Head of Programmes at Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA)

Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) is a leading financial sector development organisation working to promote financial inclusion in Nigeria. Established in late 2007, EFInA’s vision is to be the leader in facilitating an all-inclusive and growth-promoting financial system. EFInA is funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

EFInA is well renowned within Nigeria’s financial sector for providing thought leadership in financial inclusion and championing the unbanked. Through funding and catalysing innovation, providing cutting-edge research, advocating for enabling inclusive policies and building capacity, EFInA has built a reputation as an “honest broker” amongst both the private and public sectors. Data from the EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria surveys was a key source of information in the development of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy; and is also widely used by a diverse range of stakeholders, including regulators, as a benchmark for financial inclusion in Nigeria, Furthermore, financial services providers use EFInA’s research to develop a range of relevant financial products through gaining insights and understanding of consumers’ needs.

EFInA is seeking to appoint dynamic, strategic, and committed individuals to newly defined roles to build on its current achievements and accelerate the impact of financial inclusion in Nigeria. EFInA is a rapidly growing organisation with considerable influence in the financial sector. Employment with EFInA offers an exceptional and challenging opportunity for the right candidate.

Job Title: Head of Programmes

Location: Lagos

The Role
The Head of Programmes will ensure innovative programme delivery that maintains and builds EFInA’s reputation as a results-driven and high performing organisation at the cutting-edge of financial sector development in Nigeria. He/she will develop and implement a cohesive strategy across EFInA’s strategic areas (payment systems; mobile money; agent networks; non-interest banking/finance) and cross cutting themes (women; financial capability; and northern Nigeria) that aligns the Programmes Department’s activities with EFInA’s strategic objectives.

The Head of Programmes will have a strong understanding of the financial services landscape in Nigeria; the breadth of experience to oversee EFInA’s current programmes; and relevant technical expertise to provide effective oversight of Programme Managers and technical consultants. He/she will have the ability to identify new programme areas and digest information rapidly. The Head of Programmes is expected to keep abreast of new and emerging ideas within financial inclusion so as to ensure that EFInA’s programmes deliver impact at scale. He/she will also develop methodologies for harnessing global best practices in order to encourage innovation within the financial sector in Nigeria. Using this knowledge, the Head of Programmes will manage a team of Programme Managers and other experts to ensure effective delivery of all of EFInA’s programmes whilst building the capacity of key stakeholders.

With a deep understanding of the operating environment and political context, the Head of Programmes will have the gravitas, credibility and ability to initiate and develop strategic partnerships and alliances in the Nigerian financial sector. He/she will continuously build and maintain trust with external stakeholders at a senior level, including leading financial institutions that are committed to financial inclusion, regulators and policy makers, and industry associations. He/she will also work with senior government representatives to drive through policies that promote financial inclusion and identify and resolve related challenges.

The successful applicant will demonstrate a diversity of experience and is likely to have a deep expertise in two or more of EFInA’s programme areas. He/she will have a strong strategic focus, be results driven, and committed to high standards of performance. They must be comfortable with negotiating change, taking responsibility and making complex strategic and operational decisions. Highly adaptable, creative, and used to delivering results in a dynamic and fluid working environment, the Head of Programmes will rapidly assume a wide range of responsibilities and make decisive and tangible contributions to EFInA as soon as he/she joins the organisation.

Primary Relationships
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Department: Programmes

Directly supervises: Programme Manager, Agent Networks; Programme Manager, Payments; Programme Manager, Inclusive Products and Northern Nigeria; Programme Manager, Women and Financial Capability

Manages external relationships with: Financial Services Providers; Regulators, including CBN and SEC; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of ICT; Market Research Firms; Payment Terminal Service Providers; Payment Service Providers; Central Switch (NIBSS); Agent Aggregators/Network Managers; Mobile Money Operators

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities
The role will include, but not be limited to the following responsibilities and accountabilities:

Management of EFInA’s Programmes

• Lead Programme Managers in ensuring that EFInA achieves its strategic objectives across its core strategic areas of payment systems, mobile money, agent networks, and non-interest banking/finance; and cross cutting themes of women, financial capability, and northern Nigeria
• Use innovative approaches to develop a holistic, effective and efficient programme delivery process that enables the Programmes Department to meet its objectives
• Develop and implement a cohesive strategy that aligns the Programmes Department’s activities with EFInA’s strategic objectives
• Based on research findings and interaction with stakeholders, work with Programme Mangers to produce succinct focus/strategy notes on programme areas, which clearly identify opportunities for growing the sector and advancing EFInA’s financial inclusion agenda
• Support the Head of Innovation Funding by identifying opportunities for him/her to follow up, and when required, lead on the development of potential Requests for Proposals for the Innovation Grants and evaluate relevant proposals
• Work with the Head of Knowledge and Evidence to identify new areas for research and disseminate findings to appropriate stakeholders
• Ensure that Programme Managers document the status of all EFInA’s programme areas in terms of key stakeholders, industry associations, policies, regulatory framework, impediments to growth, and barriers to access for the low income population
• Review and finalise quarterly project monitoring reports prepared by the Programme Teams, for the CEO’s approval
• Provide strategic oversight and maintain accountability to the CEO on the progress and performance of all of EFInA’s programme areas
• Ensure effective collaboration and coordination across all EFInA’s programme areas
• Identify and take actions to mitigate any risks associated with the Programmes function
• Establish new working groups, as required, and maintain strategic oversight and responsibility of existing and new working groups
• Commission and manage a team of experts as needed, to provide technical expertise, including building the capacity of key stakeholders in the Nigerian financial sector
• Work closely with the Head of Financial Inclusion at the CBN Financial Inclusion Secretariat to ensure that all the initiatives in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy are monitored and delivered
• Prepare and maintain programme budgets as directed by the CEO

