CONSUMER PROTECTION (FINANCIAL PRODUCTS) EXPERT

Background:

Nathan is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction. We are passionate about applying our deep analytical expertise and advanced proprietary tools to generate economic solutions tailored to our clients’ unique challenges. Nathan focuses on a range of economic development subject matter areas including Trade & Logistics; Economic Policy & Governance; Private Sector Development; Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Financial Solutions.

The Moldova Institutional and Structural Reforms Activity (MISRA) is a five-year project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to improve the business, investment, and trade enabling environment in cooperation with the Government of Moldova (GoM) to respond to an unprecedented economic crisis due to the war in Ukraine, as well as to support Moldova’s economic recovery, including to: advance the GoM’s economic action plan; strengthen public economic governance institutions; improve transport, logistics, trade, and commerce; and accelerate financial sector reforms and inclusiveness; among other needs. USAID MISRA is also building the capacity of the GoM to better engage and strategically communicate its economic plan, progress, and results to the private sector, civil society, and the public. These activities include intensive support to select GoM institutions with institutional reforms, streamlined processes, and digitalization to improve transparency, accountability, access to information, and public services.

This position will require two 1-week trips to Chisinau, Moldova (tent. January and April 2023)

Job Description:

Engage with relevant government and private sector stakeholders to assess the legal and regulatory framework surrounding consumer protection;

·Conduct a comparative analysis of the local legal and regulatory framework related to consumer protection and international best practices, focusing on EU countries;

·Develop a comprehensive report recommending specific policy, legal interventions, and practices aimed at improving the protection of consumers;

·Assess whether there is need for an electronic calculator/tool, to be hosted on the regulators’ websites or elsewhere, to allow regulators to verify whether creditors are properly calculating annual effective rates included in consumers’ contracts, and develop a concept for this tool if feasible;

·Build the capacities of supervisors to monitor compliance with consumer protection requirements, as established by laws and regulations, and recommend improvements in the monitoring system and/or legal and regulatory framework; and

·Contribute to other consumer protection-related activities of the program consistent with the approved workplan and this scope of work.

Qualifications:

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or Law;

·Ten or more years of professional experience in financial markets, banking, non-bank lending sector, or financial sector supervisory authorities;

·Strong, demonstrated knowledge of the EU Directives on Consumer Credit, particularly on application of the basic equation for annual percentage rate charges (APR), as described in Annex I to Directive 2008/48/EC;

·Previous experience reviewing national legal and regulatory frameworks on consumer protection; and

·Experience working with USAID and/or other international donors preferred.

Nathan is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Nathan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. EOE Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Nathan requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated. If you receive a conditional offer of employment from Nathan, you will be required to prove that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or receive approval from Nathan for a waiver due to a valid religious or medical reason prior to your start date. Applicants should not disclose their vaccination status or need for a waiver before receiving a conditional offer of employment.