Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances children's rights and equality for girls. We support children's rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for โ and respond to โ crises and adversity. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.
Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and are now active in more than 70 countries, driving changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
Deadline for application submission: 18th May, 2023.
Location: Abuja
Role Purpose
The purpose of this role is to provide strategic and operational advice and support to all Financial Inclusion related activities, projects, team members and partners in the technical delivery of all the Financial Inclusion component of the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP), Federal Project Coordination Unit (FPCU) and the State Project Coordination Units (SPCUs) interventions on Financial Inclusion in Abuja with travel to states of Abia, Ogun, Kebbi, Niger, Akwa Ibom and Taraba.
The Financial Inclusion Advisor is expected to provide strategic leadership in Financial Inclusion programmes and will be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of Plan International Nigeriaโs component on the NFW Project. The Financial Inclusion Advisor strengthens the country officeโs overall capacity to be prepared for and respond to Financial Inclusion programmes in accordance with Planโs principles and practices.
Dimensions of the Role
Support the development, implementation and periodic review of all Financial Inclusion components of the project, including engagement with broad range of project stakeholders.
Accountabilities
- Engage the women groups on Financial Inclusion.
- Develop the capacity of the groups on financial management, bookkeeping, business management, networking with financial institutions, loan and savings management, business plan preparation and use of financial tools.
- Provide input for weekly and monthly activities.
- Respect the rights and dignity of the people while representing Plan International in the community.
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders (traditional leaders, religious leaders, government officials and other actors) in adjacent communities.
- Support in follow up of activities and respond to feedback from the beneficiaries.
- Provide technical leadership to project leads, Managers and Coordinators implementing financial inclusion Programmes.
- Lead on the development and disseminating the financial inclusion strategy; developing, leading and managing quality program design; and developing and testing tools that can be used in the field.
- Contribute to also improve operational systems, internal capacity building (including mentoring staff trained in researches that are financial inclusion related.
- Lead on the development and implementation of all financial inclusion training activities on the project, ensuring the highest quality of standard.
- Ensure the principle of safety and confidentiality of beneficiariesโ data.
- Network with other agencies, UN bodies, donors and other critical stakeholders whilst also working closely with other members of development teams to advance children, adolescent and youth rights (especially for girls).
- Contribute to project research and support Monitoring and Evaluation processes.
- Work with the project manager to regularly develop and disseminate knowledge management materials.
- Support the Project Manager to identify and celebrate campaign and event days related to financial inclusion.
- Participate in the joint monitoring of the financial inclusion approaches with Government and other partners.
- Provide technical insights in the development of curricula, advocacy and community mobilization strategies, including IEC materials and radio messages to ensure service delivery issues are captured.
- Support Project Manager in identifying, disseminate and address barriers to financial inclusion programming outcomes.
- Provide technical support to partner activities to ensure consistency with financial inclusion objectives.
- Provide weekly report on activities implemented. This will include key achievements, challenges, lessons learnt and follow up support needed from supervisor.
- Contribute to technical report writing under the coordination of the Project Manager.
- Support regular advocacies to local stakeholders to improve and sustain project buy-in and operations.
- Support the establishment and maintenance of good working relationship with the relevant State actors, local government authorities and other stakeholders.
- Assume any other responsibility as assigned by the Project Manager.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge
Qualifications and Experience
- 4-6-year experience providing technical support to financial inclusion projects in Nigeria
- University education in social sciences or development study related course. An advanced degree such as MPhil, MSc in related field will be an added advantage.
- Experience working in development /humanitarian projects funded by bilateral /multi donors will be a plus.
- Experience in utilizing financial inclusion approaches in communities will be a plus.