Career with BRAC Microfinance Sierra Leone Limited

BRAC Microfinance (SL) Limited started its operation in Sierra Leone since 2008 with different microfinance and enterprise products. We are the largest microfinance service provider in Sierra Leone. We operate through a network of 41 branches in 14 districts across the country. Our objectives are to increase access to financial services for marginalized families, initiate sustainable micro-enterprises and strengthen institutional structures for the effective management of microcredit systems. We employ 300 plus credit officers, all of whom are women. Emphasizing women entrepreneurship as our target for financial inclusion of the discriminated members of society.

BRAC Microfinance (SL) Limited believes that every person has inherent potential, and when an enabling environment is created and that potential is unleashed, even the poorest can become agents of positive change in their own lives, for their families and their communities.

Our Microfinance programme provides a range of financial services responsively to people at the bottom of the pyramid. We particularly focus on women living in poverty in rural and hard-to-reach areas to create self-employment opportunities, build financial resilience, and harness women’s entrepreneurial spirit by empowering them economically”.

Position:  Digital Financial Services Manager

JOB PURPOSE:

The Digital Financial Services (DFS) Manager will drive the implementation of BRAC Microfinance Sierra Leone Limited (BMSLL) digital strategies that aim to increase outreach, deliver a superior customer experience, increase organizational efficiency, and find the right balance between tech and touch for BMSLL customers.

The DFS Manager will drive innovation and coordinate the digitalization of the BMSLL’s field operations, the implementation of digital delivery channels and the development and delivery of innovative DFS appropriate for BMSLL customers.

The DFS Manager will think creatively to innovate new uses for technology to address access, usage, literacy, security, and other barriers limiting the use of DFS by BRAC’s existing and target customers especially women and youth.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

DFS Strategy and Innovation

• DFS Manager will drive the implementation of BMSLL digital strategies and action plans to increase outreach, deliver a superior customer experience, increase organizational efficiency, and find the right balance between tech and touch for BMSLL customers.

• DFS Manager will work closely with BMSLL management to provide strategic input and thought leadership on the use of DFS to better meet the needs and improve the livelihoods of BMSLL existing and target customers especially women and youth.

• DFS Manager will conduct periodic analysis and review of BMSLL implementation of existing DFS strategies and its alignment to the BMSLL’s overall strategic business plan to ensure the use of DFS and technology is well aligned and is contributing to the achievement of BMSLL overall business strategy.

• Conduct market assessments to inform the refinement of DFS strategy and development of market-led and innovative technology-enabled financial solutions that meet the needs of BMSLL existing and target customers.

Digital Processes, Channels and Products: 

• DFS Manager will design, test, refine and implement DFS projects at BMSLL. S/he will develop and implement DFS project-specific pilot and scale up plans and activities including customer needs analysis, business requirements analysis, detailed project implementation planning, reporting, and change management to maximize the impact of DFS projects on business and customers.

• Develop detailed functional requirements for DFS tools and applications and coordinate the different functions/departments to implement DFS and work with the teams to adapt their processes and products accordingly.

• Monitor and track the progress of DFS projects to ensure project activities are achieved in an effective, efficient and timely manner.

• Design and implement monitoring surveys and use survey findings to refine and improve BRAC’s processes and products and enhance the customer experience in using DFS.

• Continuous training and handholding of BMSLL’s staff in defining and implementing business case and value proposition for DFS channels and products, piloting and scaling of DFS including documenting and sharing of lessons learned from the implementation of DFS projects

• Design and implement client and staff digital training programs in collaboration with relevant BMSLL departments/functions. This includes designing digital training content, training plans and training delivery

• Disseminate and share knowledge and lessons learned among the different BI MF countries to support the implementation of organizational best practices for designing and implementing different digital projects in BI MF

• Collaborate with industry stakeholders to design, develop, test and refine digital solutions under a structured environment and with ready-to-use tools.

• Support BMSLL to develop/refine and implement digital-related policies, procedures and standards in alignment with BMSLL digital strategies.

• Work with marketing and communication teams to design effective marketing campaigns and communication to enhance the adoption and active usage of DFS.

• Cooperate with BI MF digital transformation, IT, operations and other relevant teams in the implementation of BMSLL’s DFS strategies and action plans.

Develop and manage relationships with third parties such as digital solutions suppliers, FinTechs, developers etc.

Market and Ecosystem Intelligence

• Keep an active watch on digital technologies available in the market that may improve the quality and efficiency of BMSLL field operations, and product and service delivery.

Work with other enabling stakeholders, such as regulators, universities, governments, think tanks, BRAC’s fundraising teams, and others to innovate and maximize DFS for impact.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the programme’s goals of safeguarding implementation. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.

• Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure safeguarding standards are implemented in every course of action.

• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure if any reportable incident occurs, and encourage others to do so.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Master or Bachelor’s Degree in ICT, Engineering, Business/ Finance related field/ Economics, Statistics

EXPERIENCE (required):

• Five years of related experience working in financial inclusion, product development, digital finance, microfinance/micro-lending, technology for development, and/or payments platforms.

• Substantial exposure to DFS strategy management, with direct exposure to top management strategy formulation and decision-making. Exposure to a wide range of strategic decision-making processes and as a result have become comfortable assessing business processes and requirements to inform the design and implementation of DFS projects.

• Substantial exposure in conducting customer-centric research for DFS and using customer insights to drive DFS adoption, usage, and impact

• Substantial exposure in implementing digital field applications, mobile payments agent banking, and/or other DFS projects

• Experience in project management

• Experience working with MNOs, FinTech, financial institutions, regulators is an added advantage.

• Bachelor Degree in IT/Engineering/ Business Administration/ Finance/Economics, Development Studies

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES: (required)

• In-depth understanding of the key drivers in a digital product/emerging technology business.

• Insight into the way that digital transformation is affecting industry and knowledge of best practices.

• Experience in digital project management, including technological aspects that enabled you to develop skills in understanding business needs and transcribing them into functional specifications for digital tools.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to translate complex technological implementation language to non-technical people. Able to demonstrate effective analytical skills, an ability to translate raw information into actionable strategies and initiatives as well as the ability to perform standard analyses such as performance analyses, competitor analyses, market analyses, etc.

• Familiarity and experience with microfinance preferred.

• Excellent attention to detail and experience in managing multiple projects

• Drive, flexibility, resilience and the ability to work under pressure.

• Fluency in English required (spoken, reading and written)

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full Time

JOB LOCATION: Country Office – Freetown

If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please follow the application instructions accordingly:

Interested candidates need to send a letter of interest indicating the title of the position applied for, an updated CV mentioning educational grades, through email to:

recruitment.sierraleone@brac.net

OR by hand to our BMSLL Country Office – 2 Samuel Bannister Drive, Wilberforce, Freetown.

Only completed applications will be accepted and shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application deadline: 10th February, 2023

BRAC Microfinance (SL) Limited is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and clients / beneficiaries to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation – regardless of age, race, religion, gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment process includes extensive reference and background checks, self-disclosure of prior issues regarding sexual or other misconduct and criminal records and our values are a part of our Performance Management System.

BRAC Microfinance (SL) Limited is an equal opportunities employer.