Inclusive Finance and Market Systems Programming Specialist
2026-02-18T20:33:48+00:00
Financial Sector Deepening Uganda ( FSDU )
https://cdn.ugashare.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_1553/logo/Financial%20Sector%20Deepening%20Uganda%20(%20FSDU%20).png
https://www.ugashare.com/jobs/
CONTRACTOR
Kampala
Kampala
00256
Uganda
Financial Services
Business Operations, Social Services & Nonprofit, Agribusiness, Agricultural Services & Products, Finance, Consulting
2026-02-27T17:00:00+00:00
8
About Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU)
Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU) is an independent not-for-profit company committed to promoting greater access to and usage of financial services in Uganda. FSD Uganda seeks to develop a more inclusive financial sector with a focus on low-income individuals particularly women and youth, smallholder farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and refugees.
FSD Uganda works with both public and private sector players to develop sustainable improvements in the livelihoods of low-income individuals through reduced vulnerability to shocks, increased incomes, and employment creation. We support innovation, conduct research, help promote and improve policy, laws and regulation that shape the financial sector in Uganda through targeted Technical Assistance (TA) and grants. FSD Uganda is funded by the Gates Foundation, European Union and Mastercard Foundation. We are part of a network of nine other financial inclusion organizations working in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.
The objective of the Digital Financial Services (DFS) pillar at FSD Uganda is to catalyse development of a wider, deeper and more inclusive financial market with more affordable and appropriate products/services/solutions for the underserved market segments using technology as an enabler. The pillar focuses on MSME development and Digital Finance with emphasis on the agricultural, trade and light manufacturing sectors. The pillar partners with ecosystem actors to test and pilot innovations that drive inclusive financial market development using catalytic grants and technical assistance as the key tools of change.
About the Consultancy
FSD Uganda has recently refreshed its strategy covering the period 2025 – 2029. The strategy is underpinned by four overarching strategic objectives namely:
i) Broadening access to financial services through increased outreach of Financial Services Providers (FSPs) service points, efficient and cost-effective financial markets infrastructure and an enabling policy, legal and regulatory environment for financial inclusion with a focus on women.
ii) Deepening Usage of financial services driven by adoption of customer centric approaches to business modelling and product development
iii) Diversifying Usage through increase in the range of financial solutions to allow for more efficient and effective risk management for greater household and enterprise resilience.
iv) Women Economic Empowerment through increased access to targeted and impactful economic opportunities to drive increased productivity, income levels and more meaningful engagement with the financial system.
The organization is therefore at the initial stages of a new strategy period and is currently focused on designing new innovative, impact-driven interventions that can significantly contribute to the above overarching strategic goals. The DFS Pillar has identified value chain development and women economic empowerment as key program intervention focus areas. Specifically, the pillar’s key program interventions include:
a) Digitization of Key Agricultural Value Chains
b) Institutional Development
c) Targeted Digital and Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment for women
d) Product Development/Distribution
e) Scaling out of agent networks
FSD Uganda seeks to engage an inclusive finance and market systems programming specialist to support the DFS pillar in co-designing an integrated program.
Objective of the consultancy
Under the overall supervision of the Director of Programs, the consultant will provide support in the co-design of an innovative impact-driven integrated program with a focus on agricultural value chain development and women economic empowerment and in line with the above outlined strategic goals.
Scope of work
- Refining of concept and co-design of one new tailored, innovative, impact-driven program focusing on agricultural value chain development and women economic empowerment and in line with the overall strategic goals /objectives
- Drafting at least one well written and conceptualised Program Appraisal Report (PARs), including logical Theories of Change and Results Chains, risk management frameworks and budgets
- Identifying and engaging the right set of partners necessary to achieve systems change and impact, ensuring a good understanding of the partner’s needs / expectations & determining fit with FSDU's strategic objectives and their contribution to the program portfolio
- Identifying gaps and related intervention opportunities for developing more innovative and appropriate financial products and business models that will deliver financial services to MSMEs at an affordable cost
- Co-ordinating inputs from and updates to key stakeholders, and any other activities as may be deemed necessary and relevant
Reporting Line
The Consultant will report to the Director of Programs and work closely with other technical team members.
Duration of Assignment
The consultancy will be conducted and concluded in Uganda for a recommended period of not more than 3 months or 44 working days.
