Digital Financial Services (DFS) Policy Specialist - East and Southern Africa (ESA)
Organizational Context
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) supports developing countries, particularly LDCs, by mobilizing and catalyzing capital for SDG-impactful investments. UNCDF operates as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution, focusing on SME finance, sub-national finance, and digital finance. The Policy Accelerator Phase II initiative aims to enhance digital financial inclusion across East and Southern Africa (ESA) by improving policies and fostering partnerships.
Job Purpose
The Digital Financial Services (DFS) Policy Specialist will play a pivotal role in the UNCDF Policy Accelerator Phase II, focusing on enhancing digital financial inclusion across multiple ESA countries. This role involves providing advisory support for regulatory frameworks, championing DFS policy reform, and advocating for Open Finance, consumer protection, and women's digital financial inclusion. The specialist will engage with financial authorities and regulators to align project goals with national digital agendas, fostering long-term partnerships and capacity development to advance inclusive financial models. The position requires close collaboration with country and regional teams to deliver impactful advisory services and technical assistance.
Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive reviews of DFS legal and regulatory frameworks in focus countries, identifying gaps and proposing amendments based on international best practices, with a focus on financial inclusion, competition, gender, and consumer protection. Provide strategic and technical advice to UNCDF country and regional teams on policy development, regulations, and implementation roadmaps. Support the design and implementation of Open Banking/Open Finance advisory interventions in selected countries, integrating these considerations into competition and consumer protection activities. Participate in knowledge exchange through groups like the AFI Competition Exchange Working Group, translating findings into actionable recommendations for UNCDF counterparts. Maintain close collaboration with various stakeholders and undertake related technical assistance, analytical work, and capacity-building support as required.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience in digital financial services is required for candidates with a Master's degree, or nine years for those with a Bachelor's degree. Extensive experience in policy advisory roles within the digital finance sector, including engagement with regulatory authorities and financial stakeholders, is essential.
Skills
Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Technical Competencies: Partnership Management (Relationship Management), Communications (Advocacy Strategy and Implementation, Creative Direction and Copywriting), Business Development (Knowledge Generation), Digital (Digital Thought Leadership), Business Direction & Strategy (Systems Thinking), Business Management (Customer Satisfaction/Client Management).