New job posting: Microfinance SPM and Environmental specialist (Asia Pacific region)

Do you believe that half the world should not be living in poverty?  Then join a new, innovative microfinance social enterprise and help build the financial, social and environmental sustainability of our partner Microfinance Institutions.

We are looking for a Microfinance, Social and Environmental Performance Specialist who will implement an innovative and progressive microfinance capacity building program for the MFI partners of Good Return. 

The role of Microfinance, Social and Environmental Performance Specialist is for someone who is passionate about the sustainable and responsible delivery of microfinance services to the poor. The role requires an individual who is focused on the needs of the client and cares deeply for the natural environment. We are a hands-on organisation that works closely with Microfinance Institutions in Asia and The Pacific. 

Good Return leverages innovative technology to connect members the public with people who need a loan to lift themselves out of poverty. The Good Return online loan portal allows the public to support the client of a partner MFI by making a loan to that individual through the Good Return website. Staff and clients of the partner MFI are supported to enhance the impact of access to financial services, through the provision of training by Good Return.

Training to the staff of partner MFIs focuses on building the institution’s capacity to design and implement programs which strengthen its financial, social and environmental performance. Good Return assists MFI partners, with a pro-poor mission, to deliver their commitment towards improving the lives of their clients.

Good Return is an initiative of World Education Australia.  World Education Australia believes that no one deserves a life of poverty and is committed to doing something about it. World Education Australia delivers the powerful combination of microfinance, livelihoods and literacy to enable the poor to increase their incomes and change their lives forever.

World Education Australia is an affiliate of the global World Education organisation that is 59 years old and has worked in over 60 countries. World Education Australia is an AusAID accredited agency and a member of ACFID and signatory to their Code of Conduct.

More information: A copy of the position description and selection criteria is on the following page. For more information on Good Return and World Education Australia, please visit our websites www.goodreturn.org and www.worlded.org.au.

For enquiries please contact James Le Compte or Shane Nichols on james@goodreturn.org or shane@goodreturn.org.

How to apply for this job
To apply for this position, please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter (which must address each of the selection criteria individually) to James Le Compte at james@goodreturn.org using the subject Microfinance, Social and Environmental Performance Specialist.

Applications close on December 31^st 2011 and the successful applicant must be available to start work no later than 1^st February 2012.

JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Title:  Microfinance, Social and Environmental Performance Specialist                   

Full time – Fixed term contract for two years with potential for extension

Responsible to: James Le Compte – Microfinance Program Manager

Salary & benefits: AUD$1,000 p/month base salary; plus an average AUD$1,000 monthly per diem; plus accommodation costs; annual home trip; accommodation costs and all work related travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Location: The work will involve moving from country to country to work with the various Good Return MFI partners and does not have any single “home base”. The role will provide a varied, challenging and rewarding environment for the successful applicant. The specialist would typically be based in each country for 1-2 months at a time. Possible countries include East Timor, Nepal, the Philippines, Tonga, Fiji, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Scope of position: The position is responsible for supporting and promoting the implementation of financial, social and environmental Triple Bottom Line (TBL) performance management systems with Good Return’s MFI partners. The role is focused on training and capacity building of MFI staff, and also involves project management of specific TBL initiatives with partner MFIs.

The role will commence with the delivery of TBL awareness training to MFI staff, followed by facilitating the establishment of TBL performance objectives for each MFI, and the design and implementation of projects to achieve these goals, as well as the implementation of a reporting framework. Examples of specific projects include the establishment and use of poverty assessment tools such as the PPI, client satisfaction surveys, client protection principles, environmental lending policies and loan appraisals.

Responsibilities

1. Deliver Triple Bottom Line awareness building sessions to staff of partner MFIs.
2. Work together with the staff of partner MFIs to establish TBL performance objectives in:
   1. Financial performance;
   2. Social performance; and
   3. Environmental performance.
3. Work together with the staff of the partner MFI to design and implement activities in order to achieve the TBL goals that have been set by the institution.
4. Work together with the staff of the partner MFI to implement a TBL reporting framework.
5. Encourage and support senior management of the partner MFI to incorporate TBL reporting into their reporting and engagement with clients, staff, board of directors, partners and other stakeholders.
6. Ensure all MFI partners complete and submit the agreed TBL report to Good Return on a quarterly basis.
7. Prepare case studies and short papers on the challenges and successes of implementing a TBL performance management program; in order to share with other GR MFI partners and disseminate to other practitioners and the broader microfinance sector.
8. Continually review industry material in the areas of financial, social and environmental performance for the microfinance industry; make suggestions for the update of Good Return TBL materials as necessary.
9. Travel regularly between the offices of MFI partners to monitor the implementation of TBL programs and provide ad hoc support.
10. Report monthly to the Microfinance Program Manager, and submit quarterly project reports.

Selection criteria

1. At least three years’ experience working with a microfinance institution.
2. Demonstrated awareness and/or competency in monitoring microfinance financial performance measures (such as those found in the CGAP Microfinance Consensus Guidelines).
3. Experience in implementing and monitoring microfinance social performance measures (such as client satisfaction programs, poverty targeting programs, product development sensitive to client needs, skills development programs for clients, and others).
4. Experience in implementing and monitoring environmental performance measures (such as environmental loan assessments, programs to address energy poverty with renewable energy technologies, and others).
5. Demonstrated competency in designing and delivering sustainable agricultural training and/or designing and implementing agricultural loan products
6. Demonstrated competency in designing and delivering participatory training activities using adult non-formal education techniques
7. Excellent interpersonal communication skills
8. Demonstrated competency in working with senior management and Board directors to facilitating organisational strategic planning
9. Demonstrated ability to design, manage, monitor and evaluate projects, and manage project budgets
10. Highly self-motivated, with ability to work independently and in a variety of cultural contexts.
11. Ability and willingness to live abroad full-time for two years (annual home leave of up to 4 weeks per year will be permitted) with the absence of a single home base
12. Oral and written fluency in English. Ability to communicate in other languages used in Asia and The Pacific would be considered favourably (in particular, languages of the countries mentioned under ‘Location’ above).
13. Experience working abroad.
14. Demonstrated competency in Microsoft Office applications. Advanced skills in Excel will be considered favourably.
15. A personal commitment to our vision - we believe that no one deserves a life of poverty.