Senior Access to Finance Officer

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT 

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

ER-CAP is a 5-year project by Mercy Corps, DRC, and First Consult Development. It aims to improve the economic adaptation, protection, and recovery of conflict-affected populations in three regions: Afar (Abaala), Tigray (Mekelle), and Amhara (Woldiya). The program will benefit 43,540 individuals, focusing on IDPs, returnee women, youth and marginalized groups. It uses a conflict-sensitive, systems-strengthening, climate-smart and inclusive approach to enhance systems that support economic recovery. The expected outcomes include resilient livelihoods, improved access to financial products and services, and enhanced capacity to mitigate protection risks.

ER-CAP aims to improve the economic condition of conflict-affected communities by strengthening MSMEs, improving crop and livestock value chains, and providing income-generating opportunities. It includes providing affordable financial products and technology through partnerships with financial service providers, conducting GESI dialogues, and identifying business ideas for economic activities in displacement settings.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Senior Access to Finance Officer you will play a pivotal role in implementing and driving the program's objective of enhancing the economic conditions of conflict-affected communities. Your primary responsibility will be to strengthen Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by facilitating access to affordable financial products and technology. This will be achieved through strategic partnerships with various financial service providers, including Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), Digital Financial Service Providers, and community-based service providers such as Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Your expertise and leadership will contribute to empowering MSMEs, fostering economic growth, and promoting financial inclusion within these communities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategy Development:

• Collaborate with program stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy for improving access to finance in conflict-affected communities, aligning with the program's objectives

Leadership and Team management

• Plan and manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
• Lead the identification of program issues, challenges and risks, appropriate recommendations and implement them.
• Work closely with team members and partners, to support capacity-building and gender integration into the programs.
• Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties.
• Provide technical guidance to regional level project staff.
• Guide the front-line staff on the institutional culture and logistical

Partnership Management

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with financial service providers, including banks, MFIs, Digital Financial Service Providers, and VSLAs, to ensure the availability of affordable financial products and technology for MSMEs.
• Responsible for the full compliance with First Consult’s rules and regulations and policies on HR and financial activities, financial recording/reporting system

Capacity Building

• Design and implement capacity-building initiatives for MSMEs, financial service providers, and community-based service providers, focusing on enhancing financial literacy, business management skills, and utilization of digital financial services.

Financial Product Development

• Work closely with financial service providers to assess market demand to identify key constraints in the financial service system.
• Develop tailored financial products and services that meet the specific needs of MSMEs in conflict-affected communities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Closely work with the MEL team to integrate financial service in the program M&E system to track the impact of access to finance interventions, identify areas for improvement, and ensure program effectiveness.
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution.

Knowledge Sharing

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning opportunities among program stakeholders, including organizing workshops, trainings, and peer-to-peer learning sessions.

Reporting

• Prepare regular progress reports, documenting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, to keep program stakeholders informed and ensure transparency.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• The Senior Access to Finance Officer reports directly to the Access to Finance Team Lead (Line Manager)

• The Senior Access to Finance Officer works directly with ER-CAP team in Addis and in Amhara, Tigray and Afar regions, Operations and Finance Teams.

• Perform other tasks given by his supervisor.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, business administration, economics, or a related field.

• Proven experience (at least 5 years) in designing and implementing access to finance programs, preferably in conflict-affected contexts.

• Strong understanding of financial services and products, particularly within the context of MSMEs.

• Knowledge of financial institutions (Banks, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), Saving and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs)) is highly desirable

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including financial institutions and community-based organizations.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.

• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of local languages is a plus.

• Experience working in conflict-affected contexts or challenging environments is an advantage.

How To Apply

First Consult invites all well-qualified candidates to apply. Competent candidates should submit their one-page cover letter and updated CVs only to: jobs@firstconsultet.com before September 7, 2024. Candidates MUST refer to the position title "Senior Access to Finance Officer" in the subject line of their email and applications.