SACCO Financial Specialist

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) seeks an experienced Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCO) Financial Specialist to assist with the implementation of a potential donor-funded program to expand access to savings in Rwanda. Duties will include:

RESPONSIBILITES

1. Assess SACCOs for participation in the program including audit and examination and make recommendation for participation
2. Carry out financial and operational reviews, assessments and evaluations of partner credit unions’ institutional and financial development
3. Continuously monitor the credit portfolios of participating project credit unions to ensure compliance with PEARLS standards, other financial disciples, and sound financial management. Verify PEARLS reports for accuracy.
4. Provide partner credit unions with technical assistance, training, tools and methodologies to ensure their optimal performance, sound management, and emphasize savings mobilization

• Advise and train credit union staff in quality standards, financial disciplines, internal controls, savings policies, loan policies and other technical tools and methodologies of WOCCU, including PEARLS
• Intervene in participating credit unions and assist the personnel to rectify shortcomings in financial or organizational management
• Under the direction of the Chief of Party, assist credit unions to develop and implement their individualized project work plans
• Conduct and/or participate in training sessions for credit union personnel and directors
• Assist boards of directors and managers to analyze and determine whether to implement new projects, products or services
• Help credit unions to develop and implement new policies and procedures
• Develop and implement manuals and training programs for credit unions to optimize and augment the technical assistance provided
• Develop marketing strategies that optimize and/or improve the market position of the credit unions, transferring marketing skills and knowledge to credit union personnel
• Assist participating credit unions to comply with applicable regulations and laws

1. Based upon analysis of the operations of participating credit unions, develop and introduce new savings products targeted toward identified groups of potential credit union members

• Contribute to or conduct market studies, investment analyses and other studies for the development of new products
• In collaboration with project staff and credit union personnel and volunteers, lead the design, test, refinement, and launch of new savings products
• Define and elaborate necessary changes to the credit policies and procedures of the credit unions to integrate new products and minimize the risks associated with these new products
• Train staff in the participating credit unions about the new savings products and how to implement them
• Ensure the dissemination of information on the new products to all relevant project staff and credit union personnel and board members
• Set goals for each new savings product and analyze the performance of these new products once implemented in the credit unions

6. Assist in the modification, enhancement and development of tools to improve the conditions at participating credit union

7. Other responsibilities as assigned by Chief of Party.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, business, administration, management or related subject matter
• Minimum of five years’ work experience in banking/financial services, experience with financial cooperatives, SACCOs preferred.
• Experience working in rural areas or with vulnerable sectors of the population preferred.
• Experience working in Rwanda or Eastern Africa preferable.
• Proven experience in the following areas:
  • Business plan preparation
  • New financial product development
  • Marketing and promotions
  • Survey management
  • Data analysis
  • Project report writing
  • Training and/or consulting
• Ability to speak, read and write the following languages:
  • Native or near native fluency in French and/or Kinyarwanda
  • Proficiency in English would be desirable but not required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software
• Understanding of the socio-economic, geographic and demographic conditions of the communities in which partner SACCOs serve and/or are located
• Knowledge of national laws, regulations and norms for the financial and/or credit union sector
• Capacity to assess and determine solutions for technical, financial and administrative problems
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to compromise

TRAVEL:

The assignment will require the ability and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time as needed to meet project’s goals.

TIMELINE:

The project will likely begin in Summer/Fall 2012.

Interested consultants should provide a copy of their resume/curriculum vitae, including recent salary/daily rate information for similar assignments to HR@woccu.org.