About Accion
Accion is a global nonprofit committed to creating a financially inclusive world, with a trailblazing legacy in microfinance and fintech impact investing. We catalyze financial service providers to deliver high-quality, affordable solutions at scale for the 1.8 billion people who are left out of, or poorly served by, the financial sector. For more than 60 years, Accion has helped tens of millions of people through our work with more than 200 partners in 63 countries. More at http://www.accion.org.
About Global Advisory Solutions (GLAS)
We are a diverse and close-knit global team with one common social purpose: building a financially inclusive world for small businesses and low-income households. We are passionate about what we do — working with a wide range of financial service providers and other partners across the world to build sustainable businesses that open opportunity for those that have been underserved by the financial system for too long. We enjoy solving problems, being exposed to new ideas, sharing information, and asking, “what if?”.
Position Summary
The Accion Global Advisory Solutions team is seeking an Associate who is passionate about financial inclusion and delivery of financial products to underserved customers in the region, and the digital transformation of organizations that serve these customers. S/he will support digital transformation engagements, including, the creation of innovative, scalable and fit-for-purpose financial products that respond to customer needs. The candidate should have experience in working on innovative transformation programs, and end-to-end delivery (conceptualization/build/commercial launch) of digitally enabled financial products and /or platforms. The incumbent will work with key partners across the Asia region primarily, and beyond the region as needed.
The job holder should also have a very good understanding and experience of working in the agriculture sector and/or Ag Tech companies, have strong analytical skills and business acumen. The job holder will be expected to contribute to Accion’s strategy in Agri-practice, including, providing inputs on latest industry trends and best practices, identifying, and building relationships with ecosystem players, developing knowledge repository on relevant areas, identifying and pursuing new business opportunities and providing support towards proposal developments.
Position Responsibilities
Project Management and Execution
- Support delivery of integrated transformation projects – from conceptualization of the project plan based on the business and technology strategy through to ownership of implementation of the agreed transformation.
- Support relationships with key stakeholders from partner organizations and Accion and ensure alignment with all parties related to project implementation and plans.
- Conduct market scans and analyse key trends (regulation, technological changes, competition, etc.) to identify market opportunities or risks and threats.
- Provide support to the team in the coordination and communication of the results of consulting projects via written reports and oral presentations to management.
- Participate in the drafting of reports and the presentation of the reports to senior advisor(s) for review.
- Identify opportunities to develop and showcase learnings, insights and innovations resulting from our digital financial capability building work.
- Other related projects and learning opportunities as assigned.
Business Development
- Identify and pursue opportunities with current and new institutional partners for deploying Accion’s customer engagement tools with their customer base, particularly focusing on those with demonstration potential to build the GLAS’s customer engagement brand.
- Establish and nurture partnerships that enable the achievement of the product goals.
- Identify and pursue new funding relationships, in coordination with the Resource Development department.
- Participate in the development and presentation of project proposals to clients and/or donors, including support to overall scope development, pricing and negotiation.
Agri-Tech
Agri-specialist would support the Agr-Lead in the following areas:
- Conduct research and analysis in Agri-Tech to identify areas where digital technologies can be applied to improve processes and outcomes.
- Based on the findings of their research, develop, and implement strategies to develop and grow Accion’s Agri practice. Develop knowledge and best practice repositories.
- Collaborate and work closely with stakeholders across the agri-value chain, including farmers, farmer producer organizations, farm network organizations, agri-fintechs, agri-buyers / lenders and supply chain platforms, industry bodies / associations, governments etc.
- Stay current with the latest trends and developments in the agri-industry and be able to translate these into actionable strategies and initiatives. This may involve attending industry conferences and events and engaging with industry thought leaders and experts.
- Identify transformative consulting opportunities in the agri-space and support donor proposal development.
Position Qualifications
- Passion for the social sector and keenness toward technology-enabled business models.
- Experience of 6-8 years in a reputed consulting organization or fintech or financial services provider.
- MBA or equivalent with a background in or inclination toward infotech, financial services, or social sector is preferred.
- Hands-on experience working in the Agri sector and / or with an Ag-Tech company.
- Innovative mind-set and fresh perspective to the design and development of new and existing business models to support clients in achieving break-through results.
- Ability to study and quickly understand business processes, team dynamics and customer needs.
- Ability to structure and scope complex problems and apply a range of analytical tools to develop solutions.
- Curious mindset & demonstrated initiative to learn the developments in fintech and financial inclusion domain, an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Excellent people skills, experience with multi-cultural environments is preferred.
- Proven multi-tasking skills with a positive, can-do attitude and an approach of “every job is important.”
- Team player who enjoys working in a semi/un-structured environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Proven project management skills.
- Demonstrated fluency in financial modelling tools such as Excel.
- Ability to create visually appealing presentations.
- Interest in our mission and working globally.
- Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect, and passion for social change.
Travel Requirement
Travel up to 30% domestically and occasional international trips.