Consultant for Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion in Rural Egypt

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates in multiple countries and aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between genders. The organization is committed to supporting the implementation of international and national commitments related to gender equality, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). UN Women has a significant presence in Egypt, aligning its work with the country’s Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women (NSEEW).

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of microfinance associations in Egypt, particularly in the context of the 'Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion in Rural Egypt' programme. This initiative aims to empower rural women economically by facilitating access to financial services and promoting their participation in Savings Groups. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Egypt and local microfinance institutions, to design gender-themed financial products that cater to the needs of women involved in the Tahwisha programme. The primary objective is to integrate financially marginalized women into the formal economy and improve their financial literacy and capabilities. The consultant will also be responsible for conducting outreach, capacity-building workshops, and providing coaching to microfinance institutions to ensure they can effectively serve the target demographic.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct discussions with Tahwisha facilitators to assess the financial needs of Savings Group members.
• Develop an outreach plan targeting potential microfinance institutions (MFIs) and business associations.
• Organize capacity-building workshops for MFIs focused on gender-themed financial products.
• Create a workplan for MFIs to connect with Tahwisha facilitators and extend services to the target segment.
• Provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring to interested MFIs, ensuring at least 3-5 MFIs are engaged in the governorates of focus.
• Collect monitoring and evaluation data from the field, including attendance records and training evaluations.
• Carry out additional tasks as needed to ensure sustainable impact and integration of women into the financial market.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in finance, social sciences, economics, gender development studies, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in microfinance, including training skills, is required.
• Familiarity with gender issues and development challenges in rural Egypt is essential.
• Proven ability to collaborate with government partners, NGOs, MFIs, and community stakeholders is required.
• Strong analytical skills and a results-driven approach are advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in relevant fields such as finance, social sciences, economics, or gender development studies. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender equality and economic empowerment in the context of rural Egypt.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of microfinance, with a strong emphasis on training and capacity building. Candidates should have a solid understanding of gender equality issues and the socio-economic challenges faced by women in rural areas of Egypt. Experience working with various stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and microfinance institutions, is essential. The ability to work independently and demonstrate excellent analytical skills is also important for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional UN official languages, particularly French, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with potential travel to various governorates in Egypt, including Assiut, Beni-Suef, Sohag, Beheira, Kafr Elsheikh, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Minya, and Gharbia. The consultant will report to the Programme Analyst(s) at UN Women and will be supported by a Programme Assistant for contract and payment issues. The position is focused on facilitating financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women, aligning with the broader goals of the UN Women Egypt Country Office.