Background:

The Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR) is the national body representing all the microfinance institutions in Rwanda. The association was created in 2007 with 32 founding members, today AMIR represents 450 MFIs (including Microfinance Limited Companies, Non-Umurenge SACCOs, and all Umurenge SACCOs) as licensed by the National Bank of Rwanda. AMIR represents more than 90% of the country’s micro-finance sector, AMIR’s vision is to become a strong and efficient organization that contributes to the development of the microfinance industry through the promotion of transparent management systems in MFIs, innovative and market-led financial services, and products.

Project: Supporting and Enhancing Resilient and Viable Employment Opportunities (SERVE) project SERVE

Position: Responsible and Inclusive Finance Specialist

Reporting: The Responsible and Inclusive Finance Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator.

Project Description:

The Supporting and Enhancing Resilient and Viable Employment Opportunities (SERVE) project is an agricultural enterprise, and financial inclusion intervention that will be delivered for 5 years, to build a resilient, sustainable, gender equitable, and inclusive entrepreneurial environment that increases dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for predominantly female youth in agricultural value chains.

SERVE Project is being implemented in 10 districts across Rwanda; namely Eastern Province: Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, and Kirehe; Southern Province: the coverage is Huye and Nyamagabe; Northern Province: Gakenke and Rulindo and lastly Western Province: Nyabihu and Rubavu.

SERVE Project targets 100,000 predominantly female youth (PFY) (at least 70% female) engaged in or with the potential to engage in agricultural businesses and smallholder farming. The project expects to directly support dignified and fulfilling employment opportunities.

Job roles and responsibilities:

The Responsible Inclusive Finance Specialist will be a staff of AMIR working under the SERVE Project and will be working under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator.

Job Summary and overall tasks

Ensure that Rwanda microfinance sector needs are addressed accordingly and quality financial education services, quality financial products and social performance through technical and coaching support are offered in general to achieve AMIR objectives and specifically to its members.

Work with AMIR members located in 10 Districts covered by the SERVE Project, in areas of financial inclusion (training/coaching members) in developing new products and services including those related to responsible finance like social performance management and financial education.

Specific responsibilities:

• Coordinate product development activities and product improvement for AMIR members
• Promote responsible financing to member MFIs/SACCOs by ensuring financial education and social performance management including client protection and the code of conduct.
• Produce institutional and country-level benchmark reports in areas of Financial Education and Social performance management.
• Monitor implementation of the project that include responsible finance and produce project progress reports (both monthly, quarterly and annual reports). This includes but not limited to ensure proper management of the project and production of financial and narrative reporting.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with AMIR members and stakeholders
• Collect, document and report issues faced by AMIR Members in relation to the limited access to finance, financial inclusion and social performance.
• Ensure documentation of all processes involved in the project's implementation for M&E purposes
• Liaise with donors and stakeholders in the field of assess to finance and Financial Inclusion
• Ensure Financial Education is strengthened among AMIR members
• Support and contribute to other aspects of AMIR’s work program as required by the immediate supervisor.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in finance, banking, economics, Business Administration or related field. An advanced degree is often preferred.
2. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in areas including agriculture financing, microfinance development, banking, rural finance, and Development of financial products and services for MFIs and SACCOs.
3. At least three (3) years of experience working with financial service providers especially in projects designed for strengthening small-holder farmers.
4. Demonstrated understanding in developing and marketing inclusive financial products, such as loans, insurance, and savings.
5. Proven experience in providing, coordinating and monitoring capacity building related activities
6. Extensive experience in supporting rural communities particularly smallholder farmers to access financial services.
7. Understanding of agriculture value chain development and financing.
8. Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills and the ability to develop collaborative relationships, especially in a multi-component project with multiple implementation partners.
9. Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability.
10. Computer literacy and competency in the use of Microsoft Office software.
11. Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to effectively build and manage networks and relationships for programs/ projects promotion and issue-resolution.
12. Professional proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda language required.

How to apply:

Interested and eligible applicants should submit the following documents to info@amir.org.rw not later than 11 February 2025 at 5pm.

Send the documents as one folder and in the subject line, fill in the position of Responsible and Inclusive Finance Specialist;

• Motivation letter explaining your suitability for the position,
• Curriculum vitae with 3 referees,
• National ID. 

Only Shortlisted candidates shall be contacted for the interview.

Done at Kigali on 06 February 2025

Jackson KWIKIRIZA

Executive Director