Background
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the global apex organization and development platform for credit unions. WOCCU promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. Our technical assistance programs focus on an array of key areas, including digital solutions to expand financial inclusion, increasing access to finance for agricultural producers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), strengthening new and existing entrepreneurs, facilitating access to employment, and promoting legal and regulatory reform.
Location
Remote
Job Type
Part-time consultancy, on an as needed basis.
Position Summary
WOCCU is currently seeking qualified consultants to design and/or implement financial inclusion strategies and activities in Central America and the Caribbean.
This role offers an exciting opportunity for a skilled expert with a proven track record to improve the business environment and facilitate improved access to financial services. The expert will provide technical guidance to design and implement project activities resulting in increased access to finance and credit, particularly for those currently underserved.
Primary Responsibilities:
Identify obstacles to accessing finance that are encountered by various rural-based MSMEs that are working along the targeted value chains (producers, processors, and buyers).
Establish working relationships with finance institutions, with focus on credit unions. Assess their perceptions, limitations and concerns regarding extending access to finance to rural MSMEs.
Identify new products and services that are more feasible for target segments and better suit the needs of MSMEs.
Provide recommendations for business development services (BDS) models to enable producers, traders, processors, suppliers and other market system actors on the development of business plans, making credit applications and keeping appropriate business records needed to support credit applications.
Provide recommendations for activities design to meet program objectives.
Deliverables
During the contractual period, WOCCU will request scopes of work that outline deliverables and level of effort (LOE).
Period of Performance
This consultancy will have a termed period of performance based on the needs.
Qualifications
Education:
Experience & Skills:
A minimum of 8 years (with Master’s degree) or 10 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in financial services, specifically focusing on financial inclusion and development.
At least 5 years of proven track record in effectively providing technical guidance to international projects, particularly around leveraging existing relationships local organizations, government agencies across various levels, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and other stakeholders for the purpose of market analysis, business strategies, and project intervention design.
Solid knowledge and experience in market linkages, digital finance, climate smart finance, and/or MSME finance is a requirement.
Prior experience working on USAID-funded development programs in Central American countries is strongly preferred.
Effective oral and written communication skills to make formal and informal presentations and compose professional and analytical reports and program documents in English.
Proficiency in computer applications, particularly Microsoft Office Suite.
Fluency in English and Spanish.
Applications
Qualified candidates must submit the following information. Only complete applications will be considered:
Application materials and questions should be submitted via email with the subject line “SGP_Financial Inclusion Experts” to consult@woccu.org. Bidders must include all relevant materials within their proposals. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of your proposal.
Deadline to Submit Questions: April 15, 2024; 5:00 pm EST
Deadline to Submit Application: First submissions due May 1, 2024; no later than 5:00 pm EST, with additional submissions reviewed on a rolling basis for pending necessities.
Disclaimer
This bid solicitation in no way obligates World Council of Credit Unions to award a contract, nor does it commit World Council of Credit Unions to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. World Council of Credit Unions reserves the right to vary any part of this bid solicitation at the time of award if it becomes necessary. World Council of Credit Unions may cancel this solicitation or may reject any and all responses received. The issuance of this solicitation does not constitute award commitment by the World Council of Credit Unions.
