Position: HEAD - FINANCIAL INCLUSION (1)

Location: Delhi (preferred), Chennai (possible), Jaipur ( possible)

Reports to: Executive Director

Our package: Competitive and commensurate with experience and skills.

Contract type: Full time Position.

Staff reporting to this post: 3 to 4 direct reports (Research Managers and Research Fellows), 8 to 10 indirect reports (Senior Research Associates, Research Associates).

Screening checks: Successful candidates will be asked to undergo background/reference checks. Application deadline: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

ABOUT LEAD AT KREA UNIVERSITY :

LEAD at Krea University (formerly IFMR LEAD) is a non-profit research organization conducting high- quality scalable action research and outreach in development economics and finance. We create 'knowledge for impact' with a vision to solve complex challenges and enhance socio-economic prosperity. We do this using the power of data, innovation, and co-creation, combining interdisciplinary approaches and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

To learn more about who we are, our vision, our work, and our history, please visit our website.

ABOUT LEAD'S FINANCIAL INCLUSION TEAM :

LEAD's Financial Inclusion team has been at the forefront of the sector for over 15 years, contributing to its growth and development in India and beyond. Currently, the team is staffed by 14 energetic researchers contributing to answer Financial Inclusion's most complex challenges. Through our project portfolio (with an average of 8 ongoing projects a, we ideate and test financial product innovation (from insurance, to credit, to savings) and study financial decision making (among migrants, SHG members, farmers). We leverage technology and data across all our work both as a mean to promote access to financial inclusion and a tool to improve service delivery. Still, we always put the human element, including social norms, behaviours, and capabilities, at the centre of our work. We work with a vibrant group of partners, including universities (in India and abroad), financial institutions, fintechs, NGOs, foundations and philanthropic organizations, and government partners at both the state and central level.

ABOUT THE POSITION :

LEAD at Krea University has been playing a principal role in financial inclusion for many years under different banners, but with the same enthusiasm, rigor, and intellectual curiosity. Thinking about the future, LEAD is positioning itself to expand its role and thought leadership in the sector. For this purpose, we are actively seeking a motivated, organized, and self-driven Head - Financial Inclusion who will lead the growth and implementation of LEAD's research agenda in this sector.

JOB PURPOSE :

We are looking for a professional with a strong background in economics, a solid understanding of the financial inclusion landscape, and that is capable to connect the dots across themes and issues (gender, social protection, environment, entrepreneurship, etc.). The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and will also be able to manage and execute research projects in time, within budget, and keeping the highest standards of work.

She or he will lead and mentor research staffs and work in close collaboration with senior team members to co-develop new research ideas, supervise research projects, and expand the team's project portfolio. In the short term, she or he will be given a leading role on several high-level ongoing projects, while contributing to the development of the team's project pipeline. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) to be able to present the team's research to various stakeholders and in various national and, possibly, international platforms through a wide range of mediums. Demonstrated experience conducting applied and experimental research (including conducting and designing evaluations) is essential and a strong understanding of financial inclusion is highly desirable.

Technical Responsibilities :

- Set and execute the goals and strategic plan of the Financial Inclusion portfolio and agenda through operational and project management leadership.

- Lead and mentor staff in the research team and oversee the work of direct reports (3/4 research managers and research fellows).

- Provide technical inputs to research staff on policy relevant research questions and identify knowledge gaps in the research work carried out under this theme.

- Be accountable for and provide substantial inputs into project design and implementation.

- Maintain a positive, constructive, and co-creative relationship with LEAD's stakeholders and partners as well as contributing to growing such network.

- Provide leadership and be accountable for the development of new research ideas, and proposals. Provide thought leadership and monitor recent and relevant sector trends and develop plans on ways to expand LEAD's financial inclusion research agenda.

- Liaise with policy makers, regulators, and academia to identify gaps for action research and establish partnerships to expand the projects portfolio of the financial inclusion team at LEAD.

- Be accountable, proactively contribute to, and lead the development of policy briefs, blog posts and other publications to consolidate LEAD's thought leadership in this sector.

- Contribute to capacity building activities within LEAD.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE and KNOWLEDGE:

Essential Qualifications :

- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Sociology, Economics, Development Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, or related disciplines.

- A minimum of 7 years of work experience (4 with a PhD) in a progressively more responsible position in research, monitoring and evaluation, or implementation in the development sector, preferably in financial inclusion (at least 5 years of experience in financial inclusion are required);

- At least 4 years of experience in applied research and experimental methods;

- At least 2 years of experience managing a team.

Desirable Qualifications :

- Proven analytical skills, including, specifically, skills working with quantitative data using econometric methods;

- Excellent knowledge of current developments in inclusive finance, including one or more of the following: micro-insurance and micro-credit, social protection systems (DBTs, G2P), digital financial services, branchless banking.

- Working experience and knowledge of socio-economic issues, which results in the exclusion of various groups, such as women, migrants, tribal groups, from the financial sector and ability to generate strategies to address those issues;

- Demonstrated ability to develop research and evaluation plans, sampling frameworks and to implement them;

- Excellent oral and written communication skills;

- Proven ability to manage multi-tasking and propose solutions in a timely manner with nominal supervision;

- Capacity to maintain an organized and structured work style in a fast-paced environment;

- Ability to lead and manage the team

Strategy and Management :

- Ability to guide and support the development and implementation of the Quality benchmarks and assurances in research projects;

- Helps to consolidate and disseminate 'lessons learned' and promotes a culture of openness and exchange;

- Keen sense of understanding donor needs, and ability to convert ideas to successful initiatives Internal and External Network

- Contribute to exchange good practices between other verticals and external agencies/delegations/ donors/ platforms;

- Foster and participate in ideas exchange platforms/seminars/webinars related exchanges with the sector stakeholders;

- Follow up on the latest developments related to the vertical and contribute as a thought leader to information dissemination and maintaining relations with stakeholders;

Key Attributes :

- Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.

- Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn.

- Ability to adapt quickly to changing environments and work with multiple stakeholders.

- Strong interpersonal skills, and willingness to interact with a wide range of individuals from Research Associates, Research Managers, etc. to academics, donors, research institutions, etc.

This job opening was posted long time back. It may not be active. Nor was it removed by the recruiter. Please use your discretion.