MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist
2025-04-17T07:53:02+00:00
UNDP
https://www.greatugandajobs.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_681/logo/UNDP.png
www.undp.org
FULL_TIME
kampala
Kampala
00256
Uganda
Business Management and Administration
Admin & Office
2025-04-29T17:00:00+00:00
Uganda
8
Duties and Responsibilities
The MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist will primarily provide technical expertise to the FinWise project in Uganda - in the field of inclusive finance and fintech, driving novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
The MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist will work to accelerate the market for innovative digital-led financing of MSMEs, including private sector innovation (financial service providers, digital platform providers, BDS providers, fund managers), MSME digitization as an enabler for business growth and unlocking finance, ecosystem convening and capacity building of key market actors - including industry associations and policy-makers and regulators. Through leading project implementation, the technical specialist will spearhead knowledge generation, learning and thought leadership efforts of the Uganda country team on matters of data-driven MSME financing – and how it applies to major segments of interest like youth financing, women financing, farmer financing, and refugee financing.
This position will be based in the UNCDF Country Office in Kampala, Uganda with regular travel within the country.
1. Serve as the technical subject matter lead to the Uganda FinWise programme - in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech and the ability of these novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
- Take lead in the commissioning and implementing of research, market scoping and assessments to inform project design and implementation, and to assess market impact of its project interventions;
- Design projects, lead pilot and scale implementations of projects on inclusive MSME finance and fintech;
- Provide inputs to technical documents or presentations to private / public sector convening’s (forums), development partners, donors and other stakeholders on matters of inclusive MSME finance and fintech;
- Supports the development and implementation of the programme / project results measurement framework;
- Keep abreast of emerging trends and business models in the region and beyond in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech – as part of efforts to benchmark and catalyze growth of the Ugandan market;
- Provide technical expertise to the programme’s fundraising efforts, including drafting of concept notes, funding proposals, and donor presentations;
- Represent the programme on various ecosystem and industry technical working groups, and other fora with the objective of building thought leadership around MSME innovative finance;
- Take lead in the organization of learning and experience-sharing opportunities ecosystem partners and relevant stakeholders, including government officials (policy makers and regulators), private sector players, industry associations, etc.);With the support of the UNCDF’s policy experts, advise the government in creating a more enabling environment for the growth of alternative financing models for MSMEs in Uganda.
2. Manage project portfolio and supervise project team: Supervise a team of project technical analysts that directly oversee projects, including the digital and fintech finance analyst, innovative finance analyst, Ag-finance analyst and the Gender analyst – ensuring achievement of project outreach and impact objectives.
- Oversee the implementation of a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are delivering on expected results, impact, and are on time and on budget;
- Manage and empower the team of technical analysists with technical, investment, communication, and administrative skills;
- Ensure proper staffing, planning, prioritization, provide advice and assistance as required, and ensure compliance with UNCDF policies and procedures related to programme/ project implementation;
- Support drafting of investment memos to be presented to the Project Board and UNCDF Investment Committee;
- Through the project technical analysts, and in collaboration with the results measurement team, ensure the proper monitoring and reporting of project activities and program milestones. This includes quality and timely reporting to donors;
- Manage project implementation related risks, including the development of contingency plans;
- Lead project management meetings with responsible partners, grantees, stakeholders.
3. Leads all technical assistance work towards investees, grantees, responsible parties, ecosystem partners
- Support in the selection process and contracting of the right calibre of investees, grantees, responsible parties – with the aim of delivering on programmatic impact;
- Draft technical terms of reference for consultants to support partners, provide all technical inputs for procurement, drafting TORs and reviewing and evaluating technical proposals;
- Provide technical assistance to a portfolio of companies to improve their market offerings/ value proposition to the programme’s market (supply side), and investment readiness (demand side).
4. Works with the knowledge management, and impact measurement team to capture and disseminate knowledge generated from project implementation
- Generate, facilitate, and disseminate research and information sharing to ensure stakeholders are informed on current trends, best practices, market conditions, and special topics as needed;
- Consolidate knowledge/lessons learned and disseminate good practices;
- Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders for research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches in the field of inclusive digital financing and fintech;
- Conduct workshops and other convenings on innovation in the supply of digital financial products;
- Identify and recommend learning, training, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for staff, partners and key stakeholders;
- Review & respond to partner reports, ensuring partners are reporting accurately on activities/initiatives.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3
Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3:
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management: Results Based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organisation’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
Business Management: Partnership Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNCDF processes and policies.
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Business Management: Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness
- Project Quality Assurance
Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements:
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, renewable energy development, technology or a related discipline or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience:
- A minimum of 5 (five) years (with master’s degree) or 7 (seven) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing programmes or projects related to innovative access to financial services for MSMEs and Fintechs in East and Southern Africa countries.
Required skills:
- Proven experience in structured finance.
