Job Description
Assignment Title:
Strengthening of MSME business for financial institutions (2-3 positions available)
Location:
Zimbabwe, Zambia, and possibly West Africa
Timeline:
6 month onsite project, September 2013 – February 2014, with possibility for extension (Southern Africa)
Description:
Small Business Banking Network (SBBN), a CapitalPlus Exchange initiative, is an international company based in the USA focused on strengthening financial institutions that target underserved entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies. SBBN seeks consultants for a 6-month engagement with several financial institutions to lead in strengthening their micro, small, and ultimately medium enterprise (MSME) lending business. The consultants will be responsible for:
- Strengthening the MSME operations platform
- Developing 5-year projections for lending lines and associated high level projections for savings mobilization incorporated into institution’s full projections
- Institutionalizing a system to maintain good portfolio quality
- Rolling out new SME finance products
- Strengthening staff skills and developing internal capacity
Qualifications:
The qualifying consultant will have a strong track record of strengthening financial institutions in MSME banking/finance including:
- Minimum 10 years of experience in commercial banking, SME or microfinance. Direct experience in running SME operations is preferred.
- Experience in Southern Africa, East Africa, and/or West Africa preferred.
- Experience with building and scaling MSME business line and change management
- Skills and qualities: flexible, willing and able to adapt to various local markets and experiences; willing and able to travel internationally; strong professional communications abilities in English, both written and oral, which can be applied to producing high-quality presentations, tools, and written reports.
- For West Africa, French language skills required along with a sophisticated approval to downscaling
Submission Requirements:
SBBN invites eligible consultants to submit a CV and cover letter with the following information:
- Brief description on background, country experience, and areas of expertise, including but not limited to: SME product development, credit, customer relationship management, human capital, risk management and internal audit, MIS/IT, governance, operations, branch management, gender inclusion, etc. (500 words maximum). Please also specifically rate skills on credit scoring and deposit mobilization on a scale from 1-5 (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest).
- Specific examples of recent work with financial institutions, with information on the project scope, activities undertaken and results achieved for the client. (500 words maximum)
- Short description of approach and methodology to grow a young MSME business into a robust and profitable business line or to downscale a sophisticated, locally owned commercial bank. (800 words maximum)
- Language proficiency in English and any other languages in reading, writing and speaking on a scale from 1-5 (1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest).
- Contact information for references.
- Information on daily rate requirements.
Consulting firms may also apply but application materials must reflect the direct experience of the individuals put forward, with proof that they are available to take the assignment if selected.
Submit all materials, in English, by August 21 (for Zambia assignment) and by September 1 (for Zimbabwe and West Africa assignments) to Ellen Har, Manager, Capacity Building, at ehar@capplusexchange.org. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged. Further conversations will be requested with selected candidates and successful candidates will be notified via email. Thank you for your interest in SBBN and we look forward to your response.
