Financial Inclusion Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to disasters and hardships, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, partnering with communities to implement bold solutions that help individuals overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. The organization is committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and enhancing their resilience through innovative programs and partnerships.

Job Overview:
The consultancy roster aims to create a pool of experienced Financial Inclusion (FI) consultants who will provide high-quality technical support across various market systems and financial sector development programs. The consultants will be engaged by country teams, regional teams, and headquarters to fill short-term technical gaps in financial inclusion programming. Assignments may include remote diagnostic research, proposal development, design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design support, and in-country deployment for financial sector assessments and technical assistance to partner financial institutions. The overarching goal is to strengthen the technical quality and contextual relevance of financial inclusion programming across Mercy Corps’ portfolio, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, commercially viable, and responsive to the needs of underserved populations, including women, youth, and conflict-affected communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will engage in a variety of activities, including leading or supporting financial sector diagnostic studies, conducting demand-side assessments, mapping unmet financing needs, evaluating the enabling environment for financial inclusion, and producing evidence-based assessment reports. They will also support or lead the development of high-quality financial inclusion proposals, serve as Technical Lead for financial inclusion components, and assist country teams in developing strategic access to finance roadmaps. Additionally, the Consultant will provide technical assistance to partner financial institutions, design and deliver training on financial topics, and review existing blended finance mechanisms. They will analyze financial barriers facing marginalized groups and ensure that financial services are accessible and appropriate for these populations. The Consultant will also represent Mercy Corps in financial sector coordination mechanisms and document lessons learned from financial inclusion programming.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree or equivalent professional experience in finance, economics, international development, or a related field. They should have 7–10+ years of experience in financial inclusion and financial sector development, including direct field-based program experience. Familiarity with digital financial services and agent banking in low-income markets is essential. Candidates should demonstrate experience in conducting financial sector diagnostics, designing financial products, and delivering technical assistance to financial institutions. Strong proposal development skills and the ability to translate analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">technical analysis into actionable recommendations are also required. Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills are necessary, along with a willingness to travel and work in complex environments.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in finance, economics, international development, or a related field is required. Equivalent professional experience may also be considered in lieu of a formal degree. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in financial principles and practices relevant to financial inclusion and market systems development.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7–10 years of relevant experience in financial inclusion and financial sector development. This experience should include direct field-based program work, familiarity with digital financial services, and a proven track record in conducting financial sector diagnostics and implementing financial products. Experience in delivering technical assistance and training to financial institutions is also essential, as is the ability to work across multiple geographic regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages such as French, Arabic, Portuguese, and/or Spanish is preferred and would be considered an asset, enhancing the Consultant's ability to engage with diverse populations and stakeholders in various regions.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy assignments may vary in duration, ranging from short-term inputs of 5–15 days to longer engagements of up to 2–3 months, depending on the complexity of the assignment. The level of effort may be full-time or part-time, and assignments can be conducted remotely or in-country. Travel to low-amenity or insecure environments may be required for field-based assignments. Consultants will report to a designated program manager or technical lead and are expected to work collaboratively with country teams and the Technical Support, Evidence & Program Quality (TEQ) Economic Opportunities/Financial Inclusion team.