and partner work in community mobilization, access to financial services and linkages to business development services for beneficiary populations. The Financial Services Specialist manages the implementation of ISLG strengthening activities including building organizational, management and governance capacity of ISLG’s and partners. Financial Education being a key component of the program, the Financial Services Specialist will manage the implementation, monitoring and reporting of all financial education activities.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Manages the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the program’s objectives around financial services.
  • Manages the work plan and budgets with regard to financial services
  • The Financial Services Specialist works with local partners and conducts regular site visits to ensure quality of implementation while coordinating closely with other technical team members to increase impact of activities.
  • Monitors and provides reporting on performance indicators in financial services and SAVIX.
  • Provides periodic reporting
  • Identify and assess capacities, gaps and technical assistance needs of ISLG’s in target districts and with RPOs and other team members develop a work plan to strengthen the groups.
  • Develops and manages all financial services related trainings.
  • Manages implementation of supply side initiatives that support financial service providers including MFI’s, banks and SACCOs in market research and product development.
  • Supports the expansion of mobile based financial solutions within the USAID Ejo Heza regions of operation.
  • Plans, manages and monitors all financial education and business development services to the ISLGs and the implementation of other project component related activities.
  • Manages the development of all training and communication material with regard to ISLG’s and financial education
  • Working with the BCC Officer, develop behavioral change communications, social mobilization and campaigning events to promote improved financial services and use.
  • Given the nature of the work, the Financial Services Specialist may be required to carry out duties which are not specifically listed above.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Masters degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or Rural Development Studies or a related field.
  • 3-5 years professional experience, with at least 3 years experience implementing private sector and/or rural/economic development programs in Rwanda.  Experience with working with the private sector preferred.  USAID experience a plus.
  • Practical experience working with a Microfinance Institution
  • Practical experience working with Savings Groups
  • Demonstrated capacity to work with cooperatives, private sector firms, financial institutions, and the Government of Rwanda
  • Knowledge of microfinance best practices and specific strategies for sustainable economic development of low income populations.
  • Experience working in Rwanda’s key economic sectors involving rural populations, including horticulture (fruits and vegetables), livestock (including dairy), traditional agricultural sectors, agricultural processing, handicrafts, and tourism.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Rwanda’s financial services market, consulting sector, and other economic institutions.
  • Proven leadership and strategic and critical thinking.
  • Ability to work effectively with low income populations.
  • Strong report writing, presentation and Microsoft Office skills
  • Excellent English written and verbal skills. Fluency in Kinyarwanda and French preferred. Must be able to read and interpret documents, and communicate with others in the languages indicated to perform job duties effectively.
Working Relationships

The Financial Services Specialist reports to the Program Coordinator and supervises the work of the Financial Services Officer. He/she works closely with the Senior Rural Livelihoods Team Leader to ensure coordination of all technical services.

Working Conditions
This position requires travel to the target districts. At least 50% of the person’s time will be in the field.

How to respond
Interested candidates should submit a one page cover letter detailing their suitability for the position together with relevant educational certificates and names of three current referees. Applications should be sent on soft copy through the following address ejoheza@rw.globalcommunities.org clearly indicating the subject line: Application for the position of Financial Services Specialist. Applications should be received no later than 12.00 pm Midday on Friday the 16th May 2014.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted



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