Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian aid agency engaged in transitional environments that have experienced some sort of shock: natural disaster, economic collapse, or conflict.
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
With funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Mercy Corps’ Nawiri Program is leading a consortium of Kenyan and international partners on a five year journey to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu Counties of Kenya. Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation, the program takes a robust county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the private sector, and civil society. Mercy Corps’ consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions. Together we will sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable populations in Turkana and Samburu counties.
General Position Summary
Reporting to the Field Director, the Senior Private Sector Engagement & Financial Inclusion Officer will be responsible for assisting in the implementation and support of facilitation projects that make beneficial products and services accessible to households within the geographic focus of the program as well as improving access to financial services to producers, agribusinesses and enterprises in the project areas. These activities will work almost exclusively through private sector actors, seeking to crowd in provision rather than displace or replicate private actors with donor-funded services. S/he will assess the existing capacity of Financial Institutions, conduct assessments and research regarding service delivery, product appropriateness, extension needs, institutional arrangements, markets for financial services, accessibility of services and new opportunities and models, among other responsibilities, across the financial sector in the project area. The Senior Private Sector Engagement & Financial Inclusion Officer will work closely with the Technical Team to better address and improve the economic future and quality of life of its program participants.
Mercy Corps implements high-quality, analytical development work in very difficult places. Nawiri aims to support the immediate needs of program participants while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors. The Senior Private Sector Engagement & Financial Inclusion Officer will participate in the daily implementation of the development programming through support of key business partners including commercial banks, MFIs, SACCOs, agro processors, traders, transporters, input sellers, pharmacies, animal and human healthcare providers, consumer goods retailers, and a host of other actors. As capital constraints are important underlying challenges in Turkana/Samburu, financing to avail access to products and services at the household level is critical to grow and to scale business ventures.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Program Management
Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of program activities, ensuring teams and partners activities are on track and in alignment to achieve desired impact; Within Turkana/Samburu, take the lead role in identifying private sector partners and credible financial inclusion services. Work with stakeholders and Mercy Corps technical staff in order to develop potential projects including detailed work plans and business plans. Identify the capacity gaps of financial services actors, design and implement most feasible capacity building activities based on identified gaps and support the delivery of tailored financial services. Conduct light due-diligence on potential partners and support the negotiation process, as requested, in finalizing teaming and partnership agreements. Provide continuous support and oversee activities of the local financial institutions identified for capacity building support. Work closely with all other program teams at local level to identify clients for financial services and to support service extension and financial inclusion as well as development of suitable products and services. Actively participate in the periodic program planning, review and reflection meetings and sessions. Prepare accurate and timely reports and other project documentation and communication that contribute to a learning organization. Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programs and local government bodies to ensure coherent program implementation and to capitalize on business opportunities in Mercy Corps’ target communities. Support research, assessments, evaluations and monitoring surveys in area of operation. This will entail development of Scopes of Work, development of survey tools, trainings and management of data collectors, report write and facilitating results discussion; Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.
COLLABORATION/NETWORKING
Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate including certifying all interventions to adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards; Conduct community mobilization and sensitization meetings that are inclusive and to help prioritize the economic needs of target communities. Support with collaborative partnership with other development partners and identify potential opportunities for linkages Engage and support Nawiri Team with REAP and Ward Development planning as required. Link private sector and financing to REAP participants and Ward Planning Committees. Coordinate activities with international and local NGOs, and private sector businesses, to ensure strong linkages between economic development programs. Work with team leader(s) and Mercy Corps technical staff in order to develop potential projects, implement and closely monitor selected economic development projects including detailed work plans and business plans.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
Assist Field Director coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs Support the facilitation of planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in; Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government departments, NGO’s and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager. Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;
SECURITY
Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members. Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
OTHER
Conduct himself/herself 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.
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Participants and stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility: N/A
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Field Director with a dotted line to the Technical Support team’s Alternative Livelihoods Advisor & Inclusive Markets Advisor
Works Directly With:Technical Advisors/Leads, Learning Coordinators, Gender Officer. M&E Coordinator, field level finance and operations teams,
Minimum qualifications and transferable skills
University degree, preferably in a related field (Business Administration, Economic, Finance) and at least 3 years’ hands on work experience ; Minimum of two to three years working with a formal financial institution with orientation to mass markets or within the private sector is required. Experience with market facilitation, supporting systemic change and promoting
