Job Description

Deadline for Applications

February 24, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA2

Target Start Date

2026-04-01

Terms of Reference

Title: Financial Inclusion Officer
Duty station: Home-based
Section/Unit: Sustainable Responses Service (SRS)
ICA Level: IICA-2
Duration: from 01/04/2026 to 31/12/2026

1. General Background

Access to formal financial products and services in host countries is instrumental to the economic inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Without such access, people who are forced to flee lack the ability to open accounts to receive wages, safeguard savings, securely receive or send money, obtain credit to start a business or to buy assets, and validate professional achievements or education credentials.

Access to deposit accounts, payment systems, credit facilities, and insurance plays a key role in bolstering their financial resilience during displacement. It enables them to effectively plan for their future, whether that entails remaining in their country of asylum, returning to their country of origin, or resettling in a third country.

UNHCR is dedicated to ensuring that Forcibly Displaced and Stateless Persons have access to affordable and suitable financial services. Our work includes working with responsible financial service providers to deliver these services and raising awareness of the business potential in serving people who are forced to flee, while overcoming policy constraints that hinder their access to financial services.

Access to formal financial services is essential whenever people are granted foundational rights such as the right to work and to move freely within the host country. However, financial inclusion itself is not the ultimate objective. What truly matters is that forcibly displaced persons and their host communities possess the resources, skills, and knowledge to utilize financial services effectively, enabling them to achieve a certain level of financial stability and well-being. This includes the ability to meet basic day-to-day needs, recover from financial setbacks, manage debt effectively, and seize economic or educational opportunities.

With these outcomes in mind, UNHCR is augmenting its efforts in the financial inclusion space to:

• Expand its advocacy work with Financial Service Providers, Impact Investors and Governments.
• Engage with donors and the private sector to scope-out blended finance opportunities.
• Enhance financial skills for forcibly displaced through financial education.
• Expand its data collection, monitoring and analysis on financial inclusion and financial well-being of forcibly displaced persons.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Financial Inclusion Officer will support the implementation of UNHCR's financial inclusion agenda by performing the following duties:

• Support the selection of intervention areas in alignment with UNHCR's strategic objectives and in coordination with field operations for implementing financial inclusion projects and fostering partnerships with the financial community.
• Enhance the capacity of field staff involved in financial inclusion operations, particularly in identifying suitable financial institutions for partnerships, data collection, and performance/outcomes monitoring.
• Assist with the compilation and dissemination of good practices, knowledge management, and the development of learning tools for staff and partners to strengthen financial inclusion programming.
• Assist UNHCR field operations in raising awareness about access to finance and financial well-being for forcibly displaced persons within the financial community and establishing partnerships with qualified financial service providers.
• Support the monitoring and reporting of the results of financial inclusion projects implemented by UNHCR or partners.
• Assist in reviewing project proposals from field offices and implementing partners to promote access to finance for forcibly displaced persons.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Measurable Outputs:
• Workplans completed and defined activities achieved in line with UNHCR’s financial inclusion strategy.
• Partnerships established and maintained with qualified financial service providers.
• Regular monitoring and progress reports generated, analyzed, and disseminated to relevant stakeholders.
• High-quality feedback, analysis, and recommendations provided to inform program improvement and decision-making.
• Lessons learned, good practices, and knowledge products compiled and shared through effective knowledge management mechanisms.
• Learning tools and materials developed and utilized to enhance staff and partner capacity in financial inclusion operations.
• Frequency and quality of monitoring and evaluation reports maintained at expected standards.
• Level of stakeholder satisfaction measured and documented regarding capacity-building initiatives, technical support, and overall program interventions.

Milestones:
Completion of specific phases of project implementation.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Percentage of targeted activities completed within specified timelines.
• Number of project proposals reviewed, approved, and implemented to enhance access to finance for forcibly displaced persons.
• Number of lessons learned, good practices, and knowledge products identified, documented, and shared for organizational learning and scaling.
• Number of capacity-building sessions and training materials developed and delivered to enhance staff and partner competencies in financial inclusion.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

Advanced degree in economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or related field.

b. Work Experience

At least 6 years of relevant experience with Bachelor’s degree; 5 years with Master’s degree; or 4 years with Doctorate degree. For the purposes of this role, relevant experience refers to professional experience in programme management and coordination within the financial inclusion sector.

Required experience:
• Experience in working in microfinance schemes, implementing financial inclusion activities, provisioning of financial services for forcibly displaced populations.
• An understanding and experience in the use of digital financial services in displaced settings.
• Experience in mentoring and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders in financial inclusion.
• Experience with resource mobilization and public-private partnership engagement for development programs.

Would be an asset:
Previous experience working with UNHCR.

c. Key Competencies

• A solid understanding of the financial and socio-economic inclusion needs of forcibly displaced persons.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Effective communication and public presentation skills.
• Be proactive and able to work independently as well as in a team.