Vacancy: Financial technology “fintech” & humanitarian action consultant

Deadline for application: 26 June 2024

Start date & duration: As soon as possible - end May 2025

Nature of appointment: Consultancy of approximately 50 days across 12 months. Individuals, small teams and organisations are welcome to apply.

Location of post: Swiss based or anywhere in the world

For further details, contact info@polisync.org

Duties and responsibilities

Support a larger project team on the fintech, inclusive innovation and humanitarian action aspect of a project building multi-stakeholder engagement to identify one or more alternative payment methods for aid and assistance funds that could be launched as a pilot in a Middle Eastern humanitarian setting. Specific duties will include:

  • Map existing alternative payment practices in poorly-banked jurisdictions and assess their applicability to a specific country/region (approx. 2 pages of output)

  • Design and conduct semi-structured interviews with approximately 30 stakeholders working in the specific country/region (approx. 10 pages output of findings),

  • Assess the local operating environment in a specific country/region, including a mapping of existing aid and assistance fund transfer mechanisms in use, and assessment of constraints (approx. 10 pages output of findings).

  • Complete stakeholder consultations on the local, regional and international operating environment (approx. 5 pages summarizing results)

  • Conduct a “tech sprint” involving relevant financial technology providers to agree on a way forward and generate recommendations of a launchable product pilot (and summary report with recommendations totalling 10 pages)

Qualifications, skills and experience

  • 10+ years experience designing and implementing projects in cash and voucher assistance, financial inclusion, food security or livelihoods recovery.

  • Technical expert, advisor, or researcher supporting international organisations and/or social impact-focused companies focusing on inclusive innovation.

  • Proven track record of liaising between humanitarian, development and technology sectors, overseeing the creation and management of community-inclusive, context-adapted blockchain and digital payment systems.

  • Strong knowledge and understanding of humanitarian settings, particularly in the Middle East.

  • Fluent oral and written English, other languages a bonus

Female candidates and candidates from diverse geographic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Payment rate: Quote for day rate to be submitted for between 40-50 days of work across 12 months.

To apply

Send your CV, or the CV of your team + organisation bio, to info@polisync.org, together with a quote including your all-inclusive day rate (i.e. including any social charges or taxes) for 40-50 days of work across 12 months to carry out the duties and responsibilities listed above. If submitting as a team, or through an organisation, please include a short description of the duties and responsibilities different team members will carry out.

Only applicants in whom PoliSync has a further interest will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to be interviewed.