About Self Help Africa
 
Established in 1984, Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture and agri-enterprise development to address hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impacts of climate change. We believe that equitable economic development is key to lifting communities out of long-term poverty, empowering them to take control of their futures and improving their quality of life.
 
Our current five-year organisation strategy, defines our mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources.
 
Our three core values are:
▪ Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change.
▪ Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing World.
▪ Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships.

Self Help Africa is currently recruiting a Financial Inclusion Officer for the South Hub. This role is pivotal in the restructuring of our interventions, focusing on professionalising community-based financial institutions.

Job Purpose:

The Financial Inclusion Officer will be responsible for the successful implementation of the financial inclusion and Business Development Services (BDS) components of the project in Kindo Kosha. The primary objective is to support the informal and formal community-based structure and professionalise Village Economic and Social Associations (VESAs) and RuSACCOs, transitioning them from informal groups to sustainable, profitable, farmer-led financial institutions. The officer will drive the integration of Risk Retention (Savings), Prudent Risk Taking (Credit/Enterprise Development), and Risk Transfer (Micro-insurance), where applicable, to build community resilience and create market linkages. This role requires a hands-on technical expert capable of auditing ledgers, training illiterate members in the local language, and linking agriculture with finance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Planning, Implementation, and Technical Support

• Oversees the preparation and implementation of financial literacy activity work plans and budgets in close coordination with the cluster coordinator.
• Provides specific technical support in financial inclusion planning and implementation activities.
• Develops and implements annual operational plans; monitors and evaluates the project participants’ savings and small enterprises (Business Development) activities.
• Identifies the training needs of VESAs/RuSACCOs and smallholder enterprises.
• Build the technical and business capacity of project participants.

2. Institutional Strengthening (RuSACCOs & VESAs)

• Guide to build the VESAs/RuSACCOs’ capacity and skills for their members and elected leaders so they can contribute effectively to the development of their VESAs/RuSACCOs.
• Coach and Mentor VESAs/RuSACCOs leaders and committee members on proper bookkeeping and financial management.
• Create awareness among management committee members on their duties and responsibilities set in the by-laws of their respective institutions.
• Ensure/support that the RuSACCOs are following a standard and appropriate accounting system.
• Support the committee of the VESAs/RuSACCOs in establishing standard operations and management procedures.
• Encourage and support VESAs/RuSACCOs to record all transactions monthly.
• Support the VESAs/RuSACCOs to maintain an adequate liquidity reserve in accordance with rules and regulations.

3. Business Development Services (BDS) & Market Linkages

• Develop a BDS development plan for the VESAs/RuSACCOs and smallholder enterprises.
• Support the project team and VESA’s/RuSACCOs to develop an updated business plan for their operation and Income Generating Activities (IGA).
• Support project participants in the development of their own business plans.
• Assesses project target beneficiaries, especially women’s need for market information, and identifies market outlets for their agricultural products.
• Support the participants with assets or with working capital, linking with the project revolving fund and/or other microfinance service providers.

4. Monitoring, Control, and Compliance

• Monitor the disbursement, saving, credit, and other accounting and banking activities in accordance with the established policies, procedures, rules, agreements, contracts, or norms of the VESAs/RuSACCOs, as appropriate.
• Undertake strict follow-up on disbursed loans to protect against loan default.
• Reports in writing immediately to the Supervisor irregularities such as forgery, theft, misappropriation, management and member misconduct, or misbehaviour discovered and takes appropriate measures without delay.

5. Reporting and Data Management

• Prepare and maintain a database related to VESAs/RuSACCOs loan disbursement, repayment, and utilisation.
• Documenting/reporting respective project activities for ad-hoc, monthly, and annual reports.
• Assist in timely and accurate documentation, publication, and dissemination of the business development and financial literacy activities. This includes success stories, lessons learned, etc.
• Perform other duties given by her/his supervisor.

6. Cross Cutting theme:

• Conduct safeguarding risk assessments within activities to identify and mitigate risks of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other harm.
• Ensure the financial inclusion activities and services are safe, gender-sensitive, inclusive, and accessible to women, children, and persons with disabilities.
• Maintain and promote accessible complaints and feedback mechanisms, ensuring communities understand how to report concerns safely.
• Deliver safeguarding briefings and training to staff, contractors, and community volunteers, ensuring adherence to the Code of Conduct.
• Monitor field sites for safeguarding risks and take timely corrective action.
• Report safeguarding trends and incidents appropriately and escalate gaps in safeguarding practices to management.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Project Manager (Line Manager)
• Financial Inclusion Advisor (Technical Lead)
• Roving Senior Financial Inclusion Officer (Technical Mentor)
• Agriculture Officer (South Hub – counterpart)
• SHA Ethiopia Country Office Team

External

• Government Cooperative Promotion Agency (Govt)
• RuSACCO Unions and Primary Cooperatives
• Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)
• Other International and Local NGOs,
• Private Sector Actors & Business Mentors
• Business Advisors and Mentors.

Qualifications/Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Education: BA/BSc degree in Cooperative Accounting, Cooperative Auditing, Agricultural Economics, or a related discipline.
• Experience: At least three (3) years of relevant working experience, preferably in an NGO environment or Cooperative Union. Previous experience in providing Business Development Services (capacity building) to small businesses and working in microfinance institutions (MFIs) would be a distinct advantage
• Technical Skill: Proven experience in Auditing and providing Business Development Services (BDS) to small businesses or cooperatives.
• Coordination: Capacity and maturity to establish and maintain links with government officials, RuSACCO Unions and primary coops.
• Communication:  Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Language: Fluency in Wolayttatto (both written and spoken) is Mandatory. Candidates must be able to translate complex financial concepts into the local dialect for community members.
• Reporting: Experience in report writing, data collection and documentation
• English: Demonstrable good command of English (written and spoken) for reporting purposes.
• Computer Skill and Learning: Computer literacy, particularly in financial packages and the ability to adapt and learn new programmes
• Context: Deep understanding of the Wolaita zone context and rural financial dynamics.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in MS Excel and financial software packages.
• Ethics: Ability to sort, handle, and care for sensitive financial matters and observe strict confidentiality.

Desirables:

• Ability to collect, analyse, and interpret financial data;
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder working environments
• Demonstrated knowledge in the management of projects, preferably rural finance-related projects
• Ability to devise and operate standard management and operational programs on RuSACCOs development,
• Ability to control assets and financial resources;
• Experience working in an NGO setting.
• Ability to work and act under pressure;

How to Apply:

Full Job Description here.

Please complete the application form and upload your CV and Cover Letter outlining your suitability for the role here.

The closing date for applications is Friday 13th March 2026.

Self Help Africa is an Equal Opportunities Employer
All candidates offered a job with Self Help Africa will be expected to sign Self Help Africa’s Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.  Specific roles may require Police/DBS/ vetting.

Important information:

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre-employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Research shows that women and those from marginalised ethnic groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align with every criteria described, we encourage you to apply anyway, you could be exactly what we need!

Self Help Africa is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.