Microfinance Gateway Deputy Manager

Job Description

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor Terms of Reference CGAP Microfinance Gateway Microfinance Gateway Deputy Manager About CGAP The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) is a consortium of 33 bilateral and multilateral donor agencies that work together to expand access to financial services for the poor. The overarching goal of CGAP is to scale up financial services to the poor through a diversity of institutional models and financial products that are able to reach a broad range of poor people. To this end, CGAP functions as a resource center to the microfinance industry by facilitating the development of standards, developing operational tools, providing technical and advisory services, delivering training, conducting research, and disseminating information on best practices and lessons learned in microfinance. CGAP serves three main groups of clients: donor agencies, microfinance institutions, government policymakers, and other industry actors who must work together to build a stable and dynamic microfinance sector. CGAP works in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders at the international, regional, national and community level to pursue the following five priorities: (i) developing a wide range of financial institutions to serve the poor; (ii) broadening and deepening outreach; (iii) improving the quality and availability of information; (iv) fostering a supportive policy and regulatory framework; and (v) improving donor effectiveness. One of CGAP’s key mandates is to disseminate information to the microfinance community. Central to that goal is the Microfinance Gateway, the microfinance industry’s leading Web site to exchange information and knowledge. About the Project Since its launch in mid 2000, the Microfinance Gateway () has solidified its role as the site for microfinance information and as a platform for debate for the entire microfinance industry. The Microfinance Gateway is now the largest online repository of microfinance information in the world. The mission of the Microfinance Gateway is to advance knowledge and encourage innovation within the global microfinance community. The site plays a critical role in building the information infrastructure of the industry and serving as a platform for the exchange of information and dialogue among industry players of various perspectives. The site is used to post publications, publicize conferences and training courses, announce job openings, contribute articles, and debate current issues. Target audience The site’s key constituents include microfinance institutions, donors, investors, technical service providers, networks, government officials, commercial banks, consultants, academics, the mass media, and others. Of these constituents, the site emphasizes outreach to microfinance practitioners in developing countries. The top ten developing countries they come from are: India, Morocco, Senegal, Philippines, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, and Benin. The Microfinance Gateway plays a critical role in building the information infrastructure of the industry, serving as a public forum that facilitates the exchange of different perspectives, viewpoints, and microfinance information. The ultimate aim of the Gateway is to increase the knowledge and capacity of all actors involved in microfinance, thereby maximizing its potential. The project’s three key objectives in order to do this are: extending outreach; enriching content and developing new services; and managing technology and costs. SCOPE OF WORK The Deputy Manager is responsible for supporting the overall strategy and vision of the Microfinance Gateway, assisting in managing relationships with partners, developing and managing content and interactive features, and assisting with day-to-day maintenance of the sites. The Deputy Manager will be Acting Microfinance Gateway Manager when the Microfinance Gateway Manager is away. SPECIFIC TASKS & DELIVERABLES Specifically, the Deputy Manager will: • Work closely with the Microfinance Gateway Manager to develop and implement a business strategy for the sites • Produce monthly Microfinance Voice articles in collaboration with members of the microfinance industry; Implement marketing strategies to increase the profile of this series • Manage and maintain editorial standards for the News and Microfinance Voices sections of the Web site; • Have a solid understanding of the Content Management System platform and provide training as necessary to content management partners on site development and management; • Assist in managing relationships with site vendors and partners for English and other language sites; • Monitor quality control on English and other language sites as appropriate; • Develop a funding strategy and budget for the Spanish site in coordination with CGAP’s content management partner, and monitor and manage all technology/staffing costs; • Maintain content on hot topic pages, as needed; • Assist with new product research and development of new features to extend outreach; SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS - Masters degree in International development, foreign relations or related field - At least 5 years experience in the field of microfinance; knowledge and understanding of key issues and hot topics in microfinance - Excellent writing and editing skills - Familiarity with online communications and Web tools; Web site and knowledge management experience preferred - Strong relationship management experience - Experience with project management including hiring and managing consultants, drafting partnership agreements and reviewing budgets - Fluency in English; Spanish, French or Arabic a plus - Ability to provide leadership and strategic vision for the project - Good interpersonal skills and experience working with a variety of consultants, vendors and different personalities TIMELINE The duration of this contract will be one year, with regular performance reviews.