Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian organization operating Water and Sanitation, Economic Development, Livelihoods, Capacity Building, Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition and similar sectors in the regions of Somali, Oromiya, Addis Ababa and SNNPR. Mercy Corps works with communities, public, and private sectors to implement appropriate relief, recovery and development interventions.
POSITION:Islamic Financial Services Specialist
OPEN POSITION: One
DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Islamic Financial Services Specialist is a key member of the Economic & Markets Development (EMD) Team within the Economic and Markets Development (EMD) unit. The EMD Team uses a market systems, community-led approach to stimulate economic growth creating wealth and jobs for the poorest while maximizing investment from the private and public sectors. The EMD Team is comprised of technical expertise in the areas of labor market, outputs markets, inputs markets and financial markets. Its main sectors include livestock and livestock products, agriculture, energy, financial services, light industry and labor/employment
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Becomes intimately familiar with PRIME’s approach, including market systems strengthening, the facilitation approach (including smart-subsidies), and the socio/economic and geographic nuances of Afar, Somali, and Oromia regions and its pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and TOPs (those transitioning out of pastoralism).
Becomes intimately familiar with all aspects of the relevant market systems the project is targeting including key actors (village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), rural/savings and credit cooperatives (Ru/SaCCos), micro-financial institutions (MFIs), banks, associations, information service providers, inputs suppliers, producers, traders, warehousers, transporters, intermediary and terminal markets governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.
Develops strong relationships with key decision-makers at policy bodies, relevant government agencies (ex. Cooperative Agency), banks, MFIs, associations such as AEMFI and the banker’s association, private sector clients, and RuSaCCOs.
Leads the workplan/strategy process for years 3-5 to outline activities, priorities, and timelines in the three PRIME target areas.
Coordinates the implementation of all Islamic finance activities.
Develops key monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones and plans in close collaboration with supervisor and M&E team, and solely responsible for monitoring and reporting all output, outcome and impact indicators for respective activities.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Monitors all Islamic finance activities to make sure that they are on-time and scope and initiates shifts in approach based on feedback on activities.
Provides technical leadership in all things concerning Islamic Finance, including staff capacity building, mentoring, and training.
Clearly communicates strategies and activities to make sure that all relevant internal; and external stakeholders are well-informed.
Seeks innovative ideas such as mobile banking, linking banks/MFIs/RuSACCOs/VSLAs, Index-based livestock insurance, leasing products catering to pastoralist and agro-pastoralist livelihoods.
Follows industry trends, regularly attend industry events, and builds a network of key industry actors.
Collaborates with other IRs and cross-cutting areas such as gender, disability, and emergency in order to integrate and synergize activities.
Travels to field offices frequently to support field teams.
Fosters learning: Contributes to organizational learning by sharing relevant industry information, developing learning briefs, blog content, or other knowledge materials.
Conducts her/himself 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.
Job Requirement
Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, agribusiness, or other related field, or commensurate private sector or field experience is required. Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 7 years’ experience in private sector, private sector development or working with other agencies in market systems facilitation, financial services, and agribusiness.
Significant experience with Islamic financial products and services required.
Experience working at the policy-level and with associations, banks, MFIs, ru/SACCOs, and private service provider VSLA model.
Experience in private sector is strongly preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
Fluent in English, Fluent in at least two of the following languages: Somali, Afaan Oromo, and/or Amharic (capable in all three a strong benefit).
Business minded, entrepreneurial, curious, great problem solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.
Strong manager with excellent organizational skills and experience in managing complex projects in high-energy environments.
Excellent communication, facilitation and networking skills with a wide range of actors across geographical areas.
Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)