Local Financial Services Specialist – Philippines

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Local Financial Services Specialist for a finance, private sector consultancy assignment financed by UNIDO in Philippines.

Aninver Development Partners SL is currently preparing a proposal for an upcoming UNIDO-funded consultancy assignment in the Philippines. The initiative focuses on fostering an enabling environment for sustainable peace and development through private sector and financial sector interventions in vulnerable target regions.

We are seeking a qualified Local Financial Services Specialist to support a comprehensive assessment of business development and financial services, including a detailed mapping of service providers. The expert will play a critical role in generating evidence-based insights to improve economic opportunities and financial inclusion for target communities.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Deliver a robust assessment of existing business development and financial services in the target regions.
• Conduct a comprehensive mapping and inventory of financial and business service providers.
• Identify access barriers, coverage gaps, and opportunities for strengthening local financial institutions.
• Establish reliable baselines and propose measurable targets for project indicators.
• Integrate gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive, and human rights-based approaches across all deliverables.

Scope of work

• Map the supply of financial services and business development services available to agribusinesses, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs.
• Analyze the regulatory and institutional environment, including Islamic and Shariah-compliant finance.
• Construct a structured inventory database of public and private financial providers, banks, cooperatives, and microfinance institutions.
• Conduct key informant interviews with regulators, financial institutions, and local stakeholders.
• Perform demand-side validation and enterprise interviews to verify shortlisted service providers.
• Develop capacity strengthening plans and provider selection matrices for targeted interventions.

Your role as Local Financial Services Specialist

• Lead local financial sector assessments and data collection activities within the target regions.
• Analyze the availability and accessibility of financial services, including microfinance and Shariah-compliant financial products.
• Contribute to the mapping and inventory of financial service providers using structured templates.
• Engage with key stakeholders, regulators, and financial institutions through interviews and focus groups.
• Identify coverage gaps and formulate actionable recommendations to improve access to finance.
• Support the establishment of baselines and targets for project output indicators.
• Contribute to inception reports, assessment deliverables, and final presentations for validation workshops.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of professional experience relevant to financial services, private sector development, or economic inclusion.
• Demonstrated exposure to development projects, ideally in developing country contexts such as the Philippines.
• Strong expertise in financial sector assessments, banking, microfinance, or Islamic and Shariah-compliant finance.
• Proven ability to conduct stakeholder consultations, qualitative research, and data analysis.
• Fluency in English (written and oral), with proficiency in local languages or dialects being a strong advantage.
• National of, or based in, the project country

Desirable

• Prior experience working with UN agencies or international donors on private sector development initiatives.
• Familiarity with the socio-economic context and regional dynamics of Mindanao.
• Demonstrated expertise in gender-responsive programming and financial inclusion for vulnerable groups.

An experienced financial services professional with a strong background in private sector development, provider mapping, and financial inclusion in developing contexts.

Assignment details

• Location: Philippines
• Financed by: UNIDO
• Sector: Finance, private sector
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a UNIDO-financed project in Philippines.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? This position requires a national of, or a professional based in, the project country.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.