Mercy Corps is a leading global relief and development agency saving and improving lives in the world’s toughest places. In more than 40 countries, we partner with local people to put bold ideas into action, help them overcome adversity and build stronger communities.
We help communities survive and move beyond emergencies. When natural disasters strike, economies collapse or conflict flares, Mercy Corps is there.
Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives to grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs.
We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions.
Program / Department Summary: Formal financial inclusion as well as accessibility to viable capital is imperative for economic growth and wellbeing for citizens of Wajir.
However, appropriate or Sharia-compliant financial services that serve pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Wajir are non-existent.
Further, capital constraints are important underlying challenges for most of Mercy Corps programming in Wajir. It is for this reason that Mercy Corps is partnering with a Sharia-compliant SACCO to buy down their risk and help them enter the Wajir market.
In addition to helping to provide appropriate financing in Wajir, we are also working to strengthen savings groups and eventually link them to formal financial services.
Mercy Corps’ work emphasizes crowding in and expanding businesses that provide important and beneficial products and services to communities and households over the long-term.
As our market facilitation approach expands partnerships with private sector actors, it is increasingly important to deepen our financial services work similarly.
General Position Summary: The Financial Services Manager will be responsible for improving access to financial services for producers, agribusinesses, livestock owners and traders, and small business owners in Wajir county with particular attention to Mercy Corps’ programming areas.
S/he will be responsible for helping to support, market and roll out the products of Sharia-compliant SACCO, support their operations and identify areas and propose actions to build their management and technical capacities.
Under the guidance of the Programs Manager/ Head of Office, the Specialist will conduct assessments and research regarding service delivery, product appropriateness, extension needs, institutional arrangements, markets for financial services, accessibility of services and new opportunities and models, and come up with a plan to help roll out and market the SACCO’s products.
Essential Job Functions:
Work closely with the Markets team members and broader program team in planning and implementation of financial access components of the projects according to the approved work plan and budgets, project document and implementation strategies.
Provide direct and ongoing field supervision over the economic development and market specialists to provide quality advise and technical review in areas related to markets and economic development;
Identify value-addition opportunities that strengthen economic opportunities, especially for rural women and urban poor, in the livestock and agriculture sectors as identified by local and national government as well as independent market studies and needs assessments; these will focus on urbanized areas such as Wajir, selected sub counties and districts that are heavily engaged in livestock production, horticulture and value chain development
Support the startup and roll out of the Sharia-compliant SACCO in Wajir; help market their products and services and help promote understanding and community acceptance of their vision and products.
Undertake financial inclusion or financial product research and assessments as needed and with partners
Identify the capacity gaps of financial services actors, design and implement most feasible capacity building activities based on identified gaps.
Conduct due-diligence on potential partners and support the negotiation process, as requested, in finalizing teaming and partnership agreements.
Provide continuous support and oversee activities of the local financial institutions identified for capacity building support.
Work closely with all program team members to identify clients for financial services and to support service extension and financial inclusion as well as development of suitable products and services
Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs where relevant and feasible.
Actively participate in the periodic program planning, review and reflection meetings and sessions.
Prepare periodic work plans and progress reports. 13. Prepare accurate and timely reports and other project documentation and communication that contribute to a learning organization;
Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programs and local government bodies to ensure coherent program implementation and to capitalize on business opportunities in Mercy Corps’ target communities.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Other duties as assigned.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility: Economic Development Specialist and Markets Systems Team Leader
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Programs Manager and Head of Office
Works Directly With: Wajir-based program team, operations and finance team in Wajir and equivalent departments in Nairobi.
Knowledge and Experience:
A degree in Business Administration, Economics or Finance is required. a graduate degree (MA/S) will be an added advantage
Minimum of five to seven years working for a financial institution with orientation to mass markets or within the private sector is required;
Interest and ability to work closely and through private sector partners
Must be familiar with the local Wajir context and fluency in the Somali language will be an added advantage
Familiarity with M&E, information, communications and knowledge sharing technologies and use of innovative approaches on digital financial services
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner;
Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills;
Excellent networking and negotiation skills required;
Strong analytical and quantitative skills
Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment mandatory;
Ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously
Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
Success Factors:
Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership approach.
Creative and insightful in development programming including the relationships between economic empowerment, peace-building and reconciliation.
Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect.
Ability to engage with strategic institutional partners
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org on or before Monday 18th April, 2016 by 4.00pm.
The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for.
Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified.
Please do not attach any certificates.
(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates.)
NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.