Open Banking & Open Finance Regulatory Specialist

About Financial Innovation for Impact

Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii)is an international, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of scalable, sustainable, and evidence-based financial and regulatory innovation.

We work with academic institutions, digital finance ecosystem partners, and other stakeholders to create knowledge and apply data-driven insights to inform the development of fintech and the decision-making of central banks, securities regulators, and other financial authorities.

Fii generates research, develops digital tools, and delivers capacity building at scale through technical assistance programmes to benefit financially excluded, marginalised, and disadvantaged populations.

Fii was spun out of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) and incorporated in the United Kingdom in 2023. CCAF is a research centre at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. CCAF’s mission is to create and transfer knowledge addressing emergent gaps relating to technology-enabled financial innovation, and to support evidence-based decision making by market participants, regulators, and related stakeholders.

Fii achieves its mission through asymbiotic collaborationwith CCAF as one of itsPrincipal Collaborators, and leveraging a global network of expertise, academic relationships, and data science capabilities to deliver impact in countries that we work in.

The role

We are looking for an Open Banking & Open Finance Regulatory Specialist to support overall CCAF programmatic activities in the field of open banking and open finance (OBOF). Building on the CCAF’s recent impactful world leading study “Global State of Open Banking and Open Finance”, we are looking to further expand our work programme and support regulators and policymakers in enabling responsible innovation in the field of open data.

This will involve conducting research on OBOF market developments, regulatory and supervisory frameworks, technological innovations and providing technical assistance to financial authorities in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies. The role holder will also support the development of content and delivery of the Cambridge Open Banking and Finance for Regulators online education programme.

The role will also involve working collaboratively with a network of technical experts and regulatory analysts in the CCAF / Fii network. The role holder will report to the Head of Market & Infrastructure Observatory.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and comparative analysis on OBOF policy, regulation, and supervision, with a focus on international developments and regulatory impact.
• Lead and conduct active engagement with senior officials from regulatory authorities, industry, not-for-profits, and academic experts.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory and supervisory developments in OBOF, including broader movements in the field of infrastructure innovation (e.g., Digital Public Infrastructure, open data in other sectors, etc.).
• Deliver technical assistance to financial authorities. This includes supporting in the conduct diagnostics and assessments of existing OBOF systems and processes, identifying opportunities for improvement and digital innovation; advising on the design of regulatory frameworks that address the specific challenges and risks in local markets.
• Review educational content and function as a tutor for participants in the Cambridge Open Banking and Finance for Regulators Online Programme.
• Deliver virtual and in-person workshops designed to equip regulators with the knowledge and skills to assess risks and opportunities in OBOF.
• Lead, develop and mentor junior members of staff and act as a role model for future development of talent in Fii.
• Publicly represent Fii in international fora and among key partners, including central bank officials, regulators, government departments domestically and internationally, universities, think tanks, grantees, donors, international standard setting bodies, and commercial providers.

Requirements and qualifications

The individual in this role must have strong research and communication skills and a demonstrable interest and expertise in regulation of financial markets, ideally in digital financial services.

Essential

The ideal candidate should have the following qualities, skills, and attributes.

• A degree background in law, public policy, technology, management, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in the field of digital finance markets with an in-depth understanding and knowledge of open banking and open finance regulatory frameworks, in at least one region.
• Ability to develop strong links with relevant stakeholders including regulatory authorities, standard-setting bodies, development partners, and other relevant governmental and international bodies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey research findings and ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment, as well as delegate and work independently when required.
• Driven and committed, demonstrating initiative and self-motivation.
• Ability to organize/prioritize work and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment with multiple and competing demands.
• Fluent English.

Desirable

• Experience working in a financial authority as a regulator, supervisor, or technical advisor.
• Demonstrable track record in conducting comparative policy and regulatory research, including in an academic environment.
• A strong network of contacts within the regulatory, policymaking, and/or FinTech spaces
• Knowledge of international standards, guidelines, and best practices in the field of OBOF
• Experience in programmatic reporting and evaluation/assessment

What we offer

• A job and a team with a purpose. This is a chance to work on important challenges in the financial sector that greatly affect our economies and society, and to have a real impact using data and tech to transform the public sector.
• Opportunity to innovate and to break new ground in this field.
• Exposure to leading thinkers, researchers, and solution creators in the financial and technology space and academia.
• Opportunities to frame evidence-based discussions in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Opportunities to work and collaborate with exceptional teammates, experts, and partners globally.
• Competitive compensation.
• Flexible work schedule.