Job Postings

Microfinance Job Opportunity in Portland, OR with Mercy Corps

Director of Microfinance Services

Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps’ organizational strategy is to work in countries in transition, where communities are suffering and recovering from disaster, conflict or economic collapse.  Our experience demonstrates that during these times of turmoil and tragedy, there exists the possibility for positive, lasting change.  To accomplish our mission, we seek to enable communities to organize for the change they want to see, catalyze the interaction of civil society, government and business, and prompt market-led economic prosperity so communities can sustain these changes.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Microfinance Services will coordinate with in-country leadership and Regional Program Directors, as well as with the Senior Leadership team and HQ departments, in order to design and execute Mercy Corps’ financial services programming. S/he will work with our media and communications teams to raise Mercy Corps’ profile as an entrepreneurial leader in this space, particularly among new philanthropists, corporate partners, and venture capital investors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide strategic direction, guidance and coordination in the development of a multi-layered Financial Services strategy, focusing on opportunities to create ground-breaking social innovations in financial services that enable access to underserved communities in countries in transition. Report to the Chief Financial Officer and collaborate closely with the Social Innovations team.
• Coordinate and manage the technical support that Mercy Corps provides to its existing portfolio of institutions, increasingly on a fee-for-service basis. Liaison with the General Counsel on commercialization efforts with various constituent MFIs.
• Act as MC’s representative on MFI Boards of Directors.
• Coordinate and manage the support of regional field teams to identify and capture new programming opportunities. Write project / program concept papers, business plans, assessments, learning evaluations, and proposals for funding.
• Nurture relations with potential and existing social investors, corporate partners, and new philanthropists in support of program development and investment.
• Identify, document, and communicate the ideas, trends, and emerging capacities that fall in the intersection of Mercy Corps’ field-based vision and the interests of new philanthropists interested in microfinance and corporate.
• Mobilize and coordinate agency resources – financial, administrative, leadership, and social capital resources – to support the design, implementation, evaluation and marketing of financial services programming that deepen and expand our social impact.
• Design and guide the execution of a brand strategy to position the agency as an innovator and leader in financial services in fragile and transitioning contexts.
• Liaise with Mercy Corps’ Communications and Web Marketing teams to articulate the results, challenges, and lessons of financial services initiatives.
• Represent Mercy Corps at conferences, meetings, and with external stakeholders to advance the agency’s reputation and positioning as a socially entrepreneurial and innovative agent for sustainable development.
• Supervise a team of two Managers, Financial Services to assist in accomplishing said job functions.
• Source and manage consultants as needed.
• Disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
• Other duties as requested.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Domestic and/or field- based Managers, Financial Services staff.
ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief Financial Officer

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: General Counsel; Senior Director, Social Innovations; Global Advisor, Social Innovations; Chief Executive Officer; President; VP of Program Operations; VP of Program Development; Regional Program Directors; country office teams.

Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• An MA/S in Finance or Economics; MBA preferred.
• Proven success in securing private equity or venture capital, especially in emerging or developing world markets.
• At least ten years of design and/or implementation of financial services and other economic development programming. Commercial banking experience highly desirable.
• A track record of driving innovations from development through early marketing, to successful market introduction and product commercialization.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, business development and partnership development.
• Demonstrated leadership in advancing organizational strategy and stated objectives.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational prioritization skills are necessary.
• Experience working overseas in relief and/or development context.
• Experience with assessments, monitoring and evaluation and design.
• Experience managing and working with diverse teams.
• Willingness to travel to field locations as required.
• Fluency in English required. Second language in French, Spanish or Arabic desirable, but not required.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The Director of Microfinance Services will combine exceptional analytical skills and experience in developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders across the social investor and traditional investment community. S/he should have high creativity and strong social entrepreneurial skills to lead and support new opportunities, partnerships and the scaling up of proven interventions. Effective verbal and written communication, facilitation, participatory leadership and solid management skills are essential. In addition to these qualifications, we are seeking someone with a great attitude who is flexible, outgoing and thrives in evolving and changing environments. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability.
LIVING/WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position will be based in the United States and requires up to 35% travel to overseas program locations and domestic offices in Portland, OR or Washington, DC.

Job Location Portland, OR, US.

Position Type Full-Time/Regular

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