Consultant on Financial Inclusion in the Handicraft Sector

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations established in 197

• Its mission is to promote economic and social development in the Arab region through regional cooperation and integration. ESCWA works with member states to formulate policies and strategies that address the challenges faced by the region, focusing on sustainable development, social justice, and economic growth. The organization operates in 22 member countries and employs a diverse team of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Arab world. ESCWA's initiatives are aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to leave no one behind and ensure inclusive growth for all.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide strategic advice and technical support to enhance financial inclusion for underserved groups in Egypt, particularly within the handicraft sector. The consultant will play a crucial role in synthesizing lessons learned and developing scalable approaches to inform financial inclusion initiatives across various underserved groups and other ESCWA member states. The role involves conducting a scoping study, facilitating national multistakeholder consultations, and developing actionable measures to promote financial inclusion. The consultant will work closely with ESCWA to assess barriers to financial inclusion, design and validate questionnaires, analyze data, and develop reports summarizing findings and recommendations. The overarching goal is to empower vulnerable populations, foster entrepreneurship, and promote sustainable development through improved access to financial services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess key barriers to financial inclusion within the handicraft sector in Egypt by designing a structured questionnaire targeting workers in the sector. This includes conducting background research, integrating behavioral science approaches, and ensuring data disaggregation by various demographics.
• Support a pilot survey run by ESCWA, analyze the collected data, and develop a report summarizing key findings and recommendations for the questionnaire.
• Organize a national multistakeholder consultation focused on financial inclusion, contributing to the design, securing stakeholder participation, and summarizing consultation outcomes.
• Develop an action plan to enhance financial inclusion in the handicraft sector, synthesizing findings from the pilot survey and consultation, and identifying gaps and opportunities for policy reform.
• Create a roadmap for scaling and replication of financial inclusion initiatives in other countries, identifying common barriers and opportunities faced by underserved groups.
• Maintain regular communication with ESCWA through emails, phone calls, and virtual meetings, providing updates on progress and submitting deliverables as per the agreed timeline.

Required Qualifications:
A post-graduate university degree in economics, finance, international development, behavioral science, public policies, or a related field is required. Candidates must demonstrate at least 10 years of professional experience in financial inclusion, development research, or policy analysis. Proven experience in designing and implementing surveys and facilitating multistakeholder consultations is essential. Familiarity with underserved sectors, particularly the handicraft sector and MSMEs in the Arab region, is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related areas is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a post-graduate university degree in a relevant field such as economics, finance, international development, behavioral science, or public policies. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of financial inclusion and the socio-economic factors affecting underserved populations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional work experience in areas related to financial inclusion, development research, or policy analysis. Candidates should have a strong track record of designing and implementing surveys, as well as organizing and facilitating consultations or workshops that engage multiple stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this consultancy role. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, while Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. Fluency means being rated as 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 3 months and will be conducted remotely. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or bank account details.