Financial Inclusion Lead
Organizational Background
Rikolto International and Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) are implementing the Cocoa Livelihoods and Ecosystem Resilience (CLEAR) project, a four-year initiative (2026-2030) that aims to contribute to the transformation of Ghana's cocoa sector by addressing the systemic constraints limiting productivity, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic opportunities. The project directly targets 10,000 smallholder cocoa farmers (at least 40% women) across the Western and Central Regions of Ghana and indirectly reach an estimated 40,000 additional household members. CLEAR will pilot its models in the Western Region before scaling to the Central Region in the final two years of implementation.
Position Summary
The Financial Inclusion Lead will provide strategic and technical leadership for all financial inclusion interventions under the CLEAR Project. The role aims to strengthen access to inclusive, affordable, and sustainable financial services for smallholder cocoa farmers, women, youth, farmer organizations, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), Apex VSLAs, and rural Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
The position will lead the design and implementation of innovative financial solutions that improve farmers' ability to invest in farm rehabilitation, climate-smart agriculture, professional labour services, income diversification, and enterprise development. The Financial Inclusion Lead will build partnerships with commercial banks, community banks, microfinance institutions, insurance providers, fintechs, and other financial service providers to expand financial inclusion across the project landscape.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the design and implementation of the CLEAR Project’s financial inclusion strategy, ensuring that interventions effectively contribute to improved productivity, income diversification, and financial resilience.
Lead the design and implementation of the CLEAR Project’s financial inclusion strategy, ensuring that interventions effectively contribute to improved productivity, income diversification, and financial resilience.
Analyze financial market opportunities, barriers and emerging trends affecting the project’s primary stakeholders and use the findings to inform intervention design, partnerships and adaptive management.
Analyze financial market opportunities, barriers and emerging trends affecting the project’s primary stakeholders and use the findings to inform intervention design, partnerships and adaptive management.
Lead the mapping, assessment and strengthening of existing VSLAs, and support the establishment of new groups where gaps in access to community-based financial services are identified.
Lead the mapping, assessment and strengthening of existing VSLAs, and support the establishment of new groups where gaps in access to community-based financial services are identified.
Strengthen the sustainability and governance of VSLAs by developing and promoting appropriate operational systems, governance structures and capacity-building support.
Strengthen the sustainability and governance of VSLAs by developing and promoting appropriate operational systems, governance structures and capacity-building support.
Lead the formation and institutional strengthening of Apex VSLAs, including building the capacity of their leadership in governance, financial management, risk management, and facilitating the integration of eligible VSLAs established by other development partners.
Lead the formation and institutional strengthening of Apex VSLAs, including building the capacity of their leadership in governance, financial management, risk management, and facilitating the integration of eligible VSLAs established by other development partners.
Develop and manage strategic partnerships with financial service providers and relevant stakeholders to expand access to inclusive financial services for smallholder farmers, VSLAs, farmer organizations and rural Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
Develop and manage strategic partnerships with financial service providers and relevant stakeholders to expand access to inclusive financial services for smallholder farmers, VSLAs, farmer organizations and rural Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
Facilitate the development, piloting and scaling of tailored financial products and innovative financing mechanisms that respond to the needs and cash flows of target groups, with particular attention to reducing barriers for women and youth.
Facilitate the development, piloting and scaling of tailored financial products and innovative financing mechanisms that respond to the needs and cash flows of target groups, with particular attention to reducing barriers for women and youth.
Facilitate access to finance for investment-ready rural enterprises, particularly women- and youth-led businesses, through financial assessments, business model support and linkages to BDS providers, investors and appropriate financing opportunities.
Facilitate access to finance for investment-ready rural enterprises, particularly women- and youth-led businesses, through financial assessments, business model support and linkages to BDS providers, investors and appropriate financing opportunities.
Qualifications and Experience
Master’s degree in Finance, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
Master’s degree in Finance, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
Professional certifications in microfinance, agricultural finance, banking, or financial inclusion will be an advantage
Professional certifications in microfinance, agricultural finance, banking, or financial inclusion will be an advantage
Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial inclusion, rural finance, microfinance, agricultural finance, or enterprise development.
Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial inclusion, rural finance, microfinance, agricultural finance, or enterprise development.
Demonstrated experience working with VSLAs, cooperatives, and rural MSEs
Demonstrated experience working with VSLAs, cooperatives, and rural MSEs
Proven experience engaging financial institutions and developing financial products for rural populations.
Proven experience engaging financial institutions and developing financial products for rural populations.
Experience within cocoa, agriculture, or rural livelihoods sectors is highly desirable.
Experience within cocoa, agriculture, or rural livelihoods sectors is highly desirable.