Détail du poste

The United Nations Development programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in partnership with the Government of Rwanda agreed to implement the programme "Building Inclusive Financial Sectors in Rwanda”. Known as BIFSIR, this Programme is set within the strategic framework of the National Microfinance Strategy (NMS) and aims to contribute to poverty reduction and to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by promoting inclusive finance. Its specific objective is to contribute to capacity building of the various stakeholders at the macro, meso and micro levels, with a view to supporting the development of sustainable, quality and diversified financial services that are accessible to the less advantaged Rwandans, both in rural and in urban areas, and to improving their economic and social status.

Under the administrative supervision of UNDP Country Director or delegated UNDP Resident Representative and the technical supervision of UNCDF Senior Technical Adviser/Head of Regional Office for East and Southern Africa and in close relationships with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the Central Bank of Rwanda, the National Network for Microfinance, the Chief Technical Advisor provides technical leadership and management of the inclusive financial sector programme in the country, including responsibility for managing the project cycle.

The Chief Technical Advisor is responsible for the effective development and execution of the BIFSIR and identification of new investment opportunities in Financial Services Providers (FSPs), and for the support of the implementation of the National Microfinance Strategy in the country to ensure a more inclusive financial sector. At the country level, the Country Advisor supervises two (2) national programme officers and two (2) administrative staff of the national programme i.e. an administrative and financial assistant and a driver.

At the corporate level, the Chief Technical Advisor receives overall technical leadership and policy direction from the Regional Technical Manager keeping him/her apprised of programme opportunities and relationship developments with key stakeholders. The incumbent receives guidance and support from the financial inclusion Portfolio Adviser on portfolio management, including disbursement of resources, financial and performance management and programme coherence at the national level; from the Regional Unit on corporate operational issues; and regarding business development resource mobilization strategies, intelligence and tools.

As the senior inclusive finance advisor in the country, the Chief Technical Advisor serves as technical adviser to the UNDP country office in the area of financial inclusion. The incumbent partners with UNDP practice areas on policy and knowledge-related initiatives in the country and works closely with the UNDP CO to ensure integration of financial inclusion activities into the annual work plan of the UNDP CO and all documents related to the United Nations System assistance framework. The incumbent represents UNCDF and UNDP on financial inclusion policy and programme matters, first and foremost with the governmental bodies, the financial inclusion industry, central banks, donors and other investors. She/he builds strategic partnerships with key donors and investors, promoting the comparative advantages and strategic niches of UNCDF and the financial inclusion line of business, enhancing UNCDF as a preferred partner in the area of financial inclusion and accelerating (non-core) resource mobilization.

• Provides programme management for BIFSIR and support to the regional unit management;
• Provides policy advice strategic leadership, and technical support to effective and innovative strategies for the implementation of the programme, to improve the national strategy and to guide UNDP and UNCDF;
• Applies business development strategy in developing partnerships with the national counterparts (MINECOFIN, BNR, AMIR, BRD/FOREDEM) and other development partners including DfID ,KfW and the World Bank;
• Provides support and inputs to improve portfolio management and planning at national and regional level and contributes to the incorporation of lessons learned from financial inclusion experience in the country;
• Initiates and supports discussions with donors at the field level and liaise with regional office / HQs for the purpose of funding mobilization / partnership development by attracting other donors to join Investment Committee or to coordinate with the Investment Committee decisions;
• Provides substantive inputs into Regional Unit Work Plan and UNCDF Business Plan.

• Masters degree in economics, finance, business or public administration or related field.

• A minimum 10 years experience in Microfinance (in progressively more responsible positions in microfinance and with experience working with the stakeholders including government and with a sector based-approach) and in depth understanding of microfinance sector;
• Experience with similar assignments in similar developing countries, preferably in Africa;
• Demonstrated negotiation and capacity building skills;
• Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource;
• Previous work experience with UN/UNDP-UNCDF is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated experience designing or facilitating professional microfinance training;
• Proven ability to manage diverse and complex tasks;
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills.

•  Fluency in both written and spoken French and English.