Analyst DFS Adoption and Continuous Improvement

About Us

Karandaaz (KRN) believes that every Pakistani deserves to be Financially Included and Economically Empowered. Our mission at Karandaaz is to foster economic growth and create jobs through the financial inclusion of unbanked individuals and unserved enterprises.

Karandaaz Pakistan is a not-for-profit organization, based out of Islamabad, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 42 of the Companies Act 2017. We are supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Karandaaz is governed by an eminent board that set the strategy of the organization and steers it toward the achievement of its objectives.

Karandaaz Digital aims to catalyze the financial services industry towards greater financial inclusion by employing cutting-edge innovations and digital solutions for social impact. Karandaaz collaborates across the financial services ecosystem to maximize impact through improved access to digital finance for low-income, rural, and otherwise excluded population segments, especially women. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Karandaaz Digital aims to work with all stakeholders to facilitate the digitalization of government and other payment streams and provide support to innovative digital financial service startups.

Position Summary

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

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of the digital financial services ecosystem and a burning appetite to learn more through research and learning from experts in the constantly changing DFS space. Drive to understand supply and demand side constraints that are hampering financial inclusion.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Presentation skills
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information objectively and systematically, and ask the right questions to evaluate the potential for intervention, assess the strengths and weaknesses of ideas and identify areas of concern.
• Ability to communicate effectively with experts, stakeholders, and team members, both verbally and in writing, clearly and concisely.
• Ability to build rapport with experts, through leaders and stakeholders and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to act without being prompted or directed. and highly organized, and able to work and deliver in a diverse team
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and find alternative solutions
• Attention to detail – ensuring accuracy and consistency in all tasks of the job role
• Innovative and solution-oriented approach to problem solving for effective and quick execution of projects.

Culture and Values at Karandaaz

Karandaaz Culture is guided by our values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Equity (ICARE). These values shape our choices on what we do and how we do it, both with colleagues internally and partners externally. We also believe that we are all responsible for creating a great place to work and are constantly looking to hire individuals who bring the same level of passion and commitment to the purpose of the organization.

If you believe in Karandaaz vision and values and feel excited about the work we are offering, please send us your resume for this position to careers@karandaaz.com.pk clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line.

Karandaaz is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications by all population groups