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

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to supporting the implementation of international and national commitments related to gender equality and women's empowerment, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to enhance the efficiency of microfinance associations operating in the Egyptian market, particularly in the context of the 'Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion in Rural Egypt' programme. This initiative is aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women (NSEEW). The consultant will work closely with the Central Bank of Egypt, the Financial Regulatory Authority, and the Egyptian Federation for Financing Medium, Small and Micro Projects to build the institutional capacities of microfinance associations. This will enable them to provide financial services to marginalized groups, particularly women involved in Savings Groups (SGs) under the 'Tahwisha' programme. The consultant will be responsible for designing gender-themed financial products that meet the needs of these women and facilitate their integration into the formal economy. The role requires a deep understanding of the financial needs of rural women and the ability to foster partnerships between various stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and microfinance institutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct discussions with Tahwisha facilitators to map the financial needs of Savings Groups members beyond the Tahwisha programme.
• Design an outreach plan targeting potential microfinance institutions (MFIs) and business associations to promote gender-themed financial products.
• Organize capacity-building workshops for MFIs to enhance their understanding of the needs of Tahwisha saving groups.
• Develop a workplan for MFIs to connect with Tahwisha facilitators and extend services to the target segment.
• Provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring to MFIs committed to supporting the cause of women's financial inclusion.
• Collect monitoring and evaluation data from the field, including attendance records and post-training evaluations.
• Carry out additional tasks as needed to ensure sustainable impact and successful implementation of the programme.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in finance, social sciences, economics, gender development studies, or other relevant fields 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 work collaboratively with government partners, NGOs, microfinance institutions, and community stakeholders is required.
• Strong analytical skills and a results-driven approach are highly desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent 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 qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of financial inclusion and gender empowerment in rural contexts.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of microfinance, with a strong emphasis on training and capacity building. Candidates should have a solid understanding of gender equality and women's economic empowerment issues, particularly in the context of rural areas in Egypt. Experience working with government entities, NGOs, and microfinance institutions is essential, as is the ability to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and a strong drive for results.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position. Knowledge of any other UN official language, particularly French, is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for the successful implementation of the programme.

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 position is focused on facilitating linkages between women members of the Tahwisha programme and local microfinance institutions, with an emphasis on creating gender-themed financial products that cater to the specific needs of these women. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations.