Financial Inclusion Advisor | Addis Ababa

Youth Impact Labs East Africa; Eth; Sur place; EUR 3 228 - 4 842; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Mercy Corps is seeking a Financial Inclusion Advisor to support a 36‑month program across rural and peri‑urban Ethiopia. The role emphasizes climate‑responsive and Sharia‑compliant financial services, gender‑inclusive design, and consumer protection.

Frequent travel (40–60%) to East and West Hararghe zones will be required, with a focus on building resilient livelihoods for rural households. The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in program management, experience with MSD, and fluency in English and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Development Studies, Program Management, or a related Social Science field.
• Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and Amharic; knowledge of Afan Oromo, Somali, or Tigrigna is an advantage.
• Computer literate, especially in Microsoft Office.

Responsabilités

• Support the development and execution of the RAISE‑DFS II detailed implementation plan with alignment to the Theory of Change.
• Enhance strategic partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Develop work plans, budgets, targets, and monitoring standards; lead VSLA digitization and travel to Hararghe zones.
• Ensure gender integration, monitor progress, and comply with Mercy Corps financial regulations.
• Provide capacity-building for gender integration and mentor team members.

Description du poste

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, and in more than 40 countries, we partner to put bold solutions into action helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within now and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri‑urban, and urban areas across five regional states — Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara — and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, integrating approaches, programs, and geographies as much as possible.

Position Summary

Position: Financial Inclusion Advisor
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Position Status: Full‑time, Regular
Salary Level: 7
Risk Level: Level 3

Program Overview

Mercy Corps is implementing a 36‑month program, 'Resilience and Incomes for Smallholders in Ethiopia through Digital Financial Services II' (RAISE‑DFS II), funded by Jersey Overseas Aid. Building on the success of RAISE‑DFS I, which reached over 350,000 users with inclusive digital and Islamic financial services, the second phase moves from piloting to institutionalization and system‑wide scale‑up. RAISE‑DFS II will catalyze a transformation in Sharia‑compliant and digital financial services across the lowlands and highlands, increasing incomes and resilience for rural households, particularly women and youth, across Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Somali, and Oromia, targeting 100,000 individuals.

Program Outcomes

• Financial institutions provide climate‑responsive products and services that enable rural women and youth to adapt and build resilience to climate change.
• Women and youth benefit from using DFS through strengthened consumer protection and improved trust and understanding of the services.
• Financial institutions expand outreach into new areas and to underserved populations through improved and expanded agent networks and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Planning
  Support the development and execution of the RAISE‑DFS II detailed implementation plan, ensuring alignment with the program’s Theory of Change and Green Market Systems Development approach. Ensure all team members understand the program strategy and their roles in delivering scale‑up.
• Coordination and Collaboration
  Enhance strategic partnerships with financial institutions, fintechs, regulators, and other stakeholders. Collaborate with clients, partners, and stakeholders to align approaches and promote common interests. Leverage synergies with complementary Mercy Corps programs to accelerate last‑mile distribution and strengthen digital ecosystems.
• Program Management
  Develop work plans, activities, targets, budgets, and monitoring standards. Conduct high‑quality market system assessments focusing on climate‑responsive products, Sharia‑compliant finance, gender‑inclusive design, and consumer protection. Design Intervention Concept Notes using results chains and ‘Who Does, Who Pays?’ matrices. Lead the establishment and digitization of Village Savings and Loan Associations, supporting travel to East and West Hararghe zones. Support partner FIs in developing climate‑responsive products, expanding agent networks, and strengthening consumer protection systems. Ensure gender integration, monitor progress, and comply with Mercy Corps financial regulations.
• Teamwork and Leadership
  Plan work, manage priorities, and work under pressure. Provide capacity‑building for gender integration. Build effective partnerships, identify program issues and risks, and mentor team members.
• Safeguarding
  Integrate safeguarding into all work, respect participant dignity, encourage openness, and support reporting mechanisms.
• Security
  Ensure compliance with security procedures, maintain secure environments, and apply conflict‑sensitive principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Development Studies, Program Management, or a related Social Science field. Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 5–7 years of program management and coordination experience, preferably in financial inclusion and digital financial services.
• Experience in Sharia‑compliant/Islamic finance product development, climate‑responsive financial product design, product and strategy development, and financial literacy programs.
• Strong experience with VSLA operation and management, particularly in Oromia (East and West Hararghe zones).
• Knowledge of market systems, micro‑financial institutions, banks, fintechs, agent networks, and regulators.
• Understanding of Market Systems Development (MSD) approach.
• Familiarity with VSLA digitization practices and consumer protection frameworks.
• Knowledge of gender‑responsive and gender‑transformative approaches.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project sites, including insecure environments (40–60% travel). Frequent travel to East and West Hararghe zones is specifically required.
• Fluency in English and Amharic. Knowledge of Afan Oromo, Somali, or Tigrigna is an advantage.
• Computer literate, especially in Microsoft Office.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we engage with are treated with respect and dignity, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. Team members are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct and policies.

Application Process

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. Applications, including a CV, three references, and official documents, must be sent electronically. Only short‑listed candidates will be acknowledged. The deadline for all applications is July 11, 2026.