Background
Global
Communities Rwanda is implementing a five year (2011-2016) Integrated Improved
Livelihoods Project 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.
Communities Rwanda is implementing a five year (2011-2016) Integrated Improved
Livelihoods Project 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.
Ejo Heza therefore wishes to hire the services of a Financial Services
Specialist to support these activities.
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 Integrated 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.
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 Integrated 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:
Responsibilities:
- Manages the design,
implementation, monitoring and reporting of the program’s objectives
around 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. - Support the Rural Livelihoods
Team Leader in preparing reports related to component achievements. - Supervises the work of the
Financial Services Officer - 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. - Plan, manage and monitor all
financial education and business development services to the ISLG and the
implementation of other project component related activities. - Develop materials for training
and communication 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.
Minimum requirements
- Be a Rwandan citizen
- 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 field 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 Rural Livelihoods Team Leader and
works closely with the Rural Finance Advisor.
Financial Services Specialist reports to the Rural Livelihoods Team Leader and
works closely with the Rural Finance Advisor.
Working
Conditions
Conditions
This
position requires travel to the target districts. At least 50% of the person’s
time will be in the field.
position requires travel to the target districts. At least 50% of the person’s
time will be in the field.
How to
apply
apply
Interested
candidates should submit an executive summary (CV) , one page cover
letter to ejoheza@rw.globalcommunities.org
clearly indicating the subject line: Financial
Services Specialist. Do not submit academic certificate at this
time. Applications should be received no later than 12.00 pm Midday on Friday
the 21st February 2014. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted
candidates should submit an executive summary (CV) , one page cover
letter to ejoheza@rw.globalcommunities.org
clearly indicating the subject line: Financial
Services Specialist. Do not submit academic certificate at this
time. Applications should be received no later than 12.00 pm Midday on Friday
the 21st February 2014. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Global Communities is a
member of the Network of International NGOs, NINGO / Rwanda
member of the Network of International NGOs, NINGO / Rwanda
