Organization For Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) is an Ethiopian Residents Charity organization registered in FDRE Charities and Societies Agency with Certificate No. 0421 and operating in Somali Regional State since 1999 GC. OWDA would like to announce the vacancy of the following position. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the specifications and the requirements of the following positions and hence apply for it before the deadline.

About Job

Organization for welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) is seeking to hire an experienced financial inclusion officer who will be based in Gode woreda of Shebele Zone Somali Region. The Financial Inclusion Officer will be responsible for the implementation of strengthening access to improved financial services layering while ensuring that the program deliverables are achieved. The Officer will ensure that private sector led, project-support development is tailored to the unique needs, opportunities and constraints of women and youth and that activities are integrated with all other consortium supported sectors.

Main Responsibilities

• Build the capacity of, and continuously mentor the Field Agents (FAs) and Private Service Providers (PSPs) to continue offering quality financial services to the VSLA groups
• Support linkages of VSLA groups to formal financial institutions (FIs) to access more tailor-made financial products and services.
• Link the PSPs to formal financial institutions so that they (PSPs) can become the agents or outreach points for the FIs
• Support VSLA groups attain legal status by registering at the district level.
• Support VSLA groups in developing their business plans for investment purpose.
• Foster ongoing positive cooperation with relevant stakeholders including FIs and the local government to identify, assess and develop networks for potential linkages between financial market actors and consumers.
• Support the creation and registration of the private service provider network at the district and field agent certification/ graduation to scale up VSLA in the program area as guided by the supervisor
• Respond to queries, when necessary, by ensuring that the community accountability response mechanism (CARM) is functional and individual complaints are addressed.
• Ensure Financial Inclusion activities are gender and youth sensitive with a focus on building resilience in vulnerable populations

Place of Work: Gode/East Imay

Duration of Contract: 9 months with possibility of extension

Reports to: Project coordinator

Job Requirements

Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• The ideal candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in business, agribusiness, agriculture, economic development, or other relevant fields required.
• Background in business or market/economic development, with minimum of 3 years’ practical experience in the private sector, NGO working with Private Sector or related
• At least 3 – 4 years of experience designing, implementing and managing financial inclusion and strengthening initiatives (private sector partnership, economic strengthening, and market systems development) is required.
• Somali Language is compulsory and Excellent (English) verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office
• Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating
• Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely