Job Description

SCOPE OF WORK
POSITION TITLE: Finance Engagement Lead
POSITION LEVEL: Managerial 
DURATION OF CONTRACT: Long-Term
POSITION LOCATION: Mogadishu, Somalia
REPORTS TO: Economic Agency, Inclusion, and Integration Director

Project Background:

The USAID/Somalia Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) Program works with the Somali government and people to ensure drought 
resistant agriculture and livelihood diversification for rural and urban households, as well as robust private sector engagement for inclusive 
economic opportunities for marginalized groups. More specifically, IRiS will provide targeted technical support and capacity building to 
strengthen resilience to climatic shocks for agriculture systems, increase the capacity of the private sector to integrate displaced persons 
better into the economy, and increase the access of marginalized households/businesses to finance and domestic remittances.

Position Summary:

The Financial Engagement Lead will spearhead initiatives to strengthen economic market systems and increase access to financial services
for the program target groups withing georgaphical focus area, with an emphasis on supporting rural and urban livelihoods, and enhancing 
economic agency among marginalized groups. This role involves developing targeted financial programs, facilitating private sector 
engagement, and ensuring effective planning, monitoring, and reporting of financial initiatives. They will manage the Economic Agency 
Engagement Specialist and the Private Sector Engagement Specialist.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the project's financial inclusion strategy aligned with the overall project objectives.
• Apply technical expertise to develop and implement evidence-based interventions and initiatives aimed at expanding access to 
and usage of financial services for targeted populations.
• Develop and administer targeted financing assistance activities, including micro-finance loans for climate-resilient agricultural 
activities, urban poor, and IDPs.
• Collaborate with farmer cooperatives and groups, providing training and resources on financial best practices, cooperative 
governance, and collective business strategies.
• Establish linkages between financial service providers, private sector entities and community groups for better input supply and 
marketing.
• Develop business models and contracts to enhance private sector engagement in rural and urban economies.
• Offer personalized financial counseling and assist in developing business and financial plans, managing risks, and exploring new 
market opportunities.
• Conduct market analyses to identify financial trends and opportunities in the agricultural, livestock and urban sectors.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to develop new financial products tailored to smallholder farmers and marginalized urban 
populations.
• Regularly assess the impact of financial services and report on their contribution to the economic well-being of target groups.
• Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to build consensus and support for financial inclusion initiatives.
• Advocate for policy and regulatory changes conducive to a more inclusive financial system in the project context.
• Prepare and submit detailed work plans and progress reports in line with the project's operational plans.
• Develops, updates and maintains a current list of access to finance barriers to private sector growth in Somalia and potential 
market system interventions to ease access to finance barriers.
• Supports sector leads of IRiS consortium partners in communication and outreach activities with market players including 
professional associations, private businesses, area-specific NGOs, government entities and all other stakeholders.
• Lead in the coordination of the engagement of private financial institutions by the sector leads
• Support the sector leads in the collection of necessary data, analysis and dissemination.
• Leverage private sector investments into the productive sectors and marginalized groups within GFZ, by actively seeking 
opportunities to attract and engage private sector partners.
• Provide comprehensive support to private financial institutions in Somalia, focusing on enhancing their institutional capacities, 
strengthening their staff capabilities, expanding their client base, and facilitating the development of customized financial
products specifically tailored to target groups.
• Ensure the economic inclusivity of all target groups to maximize their participation and benefit from the program, through 
collaborative efforts with all IRiS implementing partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Identify and proactively engage with similar donor-funded projects that align with the program's objectives of enhancing access 
to finance for the target groups, through engagement and partnerships, and work closely with management to attract private 
development funds.
• Support the expansion of the private sector in remote and coastal villages within the project focus locations by providing 
technical support and implementing de-risking mechanisms.
• Prepare presentations and briefings for USAID, FCDO, line ministries and other stakeholders.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Both a bachelor’s degree in economics, Business, Finance, Corporate Social Responsibility, or a related field, and a master’s
degree are required for this position.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience in the Somalia financial sector, donor projects focusing on private 
sector development, or related fields is required.
• At least eight (8) years of experience in private sector engagement, financial inclusion, or related activities.
• A minimum of five (5) years of direct supervisory experience managing donor projects and leading critical teams is required.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in business inclusive practices among marginalized groups, youth-friendly financial services, 
village savings and loan association (VSLA) design and management, and guarantee funds.
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with private sector partners, cooperative leaders, local governance 
leaders, youth leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of the financial landscape in Somalia.
• Experience working with donor-funded programming, with a preference for experience with USAID projects.
• Must be a Somali national, with fluency in both spoken and written English and Somali.

Core Competencies:

TEAMWORK: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized 
by inclusion, trust and commitment.
COMMUNICATION: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening 
skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
ADAPTABILITY: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands 
and competing priorities in a changing environment.
CUSTOMER/CLIENT FOCUSED: Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and 
responsive manner.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Conveys respect for all individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone 
fairly.
PROFESSIONALISM: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; 
demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal.

Skills Required

Attachment

Follow us on social media