Technical Lead – Cooperatives Engagement

Market Solutions Practice (MSP)

MSP corrects market failures by deploying Kifiya’s four core infrastructures—intelligent data & decisioning, intelligent financial services, digital agriculture, and smart mobility—to enable MSMEs, smallholder farmers, and low-to-middle-income individuals to access finance and markets. Our work drives job creation, social inclusion, and economic empowerment, making us a partner of choice for impact funders.

Program Overview: SAFEE Shared Facility

Under the Sustainable Access to Finance to Enable Entrepreneurship (SAFEE) program (a Kifiya–Mastercard Foundation partnership), the Shared Facility provides digital infrastructure and data-management tools to our Foundation partners. By unlocking $1.2 billion in liquidity through a 1:3 leverage model and declining guarantees, SAFEE empowers 477,861 youth‑ and women‑led MSMEs across Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Digital Entrepreneurship.

Job Summary

The Technical Lead – Cooperatives Engagement within the SAFEE program. This includes establishing linkage models between SACCOs and financial institutions, embedding digital onboarding and monitoring workflows, and setting up systems for evidence collection and continuous learning. The role will work closely with the MERL team, Shared Facility team, Cooperative Commission, SACCO unions, Multipurpose Cooperatives (MPCs), banks, and digital service providers.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Pilot Implementation

• Lead the design of the Cooperatives engagement (MPCs and SACCO) engagement framework to support SAFEE participant onboarding, savings mobilization, and credit facilitation.
  Develop Cooperatives selection criteria and coordinate MPCs and SACCO mapping, screening, and partnership formation.
• Design and oversee pilot implementation in priority woredas, including digital agent onboarding and financial services integration.
• Develop tools, templates, and protocols for cooperatives-based service delivery and linkage with banks.

Partnership & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison with SACCOs, SACCO unions, Cooperative Commission (ECC), and partner banks to align expectations and formalize engagement models
• Coordinate closely with Shared Facility partners to facilitate the linkage of their program participants with SACCOs and banks for onboarding, orientation, savings mobilization, and access to financial services.
• Support the planning and execution of joint activities such as community sensitization, financial literacy sessions, and pre-loan orientations with program partners and cooperatives representatives.
• Facilitate the development and signing of MoUs with SACCO unions and federations, ensuring clear roles in participant onboarding and follow-up.
• Align SACCO-level field engagement with Kifiya’s internal units (IDD, OVP, PRM, MERL) to ensure seamless integration and data capture across platforms.

Monitoring & Evidence Collection

• Design the monitoring and evidence collection framework for cooperatives cooperatives activities, in collaboration with MERL and Knowledge Management teams.
• Develop tools for field data capture (KYC onboarding, savings behavior, repayment, borrower stories, cooperatives capacity).
• Set up systems for data synchronization between cooperatives agents and Kifiya’s central platforms.
• Monitor field performance metrics (e.g. agent activity, participant onboarding, loan follow-up, digital usage).

Capacity Building & Support

• Develop and lead training programs for cooperatives staff and sub-agents on digital onboarding, credit tracking, and evidence collection.
• Provide technical assistance to cooperatives in adopting digital MIS or cooperatives-Link platforms
• Identify challenges and provide hands-on problem solving during rollout.

Learning & Documentation

• Document pilot learnings, develop scalable SACCO engagement models, and generate knowledge products (manuals, case studies, policy briefs).
• Support quarterly partner review meetings with data, insights, and recommendations for program improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Cooperative Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in rural development, cooperative management, microfinance, or financial inclusion programs, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or senior management role.
• Proven track record of successfully designing and implementing large-scale programs in rural settings, ideally involving cooperative or community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development and management with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with digital financial services or fintech solutions is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian cooperative sector and rural socio-economic context is essential.

Technical & AI Skills

• Preferably experienced in advanced data analysis (SQL, Excel, BI tools) to interpret AI‑driven insights and support decision‑making.
• Proficient in leveraging AI/ML‑powered platforms for reporting, monitoring, and partner performance forecasting.
• Familiarity with digital partnership tools (CRM/PRM) and automated data‑integration workflows.
• Solid understanding of blended finance mechanisms and digital lending ecosystems.

Analytical & Data Skills

• Advanced capability to translate quantitative findings into strategic recommendations for diverse stakeholders.
• Comfortable using BI tools and data visualization to communicate AI‑driven insights.

Behavioral Competencies

• Team player, Strategic thinker with strong execution focus.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style, with a passion for innovation and financial inclusion.