Financial Inclusion Consultant - Women for Women International - United States

In countries affected by conflict and war, Women for Women International supports the most marginalized women to earn and save money, improve health and well-being, influence decisions in their home and community, and connect to networks for support. By utilizing skills, knowledge, and resources, she is able to create sustainable change for herself, her family, and community.

Since 1993, Women for Women International has served more than 447,000 women in 8 conflict-affected countries, including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Sudan.

Financial Inclusion Overview

Economically disadvantaged women, who are the heart of Women for Women International’s (WfWI) programming, are often the least served by financial institutions. Yet, compelling evidence indicates that women with access to financial products and services are more likely to start businesses, plan for major life events more effectively and keep children in school and with a broader impact on women’s economic empowerment. ( http://www.uncdf.org/en/womens-empowerment ). Different studies globally show that “Bank account usage is a leading indicator of financial inclusion and saving improves confidence, decision-making power in the household, purchasing power and reduces vulnerability”. ( Promoting Women’s Financial Inclusion , GIZ, December 2012). “Branchless banking at post offices, small shops and gas stations and mobile banking though cell phones offer opportunities to reduce barriers to the traditional banking system. Credit is an important tool in financing women’s business, in particular credit products that address collateral requirements and other specific needs of poor women”. Micro insurance, especially related to health, effects of weather, and credit life (loan repayment for deceased borrowers) are important tools in helping women cope with shocks such as medical emergencies that can perpetuate the cycle of poverty. ( Small premiums, long-term benefits: Why poor women need micro insurance , International Labour Organization, August 2010).

Achievements

Women for Women International’s program includes a $10 monthly stipend to each participant during the 12-month training period. This cash transfer is an important motivating factor to encourage bank account usage and increase women’s bargaining power in the household. WfWI has made progress in expanding access to savings by facilitating bank accounts opening and usage for all program participants in Nigeria and Rwanda, and smaller numbers in Kosovo and the DRC. In 2015, WfWI piloted VSLAs in all four Africa country offices and developed a new approach to supporting self-help groups in Afghanistan. In nearly all the countries where it works, WfWI links women to microcredit through partners and encourages women to participate in informal savings groups (e.g. SHG, cooperatives) wherever these are the norm and applicable, although the linkages are not formalized. In Rwanda, WfWI assists all participants to register for health insurance mandated by the government.

Opportunities

With a global pool of 20,000 potential new financial service customers each year, WfWI believes there is significant opportunity to expand women’s access to savings, credit and insurance as a critical element of the organization’s holistic empowerment tools. WfWI is expanding different pathways toward increasing financial inclusion for the women it serves.

Responsibilities:
Purpose of Consultancy

WfWI is seeking a short-term consultant to support the continued improvement of WfWI’s financial inclusion work with marginalized and conflict-affected women in our target countries. To do this, the consultant will engage with country office, HQ and UK to undertake the following tasks: Collect detailed information for each country on access to financial services for program participants; Assess what products poor women in conflict-affected countries mostly use, including post-intervention/graduation (bank accounts, VSLAs, ASCAs, etc.); Assess both supply and demand side constraints that could be addressed by WfWI in collaboration with others (financial partners, mobile banking, governments, etc.); Analyze critical remaining questions around Savings Groups – how to best integrate them into WfWI’s work, ideal timing for savings group orientation, pros/cons of self-selected groups, village agent, linkages to formal FI’s, etc.; Determine focus areas for each country based on information collected; Use results of country-level analysis to contribute to WfWI’s global WEE strategy, especially around savings mechanisms; Support development of country- and global-level strategies to monitor and assess different approaches to financial inclusion that WfWI can take forward; Work with MRE team to assess potential indicators to track financial inclusion across all of WfWI’s work and targets for financial inclusion; Assess partnership opportunities by understanding current collaborations, relevant new stakeholders and engaging in discussions with potential partners, such as Women’s World Banking, on a global level; and Develop funding pitches for donors based on this work.

Deliverables Initial report on findings including review of current financial inclusion activities, summary notes from facilitated conversations with country office staff, etc. One to two external-facing communications document on WfWI’s successes and lessons learned based on financial inclusion work to date Proposed logframe(s), indicators, and data collection tools for financial inclusion work Three funding pitches for financial inclusion work (with basic proposal for activities, staffing needs, etc.) Final report of findings and recommendations for critical choices for WfWI

Timeframe

The consultancy should begin in August/September 2016 and will be approximately three months, based on successful achievement of key milestones and delivery of deliverables. The consultant is not expected to work full-time and should propose workplan/timeline to compete deliverables.

Location

This position can be based in any location. The bulk of the work can be done remotely, with information collected via Skype, email, etc. The consultancy will report to the Director of Program Design and Development in the Washington, DC headquarters. Travel to one or several of WfWI’s other Country Offices is probable. Travel costs are paid on a reimbursable basis.

Collaboration with WfWI Staff

As much of this work will depend on a developing an understanding of WfWI’s mission, niche, current activities, operating model and fundraising potential, the consultant will work with individuals across the organization including HQ, our UK office, and Country teams.

Qualifications:
Required Skills & Qualifications Minimum Master’s degree, in international development, economics or related field; Minimum eight (8) years of relevant work experience in women’s economic empowerment, with emphasis on grassroots development; Minimum four years work experience in conflict impacted countries; Working experience in any WfWI country preferable; Extensive experience in programs related to economic development, financial inclusion, microfinance, graduation models, social protection, etc. required; Demonstrated knowledge of relevant social development issues such as women’s rights and empowerment, gender and conflict; Demonstrated skills in program design, planning, budgeting and implementation; Successful at establishing relationships, building trust, and inspiring others; Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of other local languages would be an advantage; Ability to quickly incorporate feedback and respond to deadlines and requests; Demonstrated initiative, problem solving and judgement skills, positive attitude; Commitment and respect for Women for Women International’s mission and values; and Strong computer skills in MS Word, Excel, internet, email applications.