Financial Services Market Assessment Consultant

Background Information

UNHCR Sub Office Melkadida (SOMEL) is collaborating with the Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA), the Somali Regional Government, the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woreda Authorities, and NGO implementing partners to enhance the self-reliance of refugees and host communities by supporting livelihoods and economic inclusion interventions. The self-reliance programme is supported by the IKEA Foundation and focusses on three key sectors: Agriculture, Livestock, and Financial Services (Microfinance).

Refugee and host communities in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woredas of the Somali Regional State predominantly rely on agriculture and livestock production for their livelihood. These two Woredas are regularly subjected to the risk of droughts and floods, impacting the food security and livelihoods of these populations. In order to facilitate the access of refugees and host communities to financial services, in November 2016, UNHCR launched a formal microfinance programme in partnership with the Relief Society of Tigray and the Dedebit Microfinance Institution. The program has provided saving and loan services to approximately 3,500 refugee and host community individuals and business people across all five camps and adjacent host communities. Moving forward, the strategy is to sustain the existing program and attract additional financial services providers, including banks, microfinance institutions, and micro-insurance companies to the refugee and host community markets in Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woredas. The objective is to promote market competition and to strengthen access to private sector driven financial services for individuals, cooperatives and business enterprises. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will work under the supervision of SOMEL’s Livelihoods Officer and will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Undertake desk research to map out the broad historic dynamics of the financial services sector in Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo host and refugee markets;
• Design questionnaires and undertake field trips to carry out interviews and focus group discussions with the businesses, organizations, and individuals supplying and utilizing financial services in Dollo Ado town as well as the 5 refugee camps and adjacent host communities in Buramino, Hilaweyn, Kobe, Malkadida, and Bokolmanyo;
• Map out the existing demand for financial services (including what type of services are needed) in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woredas. Determine market size, consumer base, market actors, types of products, and prices. Determine supply and market demand for existing and additional financial services;
• Identify the market gaps, constraints, risks, and opportunities for investment in the financial services sector in the area;
• Map out the rules, regulations, and supporting functions for financial services sector in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo refugee and host community markets;
• Provide recommendations on the potential for investment in the financial services sector in Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo districts. Propose specific financial inclusion models that may be appropriate for cooperatives and enterprise in the Dollo Ado and Bokolmanyo Woredas;
• With support of the SOMEL Livelihoods Officer, organize a workshop to present the findings and recommendation of the market assessment to relevant partners, including banks, MFIs, livelihoods development partners, and government counterparts.

The output of this assignment is a 20 - 30 page document which would include pictures, findings, analyses, and recommendations. The selection of the consultant will be determined on the basis of the strength of technical methodologies and proposals of how he/she will undertake the above activities and on the below minimum requirements. 

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Rural Development or related areas.
• Specialized knowledge of financial services sector, especially microfinance sector.

Minimum Experience and Skills

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in providing expert consultancy research services to financial services projects/programs for rural communities in Ethiopia
• Demonstrated knowledge of value chain and market assessment methodologies
• Demonstrated knowledge of the MSME policies and financial services sector in Ethiopia
• Negotiation and presentation skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office IT tools 

Desired Attributes:

• Experience working in refugee hosting environments is a plus
• Knowledge of the Somali Regional State and agro-pastoralist context

Language requirements:

• Fluency (written / oral) in English.
• Working knowledge of the Somali language is an added advantage.  

Submission of Applications

This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

IMPORTANT

Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter and an updated P11/fact sheets through the online application system.

Candidates may be required to sit for a test.

Due to the volume of applications only short listed candidates will be invited for interview.  

Refugees – who cares?   We Do.