Introduction

Large mixed migration movements continue to shape the global political and development agenda, creating significant socio-economic challenges for countries of first asylum, transit and destination, many of which are low- and middle-income countries already facing labour market pressures. As displacement becomes increasingly protracted, international responses are shifting toward more durable, inclusive solutions that promote self-reliance, socio-economic inclusion and social cohesion for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) and the communities that host them.

In this context, the Government of the Netherlands launched the PROSPECTS Partnership Programme in 2018, bringing together development and humanitarian actors, including the ILO, UNHCR, IFC, UNICEF and the World Bank. PROSPECTS aims to strengthen inclusive socio-economic development in countries affected by forced displacement, with a focus on improving enabling environments for access to labour markets, livelihoods and essential services for refugees and host communities. Within PROSPECTS, the ILO implements a range of interventions to promote decent work and inclusive economic opportunities, including through financial inclusion. Building on this work, the ILO, in partnership with UNHCR, has established the Financial Access Initiative for Refugees (FAIR) Facility, which seeks to expand access to appropriate financial services for FDPs and host communities by strengthening the capacity of financial service providers (FSPs), supporting financial education and generating evidence to inform policy and practice.

The position is located in Nairobi, Kenya and is technically anchored in the ILO’s Social Finance Programme, part of the Enterprises Department. Social Finance is the ILO’s focal point for enabling the financial sector to contribute to the Decent Work Agenda, with a focus on enterprise development, job creation and reducing vulnerability through access to responsible financial services and risk-management tools.

In close coordination with PROSPECTS country teams, the Technical Officer will support the planning, implementation and follow-up of financial inclusion activities for FDPs and host communities planned in the context of the FAIR Facility. The position includes working across the demand and supply sides of financial services, contributing to operational coordination, monitoring and data collection, as well as the technical follow-up of FAIR-supported interventions. It also involves liaising closely with country teams, implementing partners and ILO technical units in ILO headquarters (ILO-HQ).

Reporting lines:

The incumbent will report to the Director of CO-Dar es Salaam and to the Social Finance Technical Expert as a lead technical matrix manager based in Geneva, Switzerland, and under the overall guidance of the Global Programme Manager of PROSPECTS in Geneva. The incumbent will closely coordinate with PROSPECTS Country Teams, in particular Enterprises and Financial Inclusion Officers.

Technical support will also be provided by the ILO Country Offices in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the ILO Decent Work Teams (DWT) based in Pretoria, South Africa and Cairo, Egypt and any other relevant departments and specialists from ILO-HQ.

Description of Duties

A. Programme Coordination and Implementation

• Support the rollout of FAIR activities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan by tracking implementation progress and ensuring alignment with approved work plans, in accordance with ILO programming guidelines, country action programmes, and administrative and financial procedures.
• Liaise regularly with PROSPECTS country teams to consolidate updates, identify bottlenecks and ensure smooth coordination among ILO and partners.
• Assist in the preparation, review and follow-up of technical assistance plans for participating FSPs as well as cooperatives and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) entities.
• Support the organization of assessments, training sessions, market research, workshops and field missions related to FAIR.
• Serve as a resource person for trainings and workshops organised for partners and stakeholders.
• Promote the inclusion of gender equality and non-discrimination in all aspects of the project.

B. Partner Support and Follow-up

• Act as a first-line focal point for participating FSPs for administrative and operational queries in coordination with PROSPECTS country teams and national enterprises officers.
• Track progress of technical assistance delivered by consultants and ensure that deliverables comply with FAIR standards and timelines.
• Facilitate communication and coordination with UNHCR field teams (e.g., access to settlements, validation of IDs, socioeconomic data).

C. Monitoring, Data Collection and Reporting

• Support the PROSPECTS M&E officers in collecting and organizing country-level data on FSP performance, outreach figures, training activities, and beneficiary qualitative and quantitative results.
• Contribute to monitoring frameworks, indicator tracking and impact reporting for FAIR and PROSPECTS.
• Draft sections of progress reports, donor updates, briefing notes, meeting minutes and mission reports.

D. Research and Knowledge Management

• Support data collection and analysis for the FAIR research component (impact measurement, institutional assessments, borrower-level surveys, etc.).
• Assist in systematizing lessons learned, good practices and case studies for use in policy dialogue, communication and advocacy.
• Maintain the FAIR knowledge management repository and ensure documents from country programmes are up to date.

E. Administrative and Operational Support

• Assist with procurement, contracting and onboarding of service providers, consultants and training institutions.
• Support logistical arrangements for missions, workshops, trainings and meetings across the four countries.
• Provide inputs for project budget preparation, help prepare budget forecasts, monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with ILO administrative procedures.

F. Other Related Duties

• Contribute to visibility and communication materials for FAIR and PROSPECTS as needed.
• Perform any other relevant tasks assigned by the FAIR Facility Manager or PROSPECTS Regional and Country Managers.
• Support with Social Finance activities in the region when possible, including on resource mobilisation

Required qualifications

Education

First level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in economics, development studies, finance, public policy, international relations or a related field. An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) would be an advantage.

Experience

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in financial inclusion, access to finance or enterprise finance, with experience within the financial sector, such as banks, microfinance institutions, financial cooperatives or similar financial service providers.
• Demonstrated experience working directly within a financial institution providing exposure to internal operational processes of FSPs, and contributing to activities related to financial products development or adaptation, including an understanding of basic, regulatory, risk and operational considerations involved in expanding to new or underserved market segments.
• A demonstrated experience supporting or contributing to FSP’s investment readiness processes, access to finance for refugees and host communities, fragile contexts or underserved populations, as well as familiarity with ILO Social Finance approaches, are strong assets.
  

Languages

Excellent command of English

Competencies

• Ability to draft clearly and concisely, and prepare project proposals, reports and studies.
• Ability to contribute to results-based programme implementation and reporting.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good analytical skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
• Ability to carry out assignments in accordance with instructions and guidelines.
• Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Ability to conceptualise, plan, and conduct straightforward research work.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.
• Good computer skills.