Deliverables
Deliverables envisaged include the following:
- Inception report outlining the proposed approach and workplan.
- Weekly progress update reports, including design meetings/minutes and agendas
- One well written and conceptualised Program Appraisal Reports (PARs), including logical Theories of Change / Results Chains, learning and results measurement plans, risk management frameworks and budgets
Education and Experience
This role requires a highly motivated individual consultant with experience in designing practical, market-aligned financing solutions for MSMEs, agricultural, trade and light manufacturing sectors. The following qualifications and experience are sought:
Education
- A Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field, preferably economics, finance, statistics, agribusiness, etc.
- Master’s in Economics or Master’s in Finance or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or any other relevant other
Relevant Experience
- At least 10 years’ programme experience, 5 of which are in agricultural MSME financing in an emerging market context; or experience of working with agricultural MSMEs.
- Experience in program design and implementation of agricultural finance programs
- Solid knowledge and understanding of market systems development approaches, and ability to apply in a complex ecosystem
- Track record of managing complex multi-stakeholder relationships and influencing key stakeholders at a national level and across cultures; experience in building and maintaining networks and linkages
- Familiarity, and networks with major players in Uganda's agricultural, trade, light manufacturing and finance sectors
- Understanding of (young) women development issues, innovation and inclusive growth issues
- Appreciation of financial sector and business development through an MSME and Agricultural sector lens; ability to understand financial product development and business modelling.
- Refining of concept and co-design of one new tailored, innovative, impact-driven program focusing on agricultural value chain development and women economic empowerment and in line with the overall strategic goals /objectives
- Drafting at least one well written and conceptualised Program Appraisal Report (PARs), including logical Theories of Change and Results Chains, risk management frameworks and budgets
- Identifying and engaging the right set of partners necessary to achieve systems change and impact, ensuring a good understanding of the partner’s needs / expectations & determining fit with FSDU's strategic objectives and their contribution to the program portfolio
- Identifying gaps and related intervention opportunities for developing more innovative and appropriate financial products and business models that will deliver financial services to MSMEs at an affordable cost
- Co-ordinating inputs from and updates to key stakeholders, and any other activities as may be deemed necessary and relevant
- Solid knowledge and understanding of market systems development approaches, and ability to apply in a complex ecosystem
- Track record of managing complex multi-stakeholder relationships and influencing key stakeholders at a national level and across cultures; experience in building and maintaining networks and linkages
- Familiarity, and networks with major players in Uganda's agricultural, trade, light manufacturing and finance sectors
- Understanding of (young) women development issues, innovation and inclusive growth issues
- Appreciation of financial sector and business development through an MSME and Agricultural sector lens; ability to understand financial product development and business modelling.
- A Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field, preferably economics, finance, statistics, agribusiness, etc.
- Master’s in Economics or Master’s in Finance or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or any other relevant other
JOB-6996222c954b8
Vacancy title:
Inclusive Finance and Market Systems Programming Specialist
Jobs at:
Financial Sector Deepening Uganda ( FSDU )
Deadline of this Job:
Friday, February 27 2026
Duty Station:
Kampala | Kampala
Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, February 18 2026, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
JOB DETAILS:
About Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU)
Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU) is an independent not-for-profit company committed to promoting greater access to and usage of financial services in Uganda. FSD Uganda seeks to develop a more inclusive financial sector with a focus on low-income individuals particularly women and youth, smallholder farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and refugees.
FSD Uganda works with both public and private sector players to develop sustainable improvements in the livelihoods of low-income individuals through reduced vulnerability to shocks, increased incomes, and employment creation. We support innovation, conduct research, help promote and improve policy, laws and regulation that shape the financial sector in Uganda through targeted Technical Assistance (TA) and grants. FSD Uganda is funded by the Gates Foundation, European Union and Mastercard Foundation. We are part of a network of nine other financial inclusion organizations working in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.
The objective of the Digital Financial Services (DFS) pillar at FSD Uganda is to catalyse development of a wider, deeper and more inclusive financial market with more affordable and appropriate products/services/solutions for the underserved market segments using technology as an enabler. The pillar focuses on MSME development and Digital Finance with emphasis on the agricultural, trade and light manufacturing sectors. The pillar partners with ecosystem actors to test and pilot innovations that drive inclusive financial market development using catalytic grants and technical assistance as the key tools of change.
