Financial Inclusion Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it strives to provide protection and assistance to those who are forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters.

Job Overview:
The Financial Inclusion Officer will play a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's financial inclusion agenda, which aims to enhance access to formal financial products and services for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. This position is vital as it addresses the economic inclusion of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes, enabling them to open bank accounts, receive wages, and access credit. The officer will work closely with field operations to identify intervention areas, enhance the capacity of staff involved in financial inclusion, and assist in raising awareness about financial well-being within the financial community. The role requires a proactive approach to developing partnerships with financial service providers and ensuring that the financial needs of displaced persons are met effectively. The officer will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the outcomes of financial inclusion projects, ensuring that they align with UNHCR's strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Financial Inclusion Officer will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including: supporting the selection of intervention areas for financial inclusion projects, enhancing the capacity of field staff, assisting in the compilation and dissemination of good practices, raising awareness about access to finance, monitoring and reporting on project results, reviewing project proposals, and performing other related duties as required. The officer will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with qualified financial service providers, generating regular monitoring and progress reports, and providing high-quality feedback and recommendations for program improvement. Additionally, the officer will compile lessons learned and knowledge products to share with stakeholders and enhance the capacity of staff and partners in financial inclusion operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or a related field. They should have at least 6 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, 5 years with a Master's degree, or 4 years with a Doctorate degree. Relevant experience refers to professional experience in program management and coordination within the financial inclusion sector. Required experience includes working in microfinance schemes, implementing financial inclusion activities, and providing financial services for forcibly displaced populations. Candidates should also have an understanding of digital financial services in displaced settings and experience in mentoring stakeholders in financial inclusion. Previous experience with UNHCR would be an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of financial inclusion and the socio-economic needs of forcibly displaced persons.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience in the financial inclusion sector. Candidates should have at least 6 years of relevant experience if they hold a Bachelor's degree, 5 years with a Master's degree, or 4 years with a Doctorate degree. This experience should include program management and coordination, particularly in relation to financial inclusion activities and microfinance schemes. Familiarity with digital financial services and experience in capacity building are also important.

Languages:
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages would be considered an asset, particularly languages relevant to the populations served by UNHCR.

Additional Notes:
This position is home-based and does not require functional clearance. It is classified as remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The contract duration is from April 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, and the position is categorized under UNOPS IICA

• The role is designed for a family staff member or affiliate type, and it does not have a hardship level associated with it.