MSME Access to Finance Assessment and Approach Consultant

Prosper Global

3d • Remote

About The Position

Prosper Global is seeking a consultant to conduct a regional assessment of MSME finance and financial inclusion in the Caribbean, with a particular focus on the target jurisdictions of the Strengthening Caribbean Economic Growth (SCEG) program. The consultant will also develop a Responsive MSME Finance Approach Paper to guide program design and future engagement. This initiative aims to address the constraints that MSME participants face in accessing and using appropriate financial services, particularly credit, to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. The assessment and approach paper will analyze the state of financial inclusion for MSMEs in the sectors targeted by SCEG, identify constraints and opportunities on both the supply and demand sides, map key financial actors, and provide recommendations for future partnerships, interventions, and funding proposals. The findings will be reviewed and validated at a workshop in February 2027 with partner CSOs, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of experience working in and supporting financial inclusion, preferably in the Caribbean.
• Demonstrated experience conducting assessments, actor mapping, completing reports, and developing financial inclusion approaches/strategies.
• Strong knowledge of the financial services sector in the Caribbean.
• A wide network of contacts within the financial services sector in the Caribbean.
• Expertise in financial inclusion, private sector engagement, market system development (MSD), and market assessments.
• Ability to work independently and conduct remote interviews.
• Ability to work professionally in English.
• Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a regional assessment of MSME finance and financial inclusion in the Caribbean, focusing on seven jurisdictions and neighboring regions for regional providers.
• Analyze the current provision of financial services to MSMEs, including financial service providers (FSPs), products, collateral requirements, terms, conditions, fees, market segmentation, and distribution channels.
• Identify specific institutions willing and able to extend services to current SCEG program participants and explore financial product innovations like fintech.
• Assess the financing needs, opportunities, and constraints of SCEG participant MSMEs through interviews with CSOs and selected MSMEs.
• Evaluate existing risk-sharing, guarantee, and blended finance mechanisms and identify opportunities to expand or strengthen them.
• Review key ecosystem and regulatory factors affecting MSME finance, such as credit information systems, collateral frameworks, and digital finance regulations.
• Develop a Responsive MSME Finance Approach Paper outlining how Prosper Global can ensure participant SMEs access and use quality financial products, particularly credit.
• Make recommendations on priority MSME sectors, priority partnerships with FSPs and other stakeholders, how CSOs will engage with FSPs, Prosper Global's comparative advantage and role, and a high-level plan for future pathways, partnerships, and interventions.
• Support the design and preparation of a workshop, including creating presentations, facilitation materials, and discussion questions.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed