Asia - External Consultant - Philippines

About Accion:

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two 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 267 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching 440 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.

Individual Consulting Agreement

Annex A - Statement of Work

General Information:

Scope of Work

The consultant will act as Accion's local representative in the Philippines and be involved in:

I. Acting as a local liaison and supporting execution and implementation of ongoing projects in the region

a. In this role the consultant will ensure that product design, user experience, and local market insights are effectively integrated into all project's deliveries.

b. Identify and manage all external third parties such as agencies that support specific delivery, such as development of UI/UX enhancements/improvements, research agencies supporting data collections etc.

II. Support ongoing business development activities in Asia with a focus on Philippines and Indonesia. This would include:

a. Identification and initial reach out to potential partners to execute financial inclusion driven projects with FSPs, fintech, platforms etc. in the regions.

b. Acting as a liaison between Accion's BD team and potential partners, i.e. making introductions, supporting discussions, pitching ideas etc.

Deliverables

The relevant activities, deliverables, milestones, and timing are as follows:

Pipeline of 3-5 potential partners in Philippines/Indonesia
1. Support on project execution for 1-2 projects in the region:

a. UX/UI vendors onboarded, coordinated, and delivering against a clear set of product requirements

b. Field research insights translated into user personas and prioritized pain points

c. First set of improved customer journey maps and wireframes reviewed and approved by Accion and implementing partners

d. Accion and implementing partner teams view the consultant as a trusted interface and catalyst, reducing response delays and misalignment

Project Schedule

All work will be completed between October 2025 and September 2026 unless the engagement is extended and approved by Accion in writing, or a new SOW is entered into.

Other Project-Specific Terms and Conditions

NA

Nature of this SOW

This SOW is an integral and material part of the Individual Consulting Agreement between the Parties.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in product design/digital product design, or product management in banking, or e-commerce.
• Proven track record in designing, delivery and scaling of financial product to customer ideally through a mix of traditional and nontraditional digital channels in emerging markets, particularly in the Philippines.
• Deep familiarity with digital financial services (loans, payments, wallets, BNPL, microfinance) and/or B2B commerce apps (inventory ordering, small business enablement).
• Hands-on experience in product design and implementation using design thinking methodologies, customer research, and usability testing.
• Ability to bridge strategy and execution - comfortable engaging senior stakeholders (CEOs, product owners) while also working with execution teams such as product managers, designers and engineers.
• Strong communication skills (English and Tagalog must) to manage workshops, interviews, and daily coordination.
• Strong facilitation and synthesis skills: able to turn field insights into actionable product requirements for product design and delivery
• Preferably familiar with start-up style, agile sprints and MVP launch cycles.
• Previous consulting or cross-cultural advisory experience is a plus.
• Interested in our mission and working globally.
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.
• Excellence: Accion staff should always put forth their best effort in all activities, strive for high quality of collective and individual performance; and demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times while in the workplace and while working on behalf of the organization.
• Respect: Accion staff should value one another's roles and responsibilities as much as their own, be encouraging, and value the diverse and unique perspectives of colleagues. They should honor obligations and commitments to each other and to external partners.
• Passion for Social Change: Accion staff should be committed to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, value the greater good of the organization over personal gain, and promote a productive workplace by acknowledging the accomplishments of others.

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.