Financing Mechanism Specialist

Job Description

We are looking to recruit a dynamic and talented Financing Mechanisms Specialist (FMS) for an exciting role within OPM’s growing portfolio of work on Disaster Risk. This will be a project role based in Ethiopia. The contract starts as soon as possible (by mutual agreement), and the role is full-time and based in the USAID-funded DRM Activity Project office in Addis Ababa. Some travel within Ethiopia will be required. This will be a 12 month contract initially.

The Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Activity is a five-year USAID-funded program implemented by RTI International. The DRM Activity aims to strengthen DRM planning and preparedness capacity, improve DRM coordination, enhance resource mobilization and management, and enable timely implementation of anticipatory actions to pre-empt crises and reduce the impacts of shocks. The activity will also strengthen gender in emergencies (GiE) capacity, increase private sector engagement in DRM, and expand local organizations’ capacity to engage in DRM. The Activity will support DRM institutions in implementing Ethiopia’s new Disaster Risk Management Policy and Disaster Risk Finance Strategy.

There are three objectives for the project:

• Objective 1: Planning and preparedness capacities strengthened.
• Objective 2: DRM coordination improved.
• Objective 3: Resource mobilization and managed enhanced.

 

Oxford Policy Management (OPM) is a sub-recipient and consortium member of the USAID/Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Activity. OPM will support the overall program goals and targets, lead activities that support the goals of Objective 3, “Resource Mobilization and Management Enhanced,” and support tasks under Objectives 1 and 2.

Job Description for the Role:

• The Financing Mechanisms Coordinator will lead the process of identifying and leveraging DRM financing entry points and blended-finance models to catalyze capital for DRM and humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia.
• Provide technical inputs to support leveraging private sector investments and holistic resource mobilization and risk financing.
• Provide technical inputs to support disaster risk financing (DRF) budget allocation, planning, management capacity, and policy reform between the federal and regional levels.
• Contribute to project support around the implementation of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development’s (MOF’s) upcoming Disaster Risk Financing Strategy (DRFS) and support regions in adapting the DRFS.
• As a subject matter expert on financing mechanisms, contribute to broader project objectives as required to ensure the USAID-funded activity provides creative and robust solutions to deliver substantial development impact.
• Provide advice to improve disaster risk financing policies, mechanisms, and budget allocation between the federal and regional levels.
• Provide technical inputs to implement innovative disaster risk financing pilots that support local anticipatory or early action.
• Provide technical inputs to ensure that disaster risk management considerations based on a risk-layered approach to disaster risk financing are incorporated into Ethiopia’s government strategies.
• Work with key technical team members to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across government, private sector, local organizations, and development and humanitarian partners.
• Actively monitor any financing mechanisms, policy, or practice changes that could impact the delivery of the project’s objectives.
• Provide technical inputs focused on financing mechanisms to support the capacity building for relevant stakeholders within the government, local organizations, and other partners to ensure a holistic approach to DRM budgeting, resource mobilization, and risk financing.
• Support senior management, USAID, and the government of Ethiopia on DRM financing issues, including preparing briefing notes and presentation materials, as requested.
• Support the identification of best practices and sharing of knowledge solutions within the project with relevant partners in the field of disaster risk financing.

 

Experience, Qualifications & Skills Required for the Role:

• Degree and post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk financing/public financial management with a proven track record of the DRM financing ecosystem, including risk financing, resource mobilization across government, private sector, local organizations, and development and humanitarian partners.
• A strong track record of technical excellence and knowledge in the disaster risk financing sector
• Experience working in Ethiopia and a good understanding of local Ethiopian national and regional contexts.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work to short lead-in times and strict project deadlines.
• Excellent project management skills.

 

How to apply:

If you feel you meet the criteria above, we would love to receive an application from you. Please apply as soon as possible with a tailored CV and one page cover letter via the: OPM portal.

We will be reviewing application on a rolling basis so please apply today!

However, we reserve the right to close the advert, should we find a suitable candidate before the closing date. Applicants must have a pre-existing right to work in Ethiopia before applying.

Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business.