About DEC
Development Exchange Centre (DEC) is a non-governmental, non-discriminating, women-focused organization improving the wellbeing of women groups and communities in Nigeria through socioeconomic interventions for sustainable development. DEC was established in November 1987 due to joint research conducted by the Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) and the Adult and Non-Formal Education Agency (ANFEA) Bauchi State.
Background
Development Exchange Centre (DEC) is a lead partner on access to finance within the consortium led by MEDA under the Resilient and Inclusive Agrifood Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) Project. The project, implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) with funding from the Government of Canada throughGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC), seeks to economically empower women and enhance food security. It does so by improving the productivity and climate resilience of women and youth smallholder farmers in key agricultural value chains, while also strengthening the performance of women- and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kano States in Northern Nigeria.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Access to Finance Manager
Location: Bauchi
Reports Line: Project Director/Consortium Lead
Time Allocation: Full time.
Duration: Five-year
Purpose of the Role:
The Access to Finance Project Manager will lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of the financial inclusion components of the RISE Project. The role will ensure that project beneficiaries—particularly women, youth, and smallholder farmers—gain sustainable access to appropriate financial services. The position will also coordinate with consortium partners to deliver project objectives in line with MEDA and donor (GAC) standards.
Key Functions & Responsibilities
- Financial Planning and Management
- Lead the development and implementation of access-to-finance strategies within the RISE project.
- Develop and monitor work plans, budgets, and timelines for finance-related components of the RISE project. Identify risks and propose mitigation strategies for access-to-finance interventions.
2. Consortium Coordination
- Coordinate with consortium partners (Sahel Consulting, AFEX, FOMWAN, WIBFO, DEC, Extension Africa, Emeraid Capital, etc.) to ensure integrated delivery of financial inclusion activities.
- Supervise project staff and provide technical guidance on financial inclusion.
- Build capacity of consortium partners and field teams by providing training, mentoring, and technical support on financial management and reporting standards.
- Represent the project in finance-related stakeholder engagements, including with government, private sector, and donor representatives.
3. Reporting and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, accountability standards, and reporting obligations.
- Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress
- Measure project performance using the appropriate tools
- Track, monitor and Analyze project performance to ensure successful project implementation.
- Manage comprehensive documentation of the project
- Prepare relevant reports and share with partners and management
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Line Supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Degree or HND in Accounting, Finance, or related field (professional certification such as CIBN, ICAN/ACCA is also required. Development Economics, Business Administration, Agriculture, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in access-to-finance, microfinance, or donor-funded development projects.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects.
- Strong leadership, partnership-building, and report-writing skills.
Application Closing Date:
19 October 2025.
Method of Application:
Suitably qualified candidates should forward their detailed resume/CV and cover letter in a single file to: [email protected] in a word document or PDF format (as any other format would not be considered) using the Job Title as the subject of the email.
Note:
- DEC is an equal-opportunity employer. Only applications submitted through the given channel and within the given period will be considered.
- Women are encouraged to apply for this exciting opportunity.
- DEC brings to the attention of the public that applying for any position is free of charge. No processing fee is required for your application.
- You are not to give any kind of gratification to submit your application.
- Any person found to be paying for or giving any form of gratification will be disqualified.
- Applications will be shortlisted on a rolling basis
- You are requested to report any person demanding/giving payment or gratification via [email protected].
