The consultant will support ESCWA in assessing key barriers to financial inclusion within the handicraft sector in Egypt. To achieve this, the consultant will undertake the following activities: 1.a. Design and develop a structured questionnaire aimed at uncovering the main barriers to financial inclusion in the handicraft sector. The questionnaire will target a sample of workers in the handicraft sector as respondents. The consultant will ensure that the questionnaire: - is complemented with background research to justify the rational behind question selection and design, - builds on selected FII indicators as an overarching reference framework.
Responsibilities:
Support the overall design of the consultation and provide substantive input to the agenda.
The consultant will participate in the consultation to facilitate discussions, deliver presentations, and/or moderate sessions.
Contribute to identifying stakeholders and securing their participation in the consultation, particularly institutions representing the handicraft sector (e.g., cooperatives, artisans, associations, etc.), financial institutions (e.g., banks, microfinance providers, foundations), and private sector actors such as fintech companies.
Provide input/insights to a report summarizing the outcomes of the consultation including key discussion points, identified gaps and priorities, opportunities for collaboration and follow-up.
Develop an action plan to guide Egypt’s efforts in enhancing financial inclusion within the handicraft sector.
This strategic document will synthesize findings from the pilot survey and national consultation, identify persistent gaps – particularly behavioural – in access and usage of financial products and services, and highlight opportunities for policy reform as well as targeted interventions by different stakeholders, with clear linkages to the FII.
The consultant will develop a roadmap for scaling and replication in other countries.
Replication will involve identifying potential financial inclusion initiatives that can be adapted and implemented in other Member States.
This process will also highlight common barriers and opportunities faced by underserved groups across different contexts.
Scaling will focus on expanding to the regional level, paving the way for the development of a regional framework for financial inclusion.
Coordination and follow-up with the consultant will be done through e-mails, phone calls and virtual meetings.
Requirements:
A post-graduate university degree in economics, finance, international development, behavioral science, public policies, or a related field is required.
All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
At least 10 years of professional work experience in financial inclusion, development research, or policy analysis is required.
Proven experience in designing and implementing surveys and questionnaires is required.
Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating multi stakeholder consultations, workshops, or policy dialogues is required.
A focus on underserved sectors or populations is desirable.
Familiarity with the handicraft sector and/or MSMEs in the Arab region, particularly Egypt, is desirable. Experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this consultancy, fluency in English and Arabic is required.
