Youth-Inclusive Finance Specialist

Making Cents International seeks a Youth-Inclusive Finance Specialist to work on the USAID-funded Ukraine National Identity Through Youth (UNITY) (https://makingcents.com/project/ukraine-national-identity-through-youth-unity-activity/) activity. UNITY seeks to foster vested ownership among young people in the country’s democratic, European future by further mobilizing youth leadership of a values-based conception of Ukrainian identity grounded in innovation, engagement, and pluralism. To that end, the activity will simultaneously address the key domains identified in USAID’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach (https://www.youthpower.org/positive-youth-development-pyd-framework) : building youth assets, fostering resilience, offering age-appropriate experiences for youth contribution, and strengthening the enabling environment, while intentionally and safely promoting dialogue and belonging around this pluralistic identity and incentivizing participation and leadership by historically marginalized groups.

The Youth-Inclusive Finance Specialist will support the expansion of access and use of youth-friendly financial services under the activity’s Objective 1, Expand economic opportunities for youth through innovation, entrepreneurship, and career preparedness. Planned Objective 1 activities include “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” trainings, an “Entrepreneurship Bootcamp” incubation program, and mentorship and coaching support.

General Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop a report that includes a detailed review of market actors providing youth-friendly financial products and services within Ukraine and Ukrainian youth’s financial preferences and constraints, building upon findings from UNITY’s 2021 Labor Market Assessment (https://makingcents.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNITY-LMA-Report-Final-June-2021-Final-1.pdf) ;
• Design strategy and programming to increase youth’s access and use of financial products and services;
• Work with financial institutions and other market actors to design, roll-out and/or expand access to new and existing youth-friendly financial products and services;
• Support linkages of youth participating in UNITY activities to financial institutions and other market actors, providing direct consultation on appropriate financial products and services as necessary and monitoring youth uptake
• Coordinate activities with UNITY staff and Making Cents’ technical staff based in the United States;
• Travel to UNITY activity sites (as COVID-19 restrictions allow);
• Contribute to project activity planning, reporting, data analysis, and budgets as requested; and
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or other relevant discipline
• A minimum of five years of experience working in the Ukrainian banking and finance sector
• Expert knowledge of and experience with inclusive finance
• Knowledge and understanding of the financial needs of youth and business start-ups
• Experience conducting assessments of financial products and services
• Experience engaging with youth in assessments, trainings, and other programming activities
• Excellent project management, communication, writing, and computer skills
• Ability to negotiate, manage, and build partnerships
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong command of spoken/written English and Ukrainian
• Ability to travel within Ukraine

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATES HAVE:

• Experience working with remote teams
• Familiarity with UNITY’s priority sectors (IT, creative industries, agriculture and food processing, tourism and hospitality, and renewable energy)
• Knowledge and experience with the policy and regulatory environment as related to business and finance in UNITY’s priority sectors
• Demonstrated willingness to work with youth on supporting their financial needs through assessments, trainings, linkages, service delivery, or other activities
• Experience supporting programs funded by the US Government and/or other donor funding program

Making Cents International is a results-driven small business founded on the principles of social entrepreneurship. Since our founding in 1999, we have been fostering human potential and promoting economic opportunities for disadvantaged populations around the world. We have implemented more than 130 projects in over 60 countries to date and are a trusted partner to public- and private-sector clients who benefit from our expertise and broad industry exposure.

Making Cents International is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.

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