The Financial Business Inclusion Advisor will have a key role in supporting the organisation to strengthen and scale up the Financial Business Inclusion programme in Ethiopia. Specifically, the Financial and Business Inclusion Advisor provides leadership and management to Financial Inclusion initiatives and implementing partners. The Financial Business Inclusion Advisor supports primarily RuSACCOs, Unions and VESAs works in Ethiopia. The objective of the programme is to build independent and sustainable rural cooperative financial institutions that deliver sustainable and inclusive financial services to their rural members. The Financial Business Inclusion Advisor reports directly to SHA Ethiopia’s Head of Programmes (HoP) and she/he is expected to play a key role in contributing to the overall achievement of programme goals. The post holder is required to manage a team, be able to work independently, be solution orientated and have a business and finance background and the life and professional experience to work appropriately with corporate entities, Unions, SACCOs, SMEs and partners.

Key Responsibilities

Please note that the full list of responsibilities can be found in the Job Description.

The Financial Business Inclusion Advisor is responsible for RuSACCO and VESA development and implementation, including development of annual work plans, organising, and coordinating activities including capacity building and assessment, input provision, organising training, conducting progress reviews and monitoring and evaluation. She/he is responsible for making decisions relating to the rural finance programme, coordinating technical inputs, overseeing staff and consultants including allocation of duties/responsibilities, activities, and associated resources to achieve project objectives. The Financial Business Inclusion Advisor is expected to have significant experience in financial cooperatives, VESA operation in microfinance and management experience, and be a self-starter and require minimum supervision.

Key Relationships

The incumbent will have active relations with:

• Project managers
• SHA Ethiopia Head of Programmes (Line Manager)
• SHA Country Director
• SHA Ethiopia RuSACCO programme staff (direct reports)
• Other SHA Ethiopia staff
• Programme Support Teams and Policy and Strategy Team at Self Help Africa HQs
• Finance Teams in country and in Ireland/UK/USA
• Programme partners ILCUF and others (if any)
• HR officer SHA
• Civil Society Organisations in Ethiopia including National and International NGOs
• Government ministries and local government staff
• Donors/Supporters of SHA programmes

Knowledge and Experience

• Ability to communicate both in Amharic and English in writing and speaking
• Ability to handle and care sensitive matters.
• Able to work independently and act on own initiative.
• Knowledge of appropriate computer software to handle the task.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience with first degree, and 4 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree in a similar role.
• A minimum of 4 years’ experience in programme management at senior level

Qualifications/Other Requirements

• Degree/Master’s in business and commercial finance, or related field
• Operational experience with financial cooperatives/microfinance, accounting, business management and rural livelihoods approaches to development.
• A strong commitment to the aims, objectives and values of SHA’s programme in Ethiopia
• Relevant qualification(s) in finance, accountancy and/or microfinance (including financial cooperatives)
• Experience in facilitation of learning process, networking and knowledge management
• Knowledge of current challenges facing livelihoods of rural Ethiopians
• A mature self-starter, excellent communicator and team builder with the ability to manage and motivate staff
• Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills in English
• Commitment to international development and humanitarian NGO codes, standards and practices
• Very good working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and general IT skills
• Languages: proficient oral and written, in one or more of the federal working languages and English