Policy Specialist, Latin America & Caribbean

Original Source: Alliance for Financial Inclusion

Background

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) is a global network of financial policymakers and regulators including central banks; ministries of finance; and other regulatory bodies working together to increase access to quality financial services for the poor. The network enables its members to share their knowledge and to develop and implement financial inclusion policies that have proven potential to dramatically increase financial inclusion and reach scale. AFI has pioneered regional approaches to peer learning and capacity building among policymakers and stakeholders worldwide and developed a body of technical guidelines and policy recommendations under the leadership of thematic, member-run working groups.

AFI further works with its members to promote public commitments and setting of national targets for financial inclusion through the Maya Declaration, and to provide a range for support for the in-country implementation of members’ commitments. With more than 100 member institutions covering 85% of the world’s 2 billion unbanked population, AFI provides its members with the tools and resources to develop, share, and implement innovative financial inclusion policies. AFI is run by a small management unit providing a portfolio of value-added services for members to facilitate knowledge exchange and drive smart policy reform.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Specialist for Latin America & Caribbean (Policy Specialist LAC) will sit with the Latin America & Caribbean Regional Office (LAC RO) and will report to the Head of Latin America & Caribbean. The LAC team includes the Head of LAC, one Regional Manager Position and one Policy Specialist LAC Position. The LAC RO also works closely with other teams in the Policy & Strategy Directorate, including Gender Inclusive Finance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Capacity Building, Inclusive Green Finance, Policy Programs, other Regional Initiatives and Membership Relations teams. There is also a close working relationship with the Finance team. You will be a key person in delivering the LAC annual work plan and meeting the target set in it.

The Policy Specialist LAC position requires a high level of responsibility, capacity to work independently, personal drive and excellent organization. You will perform a leading role in working directly with senior level officials from AFI’s membership, managing relationships with key stakeholders including donors, and ensuring the timely delivery of all team outputs. The Policy Specialist LAC will support the LAC RO to ensure the AFI corporate objectives are implemented at regional level and to help maintain the dynamic collaboration and interaction among AFI members in these regions and members from other regions within the AFI network.

You will help to engage and stimulate member dialogue on policy issues and assist in the coordination and communication of AFI activities and services. A good understanding of financial inclusion policy issues in the region, proven success in external relations in an international setting and a strong communication background are essential for this position. The Policy Specialist LAC will be integral in providing subject matter expert policy analysis work in a range of new and emerging financial inclusion policy areas, including gender Inclusive Finance and Inclusive Green Finance.

The Policy Specialist LAC is expected to perform the following tasks :

  • Support policy research, development and analysis in the LAC Regional Office a range of policy areas as required and identify the most important trends on financial inclusion in LAC and track regional member demand for joint financial inclusion initiatives;
  • Perform a leading role in writing or contributing to the drafting of technical reports on financial inclusion policy topics. This may include quality control or technical comments on drafts provided by others, and/or contributing to the review of AFI members’ draft documents;
  • Provide inputs on regional and global financial inclusion policy trends and specific country cases/current regional and global debates on financial inclusion and identify innovations within the financial inclusion sphere;
  • Actively engage in building institutional relationships with members; guide existing members on how they can best benefit from AFI services;
  • Represent AFI at regional/global events, make presentations, including gender considerations, on behalf of AFI, provide briefs summary of lessons learned and key insights after a trip/event participation to the Head and other relevant AFI staff;
  • Support capacity building programs of AFI members in the region;
  • Provide insights for establishing or strengthening relationship with donors and the private sector in view of supporting regional activities;
  • Provide conceptual input to AFI’s regional approach;
  • Develop and manage relationships with key external stakeholders related to AFI’s policy analysis work, including from the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, United Nations, as well as academics, NGOs and private sector institutions;
  • Assist the LAC RO and events team with conceptualizing, preparing and organizing regional conferences and events on gender inclusive finance, inclusive green finance, digital financial services, among others: including technical policy support to the annual Global Policy Forum (GPF);
  • Occasionally draft communication materials such as blogs for the AFI website, presentations, briefs, and conference materials.

 

Qualifications

Applicants for the position of Policy Specialist LAC should ideally have the following skills and experience:

  • Minimum ten years’ work experience in fields relevant to the position such as financial sector policy or regulation; financial technology & innovation; international development policy; sustainable development; or related fields.
  • At least five to six years’ experience with direct exposure to financial inclusion policy or closely related fields is preferred.
  • Bachelors Degree in a relevant field such as Public Policy, International Development, Economics, Law, Social Sciences.  A Postgraduate degree will be an added advantage.
  • Experience of working directly with senior officials (e.g. briefing Central Bank Deputy Governors or producing papers for Board Committees).
  • Excellent written and spoken Spanish and English skills. A track-record of written publications (papers, articles, blogs), and experience of presenting at conferences or in training workshops would be an advantage.
  • Experience in data analysis, conducting research to develop policy recommendations, and/or producing strategy documents.
  • An understanding of gender sensitive regulatory and policy considerations.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in managing relationships with members and stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.
  • Proficient computer (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database) and Internet research skills are expected.

 

How to Apply

Interested applicants, please send your CV and Cover Letter to talent@afi-global.org

Closing date : 7th July 2020

Click here to apply.

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