Financial Inclusion Specialist

CBM Global Nepal Country Office seeks application from qualified and competent candidates for the position of Financial Inclusion Specialist for Financial Autonomy and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities through Agriculture 2 (FAIDA 2) Project.

Job Overview and Core Purpose

The Financial Inclusion Specialist is responsible to oversee, and deliver some of, the advocacy and technical advice (supply-side) components of the project, which focuses on financial inclusion of the persons with disabilities. On the demand-side, s/he oversees design of the financial literacy work package, takes responsibility for technical aspects of the project (e.g. design IEC materials), and builds capacity of the project staff, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Banking and Financial Institutes (BFIs) on financial inclusion.

The incumbent coordinates with BFIs at central level and field location to promote inclusive and accessible financial services targeted at persons with disabilities. S/he works closely with OPDs and the project team to identify barriers in the existing financial services and generate evidence from the field programme implementation to support advocacy efforts with BFIs.

Reports To: Project Manager - FAIDA2

Based: CBM Global Nepal Country Office, Sanepa, Lalitpur with 40% dedicated time in the field project office, Chitwan.

Contract: Fixed term contract

Timeframe: Till July 2028

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Planning and Development

• Oversee the planning and implementation of financial inclusion aspects of the project.
• Work within the framework of the project Activity Plan, Log frame and Budget towards achieving project outcomes; being responsible for monitoring relevant activities, targets (including data collection) and budget lines in close coordination with the Project Manager, Disability Inclusion Advisor and MEAL person, ensuring alignment with the other project activities.
• In collaboration with project partners and other stakeholders, including OPDs, identify the existing barriers for persons with disabilities to access financial services in Nepal, especially in Chitwan District.
• Conduct mapping of potential strategic partners - having financial inclusion as a key thematic area - at federal, provincial and local levels; this also includes the private sector and financial institutions. 
• Lead the coordination and collaboration with the identified strategic partners, as well as project delivery partners on all the aspects of financial inclusion of the project.
• Review the existing policies and frameworks governing BFIs and develop recommendations to make them disability inclusive.
• Develop or/and review advocacy tools to be used by the implementing partners to promote financial inclusion.
• Liaise with Banking and Financial Institutions (BFIs), including the Central Bank of Nepal, to promote disability inclusive policies and guidelines and offer support to enhance the accessibility of financial services.

2. Developing Tools and Guidelines 

• Identify educational content required to be responsive to digital finance and other financial inclusion efforts.
• Support the development of up-to-date, digital knowledge products that promote financial inclusion. 
• Develop tools and methods for youth-friendly and accessible financial services. 
• Develop guidelines for collaborating with the central bank and financial institutions (e.g., value proposition, process and steps, tips, case studies, models, best practices).
• Document case studies e.g. on partnership with local government and other stakeholders to promote financial inclusion for persons with disabilities.

3. Capacity Building

• Develop and deliver training for the project team and partners on financial inclusion approaches, tools and services, and build partners’ capacity based on the gaps identified. 
• Educate the target population on financial management, budgeting, savings, credit use, and other key financial concepts to empower them to make informed financial decisions.
• Support the project team and implementing partners in promoting financial inclusion for the target population.
• Work with financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and community groups to create partnerships that facilitate the delivery of inclusive financial services and support the development of inclusive financial policies.
• Provide opportunities for networking and exchange of learning among key stakeholders and document those learnings.

4. Awareness Raising and Communication

• Raise awareness on financial inclusion among key stakeholders.
• Identify delivery channels for advocacy on financial inclusion (International Day of Persons with disabilities, World Savings Day).
• Elaborate key messages at different levels (supply, policy, and demand) to promote financial inclusion and work with the project team to develop communications material and social media kit to promote financial inclusion.
• Develop project specific learning documents, case stories, etc.
• Keep the project team informed about the ongoing and future initiatives of BFI including the Central Bank with the aim of contributing to these.
• Support OPD partners to carry out the advocacy with BFIs to promote accessibility and inclusion in the financial service delivery.

5. Report Writing:

• Produce relevant reports, ensuring that the technical information provided is of high quality and accuracy and that the internal information is kept confidential as required.
• Ensure report quality by coordinating with the Project Delivery team for further review and inputs. Reporting planning needs to consider the external deadlines and leave and holiday plans of the relevant staff.
• Communicate systematically to the line manager and other project stakeholders on project progress and planning.
• Assess the effectiveness of financial inclusion initiatives, using data and feedback, to continually improve the project and demonstrate its impact on the target populations.
• Generate evidence from the field about the accessibility status of financial services to the persons with disabilities and share with the concerned stakeholders and the project team to facilitate their advocacy efforts.

6. Humanitarian Action:

• In case of Emergency in the country and requirement of the organization you should be flexible to deploy in the emergency response management initiatives as per the requirement of the organization.

7. Safeguarding:

• Accountable for ensuring that all children and adults who encounter with CBM’s programmes, are safeguarded to the greatest extent possible.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance to all aspects of the CBMG Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, abuse and harassment policies and associated standards and procedures.
• Promote safeguarding among partners and ensure safeguarding is embedded in all stages of project cycle management.

Key outcomes expected from this role

1. Financial Inclusion is well understood by the project team, including implementing partners, and reflected in the project delivery.
2. Financial Inclusion related communications materials developed and disseminated among the concerned stakeholders.
3. Appropriate tools and guidelines in place to promote financial literacy and financial inclusion activities. 
4. Relationships developed and maintained with the key financial stakeholders, including the central bank and corporate sector leading to enhanced understanding of financial inclusion and accessibility among BFIs and other stakeholders.
5. Inclusion and accessibility of financial service delivery in Chitwan and the country in general, enhanced.

Person Specification

All the following requirements are Essential, unless marked with a * when they are Desirable.

Experience and knowledge

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in project management, especially in managing complex livelihood projects in I/NGOs.
• Desirable expertise in Financial Inclusion. *
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the financial sector in Nepal.
• Good understanding of BFIs and their service delivery system in Nepal.
• A good track record of working with financial stakeholders at the federal level.
• Knowledge of financial policies and guidelines governing BFIs.
• Knowledge of national frameworks on financial inclusion.
• Understanding of inclusion in the community setting.
• Experience in delivering finance skills training to community members and others.

Skills/competencies/personal qualities

• Good communication skills in English (oral & written).
• Demonstrated networking and coordination skills.
• Ability to analyse data and information critically.
• Flexible approach to work demands.
• Ability to work in teams and collaborate with staff at all levels.
• Willingness to learn, change and adapt.
• Well organized with the ability to multitask.
• Self-professional management skill and ability to work with little supervision.
• Practical computer and IT skills (Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet).
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Commitment to abide by and display CBM core values in all aspects of work
• Knowledge of disability related issues will be an asset*

Qualifications, training, and education

A relevant academic qualification: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Business Studies, Finance, Economic Development, or any other most relevant field.

How to apply:

Closing Date: The candidates will be assessed on a rolling basis. The vacancy will be closed once the appropriate candidate is identified.

Please follow this LINK to apply.

Please download the Application Form using the link above. Once completed, kindly upload it to the system along with your updated Curriculum Vitae (no more than two pages). There is space on the Application Form to include a cover letter, so there is no need to provide a separate cover letter.

For any queries or confusion, please write to recruitment.nepal@cbm-global.org

CBM Global is an equal opportunities employer, committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly.

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. People with disability, women, and candidates from marginalized groups are highly encouraged to apply.

We promote an inclusive and accessible work environment that supports all staff to thrive, with provision of reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities, where needed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Telephone inquiries will not be entertained.