Strategic Oversight of EFInA’s Programmes

• Maintain an overview of EFInA’s role in stimulating development across the Nigerian financial sector in order to facilitate an all-inclusive and growth promoting financial system
• Identify and monitor new and emerging ideas within financial inclusion and their impact on EFInA’s programmes
• Contribute to the development of EFInA’s reputation as a thought leader in financial inclusion by ensuring the effective delivery of EFInA’s programmes
• Identify ways in which EFInA can scale its programme areas; and understand how global best practices can foster innovation within the financial sector in Nigeria
• Keep abreast of major developments in each of EFInA’s programme areas, in Nigeria and in other relevant jurisdictions

Stakeholder Management

• Develop strategic partnerships with leading financial institutions in Nigeria who will serve as “financial inclusion champions”
• Continuously cultivate and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders at a senior level within the financial sector, including financial services providers, regulators and policy makers, industry associations, leading financial institutions, and other key actors
• Represent EFInA at public events and in public communications, as directed by the CEO
• Maintain relationships with innovative institutions, identify new and emerging trends and opportunities that will support the development of EFInA’s programme areas
• Work with senior government representatives to develop and implement policies that promote financial inclusion and identify and resolve related challenges
• Convene and maintain responsibility for stakeholder events related to programme areas

Staff Development
For all staff directly reporting to this position:

• Lead, coach, and mentor the Programme Management team to ensure customer focus and high standards of delivery
• Ensure that any output from the Programme Management team meets EFInA’s high standards of delivery
• Develop a learning culture by sharing best practices and successes between the Programmes Department and different parts of the organisation
• Identify and provide ongoing formal/informal capacity development opportunities
• Monitor, manage and report on the performance including setting monthly performance objectives and timelines, as reflected in their annual job plan
• Conduct monthly reviews
• Conduct annual performance appraisals and ensure that their annual job plans are complete

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Knowledge and Evidence to develop and execute effective strategic marketing campaigns that will increase the awareness of key stakeholders on pertinent issues in EFInA’s programme areas
• Ensure that EFInA’s Total Quality Management systems are embedded across all activities undertaken in the Programmes Department, to create an environment in which all team members are committed to maintaining high standards of work in every aspect of EFInA’s operations
• Take responsibility for own continuous professional development by proactively identifying and participating in formal/informal learning opportunities
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the CEO

Job Competencies and Capabilities
Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Master's degree in Economics, Business Administration, International Development, Finance, Public Administration or any related discipline, from a reputable institution
• Minimum of fifteen years’ management experience within a financial sector or other relevant institution, including some expertise in product design and development
• Demonstrated ability to create new financial sector business units and/or develop and use technology to create impact
• Diverse financial sector experience (banking/management consultancy/development/research)
• In-depth experience (a minimum of seven years) in 2 or more of EFInA’s programme areas
• Strong understanding of the technical aspects of the Nigerian financial system
• Demonstrated experience working in a complex or pioneering environment and in managing, and creating opportunities for change
• Strong relationship management experience with the ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders at the highest levels
• Experience in formulating, developing and implementing new strategies

Desired

• Project management experience and relevant certification
• Experience in Total Quality Management

Skills

• Inspires and leads teams to achieve results and high standards of excellence
• Works independently and as part of a team
• Highly numerate, with strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Proven ability to produce concise, well-structured and very high quality reports and presentations
• Ability to interpret and analyse large amounts of information and data
• Experience in evaluating and monitoring proposals
• Very high level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills
• Very strong presentation skills
• Strong public speaking skills
• Effective influencing and relationship building skills, including at senior levels
• Advanced level competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Fluency in other languages desirable

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the financial inclusion agenda
• Energetic leader with a strong vision and passionate commitment for EFInA’s strategic objectives, who will deliver EFInA’s programmes
• Gravitas, credibility and ability to initiate and develop strategic partnerships and alliances
• Driven and a self-starter
• Highly-organised and efficient; able to multi-task effectively and prioritise work based on minimal direction and multiple competing priorities
• Works well under pressure and meets deadlines
• Committed to delivering high quality results, with cost-effective use of resources
• Can-do approach
• Innovative
• High levels of initiative
• Enterprising attitude that is quick to search out alternative solutions to needs or problems
• Positive, flexible, supportive attitude to work
• Exhibits a helpful behaviour beyond strict job requirements
• Discreet and respects confidentiality
• Integrity and high personal ethical standards
• Confident
• Resilient

Remuneration: Competitive

Application Closing Date
31st May, 2014

Method of Application
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to: efina@creativemetier.com by 31st May 2014, ensuring that you state which role you are applying for and where you saw this advertisement.

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