Analyst Innovation & MEL

About Us

Guided by Karandaaz vision, we believe that every Pakistani deserves to be Financially Included and Economically Empowered. Our mission at Karandaaz is to foster economic growth and create jobs through financial inclusion of unbanked individuals and unserved enterprises.

Karandaaz Pakistan is a not-for-profit organization, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 42 of the Companies Act 2017. We are supported by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Karandaaz Innovation through its programmatic interventions, Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF), Women Ventures (WV), and Green Challenge Fund (GCF) aims to address gaps in the financial architecture to improve access to finance and support commercially viable business ideas in high impact areas.

The Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF) addresses challenges in financial inclusion by investing in innovative products and services. Karandaaz works with private sector firms to invite solutions to these challenges and reduce the risk of product development by funding the projects. The challenge fund can help overcome market failures that would otherwise prevent a solution-provider from making an initial investment due to costs associated with information discovery, risk mitigation or simply lack of funding.

Karandaaz Green Challenge Fund (GCF) supports Greentech, SMEs, Not-for-Profits and other formal entities in testing and scaling up innovative solutions to the climate change issues in Pakistan. Karandaaz provides critical finance to ideas that do not get traction from traditional market sources. Karandaaz GCF portfolio includes solutions on plastic waste management, efficient water management, and air quality.

Women Ventures (WV) is a programmatic intervention by Karandaaz to provide growth capital and business development support to female entrepreneurs who are aspiring to scale up and expand business operations. These businesses belong to a range of sectors and are actively contributing to job creation and economic development. Women Ventures has also entered into institutional partnerships to reach businesses with smaller funding requirements in Tier 2 geographies (beyond Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad).

Position Summary

KRN seeks to hire an Analyst for the Karandaaz Innovation Investment (KII) & Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEL) functions to support the implementation of its growing portfolios of Innovation Challenge Fund, Women Ventures, and GreenFin Innovation portfolios.

The position will also contribute to the MEL function; particularly in monitoring the growing spread of activities implemented by Karandaaz and reporting on monthly updates. 

Job Responsibilities

Karandaaz Innovation Investments (40%)

• Conduct research and develop concept notes on thematic problems and key challenges in the financial inclusion space.
• Assist in implementing the competitive process for the Innovation Challenge Fund (ICF), including proposal screening and selection of partners with a special focus on innovation, “new to market” products and capacities of implementing partners.
• Support the selection process for Women Ventures and Green Fin Innovations, which includes managing the application submissions, data collation, evaluation, interviews, and business development support.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) (40%)

• Manage and deliver monthly reporting to the Board and sponsors on Karandaaz activities and implementation status.
• Support the Specialist MEL in conducting Data Quality Assessments, and developing case studies of select projects.

Programme Management Support (20%)

• Develop and maintain programme budget. Update spend information and monitor alignment/coherence with the programme workplans.
• Manage communication and marketing requirements of the above programmes in coordination with the Marketing & Communications (Marcom) team for timely and targeted promotion.
• Support development of communication products to document success stories and key lessons from supported activities.
• Ensure the website and online application process for the concerned programmes are updated and meet programme team and client requirements.
• Any other task necessary to ensure the optimum performance of the Innovation team

Eligibility

Education & Experience

• Bachelors/Master’s degree in Business or Economics – or related field of study with an understanding of project management and social science research.
• At least two (02) years of relevant experience, preferably in programme management and MEL in the financial inclusion space.
• Demonstrated experience of working independently, strategic thinking, and managing a complex project portfolio.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• Knowledge of financial inclusion and impact investing
• Knowledge of grant management in the financial inclusion space
• Strong analytical skills in terms of research, sectoral analysis and programme design.
• Excellent English writing and presentation skills
• Highly organized, with demonstrated project and time management skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interface with and manage stakeholders at senior level
• Ability to work on multiple and tight deadlines with a commitment to quality, accuracy and attention to detail
• Team player and self-starter who shows initiative and works independently.
• Ability to travel and engage with geographically dispersed multicultural teams.

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 the Karandaaz vision and values and feel excited about the work we are offering, please send us your application for this position at 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