Company Description

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive
Sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyzes partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion are fundamental to who we are and what we do. This is reflected in our vision, mission, and strategy, which set out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org.

Project background

SNV Ethiopia will be implementing an anticipated flagship programme focused on enabling 800,000 rural young women (RYW) to access dignified and fulfilling jobs. The programme will target high-potential agricultural value chains (e.g., horticulture, poultry, dairy), using a market systems development approach in seven regional clusters.

It emphasizes transformative gender and social inclusion (GESI) and aims to address structural and socio-cultural barriers that limit young women’s participation in economic life. Implementation will be decentralized, with strong collaboration across local TVETs, youth centers, community organizations, and public service institutions.

Summary of the position

The Financial Inclusion Advisor leads the implementation of the financial inclusion component of the program within the cluster, with special focus on increasing access to financial services for rural young women, persons with disabilities, and returnees. The role facilitates the establishment and strengthening of Youth Saving and Lending Associations (YSLAs), builds institutional linkages with MFIs, SACCOs, and banks, and promotes market-oriented financial products tailored to youth startups and MSEs. The role also facilitates the integration of financial literacy and digital solutions. The advisor builds the capacity of cluster technical teams, financial service providers, and youth, monitors progress on key indicators, documents lessons learned and represents the program in local platforms to influence practices and policies.

Job Description

• Facilitate the rollout of the program’s youth financial inclusion strategy within the cluster, ensuring interventions prioritize rural young women, Persons with Disabilities, and returnees.
• Conduct localized reviews and rapid assessments to identify root causes of low financial access for target groups and propose tailored solutions.

• Lead the establishment and strengthening of YSLAs, ensuring proper financial literacy, governance, and record-keeping practices are in place.
• Work closely with MFIs, SACCOs, RuSACCOs, and banks to build sustainable institutional linkages that facilitate access to appropriate financial services for youth groups and individual entrepreneurs.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to support the development or adaptation of market-oriented financial products that address the needs of young women, startups, and growing MSEs along priority value chains.

• Identify and promote partnerships with digital technology service providers to introduce solutions such as mobile banking, digital savings, and digital record-keeping among youth groups.

• Build the capacity of cluster technical teams and field staff on YSLA methodologies, financial linkages, and the facilitation of youth access to financial services.
• Identify capacity gaps among local financial service providers (MFIs, SACCOs, banks) and design practical training or support to enhance youth-inclusive financial service delivery.

• Design and execute cluster-level monitoring systems to capture data on YSLAs, linkage outcomes, and the broader financial inclusion component.
• Regularly collect, validate, and analyze data in collaboration with MEAL staff to track progress, inform decision-making, and adjust implementation approaches.
• Document and share lessons learned, success stories, and challenges with cluster and national teams, as well as with local stakeholders.

• Provide technical supervision and coaching to cluster-level staff involved in financial inclusion activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Cooperative Development, or related fields. Preferably master’s degree in the field mentioned.
• 8 years of relevant experience in microfinance, rural finance, or youth/women financial inclusion, with practical knowledge of informal (YSLA/VSLA) and formal financial systems.
• Experience working with MFIs, SACCOs, and banks to develop or promote youth-inclusive financial products.
• Understanding of Ethiopia’s financial sector landscape and familiarity with digital financial services.
• Experience facilitating capacity building for local financial institutions and field-level staff.
• Strong skills in partnership management and stakeholder engagement.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the cluster to field sites.
• Proficiency in English

Competencies

• Problem analysis
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National, Full-time

This position will be based on donor funding and approval confirmation.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Duty Station: Hawassa

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on August 4, 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality.
If your experience and skills match the position's requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both nationally and internationally determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.