- Proven technical knowledge and deep understanding of innovative approaches to effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
- Demonstrated expertise in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organizations, as well as government bodies, to build partnerships and manage external relations.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Expertise in designing and delivering business development support services and technical assistance for private sector growth with a focus on MSMEs and Fintechs.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of gender equity and social inclusion, with the ability to lead investments (grants and loans) and ensure adherence to social and environmental standards.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively lead a diverse technical team and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and concisely.
Required Language(s):
Full fluency in written and spoken English is required.
. Serve as the technical subject matter lead to the Uganda FinWise programme - in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech and the ability of these novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale. Take lead in the commissioning and implementing of research, market scoping and assessments to inform project design and implementation, and to assess market impact of its project interventions; Design projects, lead pilot and scale implementations of projects on inclusive MSME finance and fintech; Provide inputs to technical documents or presentations to private / public sector convening’s (forums), development partners, donors and other stakeholders on matters of inclusive MSME finance and fintech; Supports the development and implementation of the programme / project results measurement framework; Keep abreast of emerging trends and business models in the region and beyond in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech – as part of efforts to benchmark and catalyze growth of the Ugandan market; Provide technical expertise to the programme’s fundraising efforts, including drafting of concept notes, funding proposals, and donor presentations; Represent the programme on various ecosystem and industry technical working groups, and other fora with the objective of building thought leadership around MSME innovative finance; Take lead in the organization of learning and experience-sharing opportunities ecosystem partners and relevant stakeholders, including government officials (policy makers and regulators), private sector players, industry associations, etc.);With the support of the UNCDF’s policy experts, advise the government in creating a more enabling environment for the growth of alternative financing models for MSMEs in Uganda. 2. Manage project portfolio and supervise project team: Supervise a team of project technical analysts that directly oversee projects, including the digital and fintech finance analyst, innovative finance analyst, Ag-finance analyst and the Gender analyst – ensuring achievement of project outreach and impact objectives. Oversee the implementation of a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are delivering on expected results, impact, and are on time and on budget; Manage and empower the team of technical analysists with technical, investment, communication, and administrative skills; Ensure proper staffing, planning, prioritization, provide advice and assistance as required, and ensure compliance with UNCDF policies and procedures related to programme/ project implementation; Support drafting of investment memos to be presented to the Project Board and UNCDF Investment Committee; Through the project technical analysts, and in collaboration with the results measurement team, ensure the proper monitoring and reporting of project activities and program milestones. This includes quality and timely reporting to donors; Manage project implementation related risks, including the development of contingency plans; Lead project management meetings with responsible partners, grantees, stakeholders. 3. Leads all technical assistance work towards investees, grantees, responsible parties, ecosystem partners Support in the selection process and contracting of the right calibre of investees, grantees, responsible parties – with the aim of delivering on programmatic impact; Draft technical terms of reference for consultants to support partners, provide all technical inputs for procurement, drafting TORs and reviewing and evaluating technical proposals; Provide technical assistance to a portfolio of companies to improve their market offerings/ value proposition to the programme’s market (supply side), and investment readiness (demand side). 4. Works with the knowledge management, and impact measurement team to capture and disseminate knowledge generated from project implementation Generate, facilitate, and disseminate research and information sharing to ensure stakeholders are informed on current trends, best practices, market conditions, and special topics as needed; Consolidate knowledge/lessons learned and disseminate good practices; Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders for research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches in the field of inclusive digital financing and fintech; Conduct workshops and other convenings on innovation in the supply of digital financial products; Identify and recommend learning, training, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for staff, partners and key stakeholders; Review & respond to partner reports, ensuring partners are reporting accurately on activities/initiatives. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Proven experience in structured finance. Proven technical knowledge and deep understanding of innovative approaches to effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale. Demonstrated expertise in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organizations, as well as government bodies, to build partnerships and manage external relations. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section: Expertise in designing and delivering business development support services and technical assistance for private sector growth with a focus on MSMEs and Fintechs. Strong knowledge and understanding of gender equity and social inclusion, with the ability to lead investments (grants and loans) and ensure adherence to social and environmental standards. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively lead a diverse technical team and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and concisely.
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, renewable energy development, technology or a related discipline or related field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Min. years of relevant work experience: A minimum of 5 (five) years (with master’s degree) or 7 (seven) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing programmes or projects related to innovative access to financial services for MSMEs and Fintechs in East and Southern Africa countries.
JOB-6800b35e07b9c
Vacancy title:
MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Business Management and Administration, Category: Admin & Office]
Jobs at:
UNDP
Deadline of this Job:
Tuesday, April 29 2025
Duty Station:
kampala | Kampala | Uganda
Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, April 17 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
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JOB DETAILS:
Duties and Responsibilities
The MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist will primarily provide technical expertise to the FinWise project in Uganda - in the field of inclusive finance and fintech, driving novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
The MSME and Fintech Financing Specialist will work to accelerate the market for innovative digital-led financing of MSMEs, including private sector innovation (financial service providers, digital platform providers, BDS providers, fund managers), MSME digitization as an enabler for business growth and unlocking finance, ecosystem convening and capacity building of key market actors - including industry associations and policy-makers and regulators. Through leading project implementation, the technical specialist will spearhead knowledge generation, learning and thought leadership efforts of the Uganda country team on matters of data-driven MSME financing – and how it applies to major segments of interest like youth financing, women financing, farmer financing, and refugee financing.
