WWB - Microfinance Expert for Savings Mobilization Projects

Request for Qualifications: Microfinance Expert for Savings Mobilization Projects (Deadline January 20, 2012)

Reference: JOB987

Application deadline: 4 days 15 hours 46 minutes


Issued: Janauary 9, 2012

Closing Date: January 20, 2012



Summary

Women’s World Banking (WWB) seeks an individual, Spanish-speaking consultant to provide technical expertise on savings mobilization projects in Colombia, India, Pakistan and Nigeria, and other places as may be identified by WWB. The project will support leading microfinance providers (MFPs) in their strategies to expand savings services to low income women and men. The consultant will lead the projects in managing, executing and monitoring all activities and results involved in the design and delivery of savings services through participating MFPs.



About Women’s World Banking

WWB is an international microfinance support organization and network of 39 microfinance institutions in 27 countries. The mission of WWB is to expand the economic assets, participation and power of low-income women and their households by helping them access financial services, knowledge and markets.



About the Project

WWB, in collaboration with multiple high-profile donors is undertaking multiple projects to design and deliver savings services to mobilize deposits from low income people in several countries and thereby contribute to the development of Best Practice for deposit mobilization in the microfinance sector. The MFPs working in collaboration with WWB in this project have either been credit only before these projects or have not yet targeted low income populations for savings services before these projects. Additionally, the projects will seek to understand the needs of women specifically and ensure that a gender lens is applied to all aspects of project design and implementation.



Objectives

As lead consultant and technical advisor, the consultant will provide technical assistance to WWB’s MFP partners including:

· Analysis of savings mobilization strategy of partner institutions for reaching low-income customers, especially women

· Identification of gaps and development of action plans to implement necessary changes

· Review of products, channels and processes for savings mobilization, provision of recommendations for improvements to promote accessibility to low-income women

· Review of organizational structure, training and staff incentive system to optimize for savings mobilization, provision of recommendations for improvements as well as providing support in implementation

· Development of performance metrics for the project(s), including relevant reports, and provision of performance monitoring



The consultant is further expected to:

· Work closely with WWB to contribute to the design of market research and marketing strategy

· Provide recommendations for additional specialist consultant support, developing Terms of Reference, overseeing inputs, monitoring and evaluation of said consultants

· Integrate current thinking, innovations and best practice in the area of savings mobilization and alternative channels

· Capture learnings from savings projects including key analytical frameworks and templates, manuals and excel models, and lessons learned as input into the development of Best Practice in savings mobilization from low income populations in developing economies

· Integrate the knowledge gained during project implementation to WWB’s savings product innovation strategy



Project Team

The consultant will work with a small team from WWB including staff members and field-based consultants. The consultant will report directly to a WWB Project Manager..



Duration of Consultancy

The consultant will be procured for a period of twelve months and the contract may be extended by two one-year increments, at the discretion of WWB.



Location of Work

The consultant may be based in New York or internationally. The consultant will be required to travel to Latin America, Asia and Africa.



Minimum Qualifications

· Fluency in Spanish and English, other languages an asset.

· At least 10 years professional experience in microfinance and/or retail financial services.

· Bachelor’s Degree in business or related topic, Master’s preferred.

· Strong interpersonal, analytical, writing, problem-solving, leadership, project management and multi-tasking skills required.

· Work experience in less developed economies required.

· Demonstrated capacity to achieve results on the ground.

· Ability to manage all expenses on a reimbursement basis.

· Ability to buy and maintain all appropriate insurances, including medical evacuation and security.



Available Additional Information

This position will have an open questions and answers period from 1/6/2012-1/13/2012 during which any respondent can submit a question(s) in writing to questionstowwb@swwb.organd WWB’s response(s) with the question(s) will be shared with the pool of applicants via e-mail by 1/18/12.



Upon request the following information can also be provided to assist in a response:

· The full timing of the project plan

· A brief background of objectives already achieved by WWB with the MFP

· A summary of all objectives to be achieved under the project with the MFP

· An example contract & Terms of Reference

· An example billing template

· Clarifications on selection criteria



To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume and rate history to submittowwb@swwb.org by January 20, 2012. Include “Microfinance Expert to Savings Mobilization Projects” in the subject line.


Apply by Mail

Candidates may submit their resumes and cover letter to the following address if you choose not to apply online:

ATTN: Human Resources Manager
Women’s World Banking
8 West 40th Street
New York, New York 10018


Due to the overwhelming response to our job positions only qualified candidates will be contacted.


Women’s World Banking is an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Job Email id:

submittowwb(at)swwb.org