Micro-finance Specialist

Job Description

Position: Microfinance Specialist
No. of vacancies: 1 (One)
Date of Announcement: June 29, 2019
Duration: Till May 2020 (Extendable if funding and need permits)
Location: Kathmandu
Reports to: Senior Manager - Financial Inclusion
Field Visits: Frequent travel to the project areas (50%)

Core Function:
The Microfinance Specialist will support the implementation of a 24-month project focused on mainstreaming housing microfinance through Habitat for Humanity Nepal’s local partners. This position will support the project by providing technical assistance, training, and project administration services. The position requires working with the Financial Inclusion and Program team of Habitat Nepal and the private sector institutions/firms in country, requiring exceptional interpersonal and consulting skills.
This position has a project specific role, especially, tied with Department of Foreign Affairs/ Business Partnership Platform (DFAT/BPP) which ensures “Mainstreaming housing microfinance and related support services”. It also follows Habitat Nepal’s financial inclusion strategies and planning processes that are aligned with Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter’s (TCIS) regional and global practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A) Project Management

• Implement activities outlined in the DFAT/BPP project business plan, ensuing that highquality deliverables are produced on time.
• Plan and support technical assistance initiatives using Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) toolkit, including market research, product development/refinement, pilot testing, and monitoring and evaluation services;
• Guide and oversee consultants to provide technical services to financial institutions working in the affordable housing sector;
• Gather information from implementing partners and prepare project reports.

B) Partnership Development

• Support Senior Manager-FI in partnership development efforts. 

C) Coordination

• Coordinate with Habitat Nepal Finance Department, RD & Coms Department for fund management, report preparation, fund raising and information dissemination.
• Coordinate with HR & Admin Department for logistics, procurement services. 
• Coordinate with Program Department for field level cooperation with partners and otherstakeholders.
• Assist Senior Manager-FI to manage and develop relationships in country with key stake holders in the microfinance, social and development finance institutions.
• Conduct market scanning exercise of various player’s involved in the affordable housing sector from financial inclusive and value chain perspective.
• Will Pro-actively and effectively develop and nurture constructive working relationship with partner MFIs.
• Will be responsible to conduct need assessment of partners for future improvements of housing loan products.
• Document progress, resolve issues, and initiate improvements when needed.
• Prepare reports on activities, outputs and outcomes for donor and funding organizations.
• Conduct institutional assessments or due diligence of perspective partners and make recommendations.
• Travel as necessary to support project design, development and implementation.
• Other related duties as assigned by Senior Manager-Financial Inclusion.

Knowledge and Skills:

A) Technical skills

• Microfinance - Experience of working with Microfinance institution in operations, marketing or product development. Knowledge of housing microfinance is preferred.
• Project Management - Demonstrated ability to define projects and initiatives and monitor implementation for effective realization of intended benefits and outcomes; Lead a network; Manage project budgets; and Deliver reports on time.
• Training skills - Capacity to lead training sessions, and the creation of training session materials. Good people skills with the ability to communicate cross-culturally and work in teams.

B) Preferred

• Experience in questionnaire design, sampling selection, conducting focus group discussions and in-depth interviews in urban and rural setting.
• Works well in teams with a preference for transparency and collegial decision-making with an attitude to learn and share knowledge.
• Balances the needs and interests of various stakeholders, internal and external, while determining priorities and allocates time and resources effectively.

C) Beneficial but not required

• Consulting - Demonstrated ability to negotiate and deliver projects for clients on time and on budget. Experience presenting to clients and developing support materials including slide decks, presentations, hand-outs, information sheets, tables, charts, and graphics.
• Capacity to write and oversee writing of technical proposals for grants and/or contracts.
• Housing - Understanding of the trends in low income housing and housing finance in Nepal. Understanding of affordable housing products, value chain, services, and financial mechanisms for low-income families is desirable

Education Qualification, Professional Experience:

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Economics, Business, Finance, International Development or related field. A Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum five years of experience in microfinance, housing finance or inclusive finance related business with progressively increasing responsibility
• Experience in developing and/or managing projects
• Experience in working with/advising microfinance institutions
• Experience related to housing finance strongly preferred.

Language:

• Excellent in Nepali and English (Reading, writing and speaking).

Apply Instructions

How to Apply: Interested candidates are encouraged to apply with an application letter and updated resume by July 8, 2019 addressed to:

National Director
Habitat for Humanity International, Nepal.
E-mail: recruitment@habitatnepal.org

Habitat Nepal is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of diverse background, women and persons with disability to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.