This position will be based in the UNCDF Country Office in Kampala, Uganda with regular travel within the country.
1. Serve as the technical subject matter lead to the Uganda FinWise programme - in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech and the ability of these novel approaches to cost effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
- Take lead in the commissioning and implementing of research, market scoping and assessments to inform project design and implementation, and to assess market impact of its project interventions;
- Design projects, lead pilot and scale implementations of projects on inclusive MSME finance and fintech;
- Provide inputs to technical documents or presentations to private / public sector convening’s (forums), development partners, donors and other stakeholders on matters of inclusive MSME finance and fintech;
- Supports the development and implementation of the programme / project results measurement framework;
- Keep abreast of emerging trends and business models in the region and beyond in the field of inclusive MSME finance and fintech – as part of efforts to benchmark and catalyze growth of the Ugandan market;
- Provide technical expertise to the programme’s fundraising efforts, including drafting of concept notes, funding proposals, and donor presentations;
- Represent the programme on various ecosystem and industry technical working groups, and other fora with the objective of building thought leadership around MSME innovative finance;
- Take lead in the organization of learning and experience-sharing opportunities ecosystem partners and relevant stakeholders, including government officials (policy makers and regulators), private sector players, industry associations, etc.);With the support of the UNCDF’s policy experts, advise the government in creating a more enabling environment for the growth of alternative financing models for MSMEs in Uganda.
2. Manage project portfolio and supervise project team: Supervise a team of project technical analysts that directly oversee projects, including the digital and fintech finance analyst, innovative finance analyst, Ag-finance analyst and the Gender analyst – ensuring achievement of project outreach and impact objectives.
- Oversee the implementation of a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are delivering on expected results, impact, and are on time and on budget;
- Manage and empower the team of technical analysists with technical, investment, communication, and administrative skills;
- Ensure proper staffing, planning, prioritization, provide advice and assistance as required, and ensure compliance with UNCDF policies and procedures related to programme/ project implementation;
- Support drafting of investment memos to be presented to the Project Board and UNCDF Investment Committee;
- Through the project technical analysts, and in collaboration with the results measurement team, ensure the proper monitoring and reporting of project activities and program milestones. This includes quality and timely reporting to donors;
- Manage project implementation related risks, including the development of contingency plans;
- Lead project management meetings with responsible partners, grantees, stakeholders.
3. Leads all technical assistance work towards investees, grantees, responsible parties, ecosystem partners
- Support in the selection process and contracting of the right calibre of investees, grantees, responsible parties – with the aim of delivering on programmatic impact;
- Draft technical terms of reference for consultants to support partners, provide all technical inputs for procurement, drafting TORs and reviewing and evaluating technical proposals;
- Provide technical assistance to a portfolio of companies to improve their market offerings/ value proposition to the programme’s market (supply side), and investment readiness (demand side).
4. Works with the knowledge management, and impact measurement team to capture and disseminate knowledge generated from project implementation
- Generate, facilitate, and disseminate research and information sharing to ensure stakeholders are informed on current trends, best practices, market conditions, and special topics as needed;
- Consolidate knowledge/lessons learned and disseminate good practices;
- Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders for research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches in the field of inclusive digital financing and fintech;
- Conduct workshops and other convenings on innovation in the supply of digital financial products;
- Identify and recommend learning, training, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for staff, partners and key stakeholders;
- Review & respond to partner reports, ensuring partners are reporting accurately on activities/initiatives.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3
Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3:
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
People Management
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management: Results Based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Management: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organisation’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
Business Management: Partnership Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNCDF processes and policies.
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Business Management: Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness
- Project Quality Assurance
Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements:
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, renewable energy development, technology or a related discipline or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience:
- A minimum of 5 (five) years (with master’s degree) or 7 (seven) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing programmes or projects related to innovative access to financial services for MSMEs and Fintechs in East and Southern Africa countries.
Required skills:
- Proven experience in structured finance.
- Proven technical knowledge and deep understanding of innovative approaches to effectively finance micro and small businesses at scale.
- Demonstrated expertise in engaging and collaborating with multilateral and bilateral organizations, as well as government bodies, to build partnerships and manage external relations.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Expertise in designing and delivering business development support services and technical assistance for private sector growth with a focus on MSMEs and Fintechs.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of gender equity and social inclusion, with the ability to lead investments (grants and loans) and ensure adherence to social and environmental standards.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively lead a diverse technical team and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and concisely.
Required Language(s):
Full fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60
Level of Education: postgraduate degree
Job application procedure
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