PROGRAM LEAD (DEEPENING DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES)

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Established in 2021, FSD Ethiopia (FSDE) is an agency dedicated to fostering the development of accessible, inclusive, and sustainable financial markets to drive economic growth and human development.

As a market facilitator, FSD Ethiopia supports various stakeholders in addressing the root causes of financial system failures. Our primary focus is on achieving financial markets that are accessible, inclusive, and sustainable, thereby supporting Ethiopia's long-term development objectives.

Our key responsibilities include identifying the underlying causes of financial system failures, facilitating collaboration among market actors to overcome these challenges, and actively contributing to the establishment of a functional and efficient financial sector that benefits a broad range of individuals and businesses in Ethiopia.

Our overarching vision is to contribute to the establishment of a thriving financial system that brings tangible value to the broader economy and the people of Ethiopia. We are committed to reducing poverty by strengthening Ethiopia's financial markets and addressing the most persistent challenges they face, such as the lack of long-term finance, particularly in local currency, and inadequate risk management capacity.

FSD Ethiopia collaborates with various stakeholders in the financial sector, including the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and other development partners. Our efforts primarily focus on financial inclusion, access to capital, and climate finance. Moreover, our interventions are closely aligned with national and regional policies as well as priorities for financial sector reform.Aligning with the national economic reform agenda, FSD Ethiopia’s work focuses on three thematic areas across the financial sector landscape.

1. Financial inclusion: Driving increased access, usage, and quality of financial services for individuals, households, and MSMEs - including savings, payments, credit, insurance, and investment.

2. Access to capital: Expanding access to and breadth of efficient long/short- term financing options for private businesses of all scales, and the public sector, including equity, bonds, working capital, etc.

3. Climate finance: Mobilizing domestic and international capital to fund climate adaptation and mitigation projects and needs of government, businesses, and households, such as green bonds, carbon credits, and insurance.

OVERALL, JOB PURPOSE

The Technical Lead is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and management of PMO office projects with the aim of deepening innovative digital financial services. This role supports the achievement of program goals by providing program design and management support in innovative digital financial services products and services, such as digital savings, access to credit, micro-insurance, and micro-pension services. In addition to leading the design and implementation, the lead expert will coordinate interactions with stakeholders to facilitate the leveraging of

technical expertise in conceptualizing, implementing, and managing projects.

Key Responsibilities and Role Requirements

The program lead will primarily be responsible for designing and implementing projects to deepen innovative digital financial products and services. Therefore, they will be responsible for:

• Guide the PMO experts in identifying and developing projects that collectively improve financial inclusion, guided by the NFIS and the intended outcomes and impact of the PMO office.

• Lead the design and development of specific financial innovation-related interventions.

• Develop terms of reference for engaging external resources to support project implementation.

• Prepare proposals for approval by the PMO lead or FIS, as needed.

• Support the PMO lead in risk and results monitoring for financial innovation-related projects.

• Identifying and leading the provision of technical support to enhance and consolidate the regulatory and supporting environment for financial services beyond payments, to facilitate digital channels and innovative offerings.

• Identifying and supporting the development of enabling regulatory frameworks for savings and pension ecosystems and offerings, focusing on innovative products and mobilization outreach.

• Identifying and supporting the development of enabling regulatory frameworks for a micro- insurance ecosystem and offerings, through a business case and index data infrastructure.

• Identifying and developing projects that promote digital savings.

• Working with FSPs to provide support in launching digital saving products and providing tools and support for customers to manage their customized saving plans.

• Working on the introduction of a private pension scheme, particularly for low-income individuals.

• Promoting all G2P and P2G payments to be made through bank and MFI accounts.

• Working with members of cooperatives, Edir, community-saving (Equb), community health insurance schemes, and others to promote account opening and savings with financial institutions (initiative).

• Increasing financing options for MSMEs by closely working with FSPs and identifying support areas for expansion.

• Supporting the development of a regulatory framework for digital micro-credit products with fair practices, transparent interest rates, and grievance redressal based on global practices. Reviewing existing regulations to identify gaps and requirements for interest rate and fee capping.

• Collaborating closely with other stakeholders to identify ways to scale national agricultural insurance schemes (in collaboration with MoA/ATI).

• Supporting initiatives to expand and strengthen innovation, access, and distribution channels for microinsurance.

• Supporting initiatives to link Edir to the formal financial system (initiative).

• Leading and managing the implementation of special (preparatory, exploratory, or innovative) projects.

• Participating in the development of resourcing plans and budgets for respective projects, including negotiating budgets with implementing partners as required.

• Contributing to resource mobilization, for example, by developing detailed plans and budgets for funding proposals and assisting in identifying and securing funding.

• Coordinating with the procurement team to monitor procurement plans for respective projects to ensure effective management of external resources.

• Overseeing the monitoring of project spending and providing support in rebudgeting or taking necessary corrective action.

• Overseeing the preparation of periodic program updates to the steering committee and external stakeholders, including toolkits and lessons learned.

• Ensuring the collection of quantitative and qualitative data from project stakeholders, as per the project plan and monitoring reporting and measurement (MRM) framework, and following up as necessary to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Ensuring that project measurement and intervention outputs/milestones achievement trackers are updated quarterly.

• Liaising with the MRM team to collate, analyze, and use quantitative and qualitative data, and coordinating with the Communications and Advocacy team to ensure effective dissemination.

• Participating in monitoring, result management, and learning for projects being implemented, ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions.

• Leading stakeholder mapping for the pillar, identifying key decision-makers/power brokers, and participating in developing innovative ideas.

• Developing content for relevant written pieces and reports on specific areas for dissemination, aiming to influence/communicate on topical issues on financial innovations.

• Contributing to the Pillar’s advocacy and communications activities, engaging in and overseeing thought leadership activities, events, forums, etc., within the areas of responsibility.

• Participating in networking events and/or convening stakeholders to build awareness and influence thinking around specific Financial Innovations.

• Overseeing the maintenance of the knowledge repository, including key financial sector trends, risks, and opportunities to inform knowledge products and presentations.

• Overseeing knowledge management activities, such as the development of toolkits and research notes.

Grade: 5

Reporting Relationships Reports Directly to: PMO lead,FSD

Reports indirectly to: TBD

Direct reports: Experts

Qualifications

• Master's degree in finance, banking, commerce, business, accounting, or other relevant fields.

• Relevant professional qualifications in project management or related fields will be an advantage.

• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience, with five (5) years of supervisory experience managing teams and financial resources in equivalent roles.

• Experience in the financial ecosystem.

• Certifications in financial management, accounting, leadership, and other related fields.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrate high levels of integrity.
• Ability to operationalize short-term plans, programs, and budgets developed at the strategic and senior management levels.
•  Ability to implement plans, programs, SOPs, and coordinate workflows.
• Interpersonal, leadership, and people management skills.
• Project management and implementation skills.
• Formal presentation skills.
• Ability to write complex reports and proposals.
• Analytical skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated strategic skills and capacity to conceptualize, structure, and supervise projects/programs.
• Ability to build personal and institutional relationships and networks.
• Fluency in both English and Amharic working languages is required.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit their application letter and CV by clearly stating the position "PROGRAM LEAD (DEEPENING DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES)" through jobs@fsdethiopia.org

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: FSD Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer, and candidates from all backgrounds including religion, ethnic groups, qualified women, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.