Project Lead and Research Associate Job Vacancy at Centre for insights into Financial inclusion (CiFi) in Kenya 2013

Project Lead and Research Associate Job Vacancy at Centre for insights into Financial inclusion (CiFi) in Kenya 2013

Centre for insights into Financial inclusion

Research Posts

Kenya has made impressive progress in broadening the reach of financial services over the last decade. However persistently high rates of exclusion among the lowest income groups and low usage by many others, point to the limitations of current services. Digital technologies now offer the real prospect of overcoming some of the major hurdles to further expansion of financial inclusion.

FSD Kenya is establishing a new Centre for insights into Financial inclusion (CiFi) to expand its support for the effective application of digital technology in financial markets.

The Centre’s ambition is to produce practical research which can be applied by financial institutions, regulators and policymakers in creating sustainable market solutions.

We are seeking researchers to work in the Centre who share our passion for using knowledge to drive change.

Project Lead

You will lead the Centre on a day-to-day basis, responsible for creating and applying relevant research. Although quality and rigour in research is essential the Centre’s contribution will be judged first and foremost on the practical value of what it does. Key responsibilities will be to design and manage research projects, communicate findings effectively to market participants and work alongside colleagues in FSD in producing new ideas to stimulate market based innovations.

You will be responsible for managing a small team to deliver a demanding set of outputs and you will therefore need to be self-driven and able to work against tight deadlines.

At a minimum you will have:

Relevant qualification in social science (minimum masters level)
Track record of successful application of research
Experience of working in the financial services field
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Research Associate

Working under the guidance of the Project Lead, you will support the CiFi Centre’s research activities.

You will participate in the analysis process to ensure that data is analysed rigorously, editing and co-writing research papers while keeping abreast of global research relevant to FSD’s digital financial market development agenda.

You will need to have a keen eye for detail, strong research skills and the ability to work against tight deadlines to deliver the expected outputs.

As a minimum you will have:

Relevant qualifications in social science (minimum bachelor’s, masters preferred)
Relevant research experience in a developing country context (preferably Kenya)
Strong analytical skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills

Detailed terms of reference for these positions can be downloaded from our website (under the Opportunities section).

If you think you are the right person for these opportunities, then send your CV and covering letter by email to recruit@adeptsystems.co.ke.

Please put “Project Lead” or “Research Associate” in the subject line.

Closing date: 3rd September 2013.

FSD Kenya operates as an independent Trust registered in Kenya under the supervision of professional trustees, with poiicy guidance from its programme in vestment committee.

Finance is provided by a number of leading development agencies including the UK’S Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation together with the Government of Kenya.

Further information can be obtained from our web site: www.fsdkenya.org