Description:
The Digital Financial Services (DFS) department at KRN has initiated and completed many engagements in both public and private sectors that include infrastructure development, policy creation, experiments and pilots, to drive financial inclusion at Pakistan. The problem analysis of DFS adoption (ownership and use of a formal wallet/bank account, use of digital payments and other financial services) demonstrate, that there are a great many root causes; and that the impacts are diverse and significant. It suggests that there are no individual interventions that can lead directly to an up-lift in adoption, rather actions are required that addresses both supply and demand sides, and that involve customers, intermediaries, service providers, policy makers and regulators.
The incumbent on this position will be responsible to engage with both public and private sector entities to identify such potential areas for intervention and initiate projects that can drive the adoption of DFS products, services and digital payments while utilizing various infrastructures such as RAAST. This position is expected to identify and manage such projects with implementing partners, that focus on the adoption of DFS while ensuring the project scope is delivered within committed timelines.
Job Responsibilities
The candidate will be expected to perform the following responsibilities:
- Assist the team with designing the theory of change for the adoption vertical and chalking out a work plan for addressing gaps in the ecosystem for the uptake of digital financial services
- Research, comprehend and document gaps in the DFS ecosystem from an adoption perspective.
- Scout and recommend opportunities from Karandaaz existing portfolio of projects as well as navigate external opportunities for DFS adoption
- Contribute towards development of thematic concepts for grant programs and challenge rounds as needed
- Manage the competitive process for grant programs and challenge rounds, including: outreach, lead generation, proposals screening, supporting the grant awarding panel, and completing all documentation as per the operations manual for DFS.
- Design and implement the screening and selection frameworks for fair and transparent assessment and selection of implementing partners
- Engage with potential partners (grantees) to develop grant concept notes, manage onboarding and contracting of selected partners, including due diligence, development of project milestones and grant disbursement schedules.
- Establish control on project delivery timelines and scope and objectives of the project(s)
- Support the process of monitoring, evaluation, and lesson learning throughout the course of each grant-funding period.
- Assist with monitoring project budgets, reporting, and related documentation including updates to key stakeholders from Karandaaz, donors and partners.
- Support program office with various audit activities and share required information
- Prepare budget forecasts for the adoption vertical and ensure timely delivery on projects, and timely consumption of allocated budgets.
- Take up any other task necessary to ensure the optimum performance of the Karandaaz Digital Financial Services stream.
Eligibility
Education & Experience
- A minimum of 2 to 4 years of work experience with preferably 1 to 2 years of experience in managing digital financial services projects.
- Bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution in a relevant discipline such as, but not limited to, project management, business, economics, information technology etc.
- Experience of creating high quality resources such as concept papers, business models, funding narratives etc.
- Prior experience of project management will be a plus