Department: Upcoming Highlands Resilience Activity (HRA)

Employee Type: Full-time regular (5 years contract)   

Department: Food Security and Livelihood

Work Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a Sr. advisor- Access to Finance for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) program in Ethiopia. The Activity will have a strong focus on facilitating access to finance for vulnerable highlands households and will be integrated into USAID's Resilience Food Security Activities (RFSAs) in five target regions of Ethiopia.

The Sr. Advisor- Access to Finance will report directly to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and will ensure technical implementation of high impact, proven interventions that meet stated HRA’s goals and reporting requirements.

She/he will coordinate financial activities related to access to finance with key stakeholders international consortium members, and local implementing partners as well as financial specialists of selected MFIs.. She/he will manage the implementation of key financial services throughout the targeted regions and woredas. She/he will oversee the work of international and local partners involved in facilitating access to finance related activities. She/he  provides  assistance and guidance for the proper financial management of pilot projects. to ensure the best use of resources by preparing sound budgets, monitoring project expenses, and providing accurate and timely  reports on the access to finance component for donors.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

SCOPE OF ROLE

Reports to: HRA Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Provide TA to facilitate access to finance; help develop new financial products; help strengthen selected MFIsn collaboration with the DCOP, ensure that the program is delivered according to the contractual requirement with the donor and government i.e. that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled;

• Provide technical leadership for all financial related activities; ensuring timely and effective implementation of these activities by project staff, sub-grantees, and other technical assistance providers; 

• Assist in the design and regularly updates of detailed annual work plans and ensure these are used by the project team and partners involved in access to finance appropriately, to monitor progress towards completion and achievement of program objectives;

• Contribute to programmatic reports for donors, government and Save the Children; ensuring that reports on access to finance component are of the highest quality and submitted in a timely manner to the COP.

• Assist with the preparation and revision of a realistic budget for financial services related activities.

• Ensure proper financial services reports or sections of reports to achieve HRA’s work plan objectives, and to contribute to the achievement of the overall program goals;

• Assist in maintaining good working relationships with HRA’s staff, officials, government ministries, implementing partners and the international and local NGO community;

• Closely work with wide range of financial service providers (MFIs, Banks, VSLA groups) in establishing partnership and managing relationship on regular basis

• Collaborate with clients, partners, and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results.

• Work with program staff and Save the Children’s Technical Advisors based in the country office to identify the technical support needs  related to access to finance,of the program and ensure this support is provided;

• Monitor financial services related activities, identify challenges and develop appropriate reporting, results, and progress to the COP.

• Provide technical support to integrate Digital Financial Service & financial inclusion into HRA program.

• Conduct high quality market system assessments in financial services, providing the foundation for program design.

• Ensure gender integration and mainstreaming are incorporated into financial inclusions interventions.

• Coordinate closely with the SC offices in administrative and HR matters, especially regarding the provision of financial services.

• Attend and actively participate in periodic program meetings and ensure a summary of progress and challenges to be presented with follow-up actions as required.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in finance, banking or business administration.

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the provision of financial services in a development project in Ethiopia.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, Partners staff, banking, micro-finance sector entities, local community organizations, donors and other stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level;

• Strengths in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and capacity building to realize organizational objectives;

•  Strong financial and analytical skills to turn data into succinct and useful deliverables for HRA. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• Knowledge of at least one local language

• Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of Ethiopia.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior professional experience in a USAID funded project.

• Familiarity with USG-funded Resilience and Food Security Activities and/or the Government of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program.

• Experience working in fragile contexts including those affected by conflict, natural disasters and other political/socio-economic stressors.

• Experience working with micro-finance institutions and/or agricultural lending.

• Experience working with vulnerable populations in particular ultra-poor, women, youth and migrant populations.

What is In It for You?

• Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around  the world  

• A family friendly work environment  

• Highly collaborative and innovative teams 

• Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time 

• Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance 

• Retirement savings account with matching company contributions

• Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid  and senior level managers  

• Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities and with the American Management Association, as well as language learning opportunities 

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States, Ethiopia and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism embedded in this country.   Save the Children will not tolerate racism in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people of color to fight for equal rights and justice.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws

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