Associate, Customer Strategy and Impact - MEA, Accion Advisory

 

About Accion:

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the 1.6 billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 299 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 77 countries, reaching over 500 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.

 

About Accion Advisory:

Accion Advisory is a global team helping companies deliver innovative, affordable financial solutions for underserved customers in emerging markets. We work with local ecosystem partners, leveraging philanthropic capital and new technologies, to test, improve, and scale solutions that strengthen economic well‑being.

 

Our 60+ advisors deliver 30+ active projects across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, collaborating with financial service providers, fintech companies, digital platforms, and other stakeholders to demonstrate the viability of reaching end customers often considered too risky or costly to serve. Through AI- and data-driven digital transformation and embedded financial products, we drive impact across four key pillars: livelihoods, agriculture, climate, and women's economic empowerment.

 

Position Summary: 

The Associate, Customer Strategy & Impact supports the design and delivery of customer-centric strategies that enhance customer acquisition, engagement, retention, and financial outcomes, particularly for underserved and MSME segments. This position will support three components of Accion Advisory’s work:

• Project Assignments: as part of which the candidate will support customer research and translating customer insights, behavioral data, and market dynamics into scalable growth strategies and improved customer experiences.
• Business Development: support concept note and proposal development and other efforts to grow Accion Advisory’s revenue and partner networks in MEA.
• Internal Innovation: support the deepening of Accion Advisory’s technical expertise and thought leadership in key areas.

The Associate works closely with other Advisory colleagues such as the product lead, data analytics lead and Senior Associate, Customer Engagement and Growth, to strengthen Advisory’s MEA partners' capabilities for attracting, serving, and retaining customers through data-driven engagement, digital channels, and human-centered solutions.   

   

Position Responsibilities:

Project Assignments

• Contribute to the development of project execution strategies, especially as related to end customer engagement and success, including but not limited to the following: customer research, designing/enhancing meaningful customer journeys, conducting product gaps and needs assessment, creating impactful go-to-market strategies to promote product adoption, etc.
• Conduct market scans and analyze key trends (e.g. regulation, technological changes, competition, etc.) to identify market opportunities or risks and threats.
• Translate user insights and data into clear strategic opportunities, prototypes, solution pathways, and recommendations. 
• Support Product lead(s) and other team members in the end-to-end design and roll out of innovative solutions for key customer segments.
• Apply Design Thinking and strategic design methodologies to frame challenges, extract insights, and develop solution concepts.
• Build business cases and similar models to support the design and delivery of commercially viable solutions.
• Lead or support product and project impact monitoring activities as required for each engagement.

Business Development

• Support partner selection, project implementation activities and general business development, especially as related to Accion Advisory’s strategic priorities.
• Clarify Accion Advisory’s value proposition through the development and/or enhancement of marketing, business development and other internal collateral
• Conduct landscape assessment in priority markets to identify high-impact Advisory opportunities and partnerships
• Support concept note and proposal development
• Follow up with relevant parties and action items as may be needed, to ensure continued momentum and closure of collaboration opportunities.

Internal Innovation

• Support internal innovation through active engagement in identification and recommendation of innovative solutions to improve internal work processes.
• Support the documentation, packaging and sharing of methodologies, toolkits, best practices, and learning assets to strengthen Accion Advisory’s service offerings and internal practices. 
• Contribute to external-facing publications such as blogs, long-form reports and other pieces that contribute to Accion Advisory’s thought-leadership and industry engagement.

  

Position Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience working in a reputed consulting organization or fintech or financial services provider.
• Master’s degree or equivalent with a background in or inclination toward information technology, financial services, or social sector is preferred.
• Demonstrated fluency in financial modelling tools such as Excel.
• Innovative mind-set and fresh perspective to the design and development of new and existing business models to support clients in achieving breakthrough results.
• Passion for the social sector and keenness toward technology-enabled business models.
• Ability to study and quickly understand business processes, team dynamics and customer needs.
• Ability to structure and scope complex problems and apply a range of analytical tools to develop solutions. 
• Ability to create visually appealing presentations.
• Ability to work independently and deliver agreed outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; French is a bonus.
• Excellent people skills, experience with multi-cultural environments is preferred.
• Proven multi-tasking skills with a positive, can-do attitude and an approach of “every job is important.”
• Curious mindset & demonstrated initiative to learn the developments in fintech and financial inclusion domain, an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Interest in our mission and working globally.
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect, and passion for social change.

Travel Requirements:

• Willingness to travel (25-30%).

 

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.