About the Consultancy
FSD Uganda has recently refreshed its strategy covering the period 2025 – 2029. The strategy is underpinned by four overarching strategic objectives namely:
i) Broadening access to financial services through increased outreach of Financial Services Providers (FSPs) service points, efficient and cost-effective financial markets infrastructure and an enabling policy, legal and regulatory environment for financial inclusion with a focus on women.
ii) Deepening Usage of financial services driven by adoption of customer centric approaches to business modelling and product development
iii) Diversifying Usage through increase in the range of financial solutions to allow for more efficient and effective risk management for greater household and enterprise resilience.
iv) Women Economic Empowerment through increased access to targeted and impactful economic opportunities to drive increased productivity, income levels and more meaningful engagement with the financial system.
The organization is therefore at the initial stages of a new strategy period and is currently focused on designing new innovative, impact-driven interventions that can significantly contribute to the above overarching strategic goals. The DFS Pillar has identified value chain development and women economic empowerment as key program intervention focus areas. Specifically, the pillar’s key program interventions include:
a) Digitization of Key Agricultural Value Chains
b) Institutional Development
c) Targeted Digital and Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment for women
d) Product Development/Distribution
e) Scaling out of agent networks
FSD Uganda seeks to engage an inclusive finance and market systems programming specialist to support the DFS pillar in co-designing an integrated program.
Objective of the consultancy
Under the overall supervision of the Director of Programs, the consultant will provide support in the co-design of an innovative impact-driven integrated program with a focus on agricultural value chain development and women economic empowerment and in line with the above outlined strategic goals.
Scope of work
- Refining of concept and co-design of one new tailored, innovative, impact-driven program focusing on agricultural value chain development and women economic empowerment and in line with the overall strategic goals /objectives
- Drafting at least one well written and conceptualised Program Appraisal Report (PARs), including logical Theories of Change and Results Chains, risk management frameworks and budgets
- Identifying and engaging the right set of partners necessary to achieve systems change and impact, ensuring a good understanding of the partner’s needs / expectations & determining fit with FSDU's strategic objectives and their contribution to the program portfolio
- Identifying gaps and related intervention opportunities for developing more innovative and appropriate financial products and business models that will deliver financial services to MSMEs at an affordable cost
- Co-ordinating inputs from and updates to key stakeholders, and any other activities as may be deemed necessary and relevant
Reporting Line
The Consultant will report to the Director of Programs and work closely with other technical team members.
Duration of Assignment
The consultancy will be conducted and concluded in Uganda for a recommended period of not more than 3 months or 44 working days.
Deliverables
Deliverables envisaged include the following:
- Inception report outlining the proposed approach and workplan.
- Weekly progress update reports, including design meetings/minutes and agendas
- One well written and conceptualised Program Appraisal Reports (PARs), including logical Theories of Change / Results Chains, learning and results measurement plans, risk management frameworks and budgets
Education and Experience
This role requires a highly motivated individual consultant with experience in designing practical, market-aligned financing solutions for MSMEs, agricultural, trade and light manufacturing sectors. The following qualifications and experience are sought:
Education
- A Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field, preferably economics, finance, statistics, agribusiness, etc.
- Master’s in Economics or Master’s in Finance or Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or any other relevant other
Relevant Experience
- At least 10 years’ programme experience, 5 of which are in agricultural MSME financing in an emerging market context; or experience of working with agricultural MSMEs.
- Experience in program design and implementation of agricultural finance programs
- Solid knowledge and understanding of market systems development approaches, and ability to apply in a complex ecosystem
- Track record of managing complex multi-stakeholder relationships and influencing key stakeholders at a national level and across cultures; experience in building and maintaining networks and linkages
- Familiarity, and networks with major players in Uganda's agricultural, trade, light manufacturing and finance sectors
- Understanding of (young) women development issues, innovation and inclusive growth issues
- Appreciation of financial sector and business development through an MSME and Agricultural sector lens; ability to understand financial product development and business modelling.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 120
Level of Education: postgraduate degree
Job application procedure
Application Link: Click Here to Apply Now
The deadline for receiving applications is 27th February, 2026.