Job Description

Position Title: Financial Inclusion and Access to Energy Lead
Type of Appointment Short Term Technical Assistance (STTA)
Position Level: Technical Advisory
Position Location:  Mogadishu, Somalia
Period of performance: 6 months (renewable subject to performance and availability of funds)
Reports To: Economic Agency, Inclusion, and Integration Director

DT Global works in partnership with communities, governments, and the private sector to deliver innovative solutions that transform lives. We aim to maximize sustainable development impact across a wide range of practice areas, including Conflict Prevention, Stabilization & Transition; Economic Growth; Environment & Infrastructure; Governance; and Human Development.

Project Background:

The USAID’s Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) project aims to increase individual, household, business, community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive and resilient economic market systems. The project uses a facilitative approach to build resilience capacities of marginalized rural households, urban poor communities, and businesses to face shocks and stresses. The program is seeking a consultant to facilitate financial access to companies/farms. IRiS works with companies, micro-small and medium enterprises and commercial farmers/fishers in the fisheries, livestock, and crop sectors in Jubaland, Southwest State, Hirshabelle and Benadir.

Position Summary:
The Financial Inclusion and Access to Energy Lead will spearhead initiatives to increase access to financial services and energy for the program target groups, with emphasis on supporting rural and urban livelihoods and enhancing economic agency among marginalized groups. This role involves developing targeted energy and access to finance interventions, facilitating private sector engagement, and ensuring effective planning, monitoring, and reporting of energy and financial inclusion initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:
Financial Inclusion
•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 counselling 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.
•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.

Energy Access
•Conduct research and analysis to identify the specific energy needs and challenges faced by commercial enterprises and MSMEs owned by marginalized groups and the productive sector.
•Develop and implement strategies to increase energy access for the private sector, poor urban communities, and the productive sector, considering their unique requirements and constraints.
•Collaborate with stakeholders, including government agencies, IRiS implementing partners, and private sector enterprises, to design and implement energy solutions that cater to the needs of target groups.
•Provide technical expertise and support in the planning and implementation of energy projects, including renewable energy systems and energy-efficient technologies, targeting marginalized communities and the productive sector.
•Assess and mitigate risks associated with energy access activities, ensuring compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations.
•Facilitate access to renewable energy solutions for smallholders, including the implementation of solar-powered irrigation systems and efficient energy sources for agricultural processes.
•Explore and promote affordable fish drying technologies utilizing renewable energy sources to support fisherfolk and enhance their post-harvest processing capabilities.
•Support grain millers in accessing cheap and sustainable energy solutions, such as biomass or solar-powered milling equipment, to reduce operational costs and enhance productivity.
•Prepare presentations and briefings for USAID, FCDO, line ministries and other stakeholders.

Experiences and Qualifications

Education & Minimum 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 (banks and MFIs), donor projects focusing on private sector development, or related fields is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Somalia's Financial industry and lending to marginalized groups with senior positions managing significant portfolios and expertise in efficiently and proactively managing team members.
• Demonstrated track record in successfully managing cross-cutting energy programs for SMEs and the productive sectors.
• Strong understanding of the unique energy needs and challenges faced by Somali SMEs and productive sectors, with a focus on renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions.
• A minimum of ten (10) 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

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