The Market Research Consultant will lead and execute end-to-end market research initiatives for a microfinance-focused project. This role is critical in providing data-driven insights to support the development of financial products and marketing strategies that resonate with underserved and low-income populations in Egypt. The consultant will guide the client through a deeper understanding of customer needs competitive landscape and market dynamics to support financial inclusion.
- Develop comprehensive research frameworks tailored to microfinance services.
- Identify key research questions related to access to finance borrowing behavior repayment capacity and financial literacy.
- Define sampling strategies and appropriate methodologies (quantitative qualitative mixed).
- Oversee or support the development of data collection tools such as surveys focus group discussion guides and interviews.
- Advise or participate in fieldwork planning including selecting regions institutions and client segments.
- Analyze survey data field notes and third-party reports to extract actionable insights.
- Identify gaps in outreach pricing sensitivity digital adoption and informal lending alternatives.
- Segment the market into viable client personas based on demographic and behavioral indicators.
- Provide strategic recommendations on product positioning pricing communication channels and customer engagement.
- Identify underserved customer segments and new product opportunities (e.g. group lending Islamic microfinance digital wallets).
- Benchmark the institution s offerings against local competitors and best practices globally.
- Draft detailed reports including executive summaries charts and visual narratives.
- Present findings to internal stakeholders (management marketing product development).
- Support client teams in integrating research findings into strategic and operational planning.
Requirements
- Bachelor s or Master s degree in Economics Business Development Studies or Marketing.
- Minimum 5 7 years of experience in market research or consultancy.
- At least 3 years of experience in the microfinance sector or financial inclusion research (preferred).
- Strong knowledge of the Egyptian financial services sector especially MFI or NGO-led credit programs.
- Proven ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights and strategic direction.
- Experience working with underserved communities rural populations or informal sector clients.
- Strong analytical skills with tools such as Excel SPSS or Stata. Experience with Power BI or Tableau is a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic.
- Familiarity with regulatory and operational frameworks for microfinance institutions in Egypt or MENA.
- Experience working with international development organizations
- Understanding of mobile money digital lending and fintech solutions for low-income segments.
Deliverables:
- Research plan and methodology document
- Data collection tools (questionnaires guides)
- Market analysis report (including customer segmentation competitor mapping demand analysis)
- Strategic recommendation brief
- Executive presentation (PowerPoint format)