Thematic Expert- Financial Inclusion and MSME Development at Busara Center

Purpose of the Role

• The Financial Inclusion and MSME Expert brings specialist expertise in financial sector development, MSME finance, and inclusive finance mechanisms (including credit guarantees, digital financial services, and value chain finance) relevant to Uganda and the East Africa region. Across assigned Strategic Reviews, the expert leads the analysis of financial inclusion outcomes, assesses contribution to system- and ecosystem-level change in the financial sector, and contributes substantively to final review reports.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Lead the technical analysis of financial inclusion and MSME outcomes for each assigned review, including access to finance, uptake and use of credit, loan repayment performance, savings behavior, and growth in business assets and practices.
• Assess how financing mechanisms used by the implementing Partner under review (e.g. credit guarantees, blended finance, tailored credit products) have influenced lending behavior toward youth, women, refugees, and MSMEs, and whether financial institutions have become more confident serving these groups over time.
• Examine enterprise progression along the growth spectrum (micro to small to medium), including which combinations of interventions generate the strongest results for enterprise growth and job creation.
• Lead the systems and ecosystem contribution analysis under POA Question Area 4 as it relates to financial inclusion, assessing evidence that partner actions and Foundation investment are strengthening financial institutions, value chains, and the broader enabling environment for inclusive finance in Uganda.
• Contribute to each review’s desk review by assessing the Implementing Partner's financial inclusion approach against comparable and alternative inclusive finance models operating in Uganda and the East Africa region.
• Support the development and review of qualitative Inquiry content and analytical frameworks relating to financial capability, financial behavior, and enterprise outcomes.
• Lead Key Informant Interviews with Implementing Partner leadership, technical teams, and ecosystem actors (financial regulators, sector associations) relevant to financial inclusion.
• Co-author the financial inclusion, MSME outcomes, and systems contribution sections of each Strategic Review's final report, and contribute to actionable recommendations for future access-to-finance programming.

Indicative Deliverables

• Inception report with methodology and work plan.
• Technical input to the Strategic Review Questions relating to financial inclusion and MSME indicators. 
• Desk review synthesis input on financial inclusion and comparative inclusive finance models relevant to the Implementing Partner’s sector and geography. 
• Administering Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with Implementing Partner leadership, credit or finance officers, and relevant ecosystem actors (financial regulators, sector associations). 
• Technical analysis notes on financial inclusion outcomes, financing mechanism effects, and enterprise progression. 
• Interim findings presentation to the Foundation team.
• Final report (max 40 pages, excluding annexes) including executive summary, digital economy analysis chapter, recommendations, and a prioritized action matrix.
• Drafted sections of the final Strategic Review report covering financial inclusion outcomes, systems contribution, and related recommendations. 
• Participation in sensemaking and validation sessions with the Mastercard Foundation and the relevant Implementing Partner, as required.

Required Qualifications

The expert should possess

• Advanced degree in economics, finance, development studies, or a related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in financial sector development, MSME finance, or inclusive finance programming in Uganda or East Africa, including experience with at least one of: digital financial services or value chain finance.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing financial inclusion outcomes for underserved populations, including youth, women, refugees, and PWDs, within the Uganda or East African context.
• Prior experience contributing to or leading evaluations, strategic reviews, or assessments for development programs, ideally within mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) designs.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to translate technical financial data into actionable findings for non-specialist audiences including donors and implementing partners.
• Familiarity with Uganda’s financial inclusion policy landscape (e.g. National Financial Inclusion Strategy II) and with regional financial sector regulators is an advantage.
• Availability for flexible, short-term deployment across multiple assignments within the Uganda portfolio over the engagement period.