Position: Micro-Finance Advisor
Employer: Cuso International
Location: Myanmar
Deadline: November 25, 2018
Employment Type: Volunteer
Position Level: Mid Level
Salary Range:
Closing Date: November 25, 2018
Brief Description:
City Yangon, Myanmar
Start Date Oct - Dec 2018 (flexible)
Length of Placement 12 Months
Language Requirements English
The Volunteer’s Role
There are currently a growing number of players involved in Small and Medium Enterprise development, value chains or microfinance execution in Myanmar. Myanmar Business Executives Association is involved in a number of initiatives that support new and small business development, particularly for women. Two of their interventions include the provision of micro-finance and a newly launched mentoring program. Whilst they believe that they do have success stories in relation to these two initiatives, they currently have no system to measure the real impact of their work and to ensure they are working within recommended or best practices within the Myanmar context.
The purpose of this placement is to develop a system to build on current Monitoring & Evaluation systems that are able to better collect lessons learned and assess the real impact of the micro-finance or credit carried out by Myanmar Business Executives Association and the impact of the mentoring program. This should also help Myanmar Business Executives Association to develop a series of Best or Recommended practices. This would include the capturing of case stories. The expert will also be asked to research potential sources of funding and edit proposals as necessary. The initial focus for this particular placement would be Yangon.
As a volunteer, you will:
- Conduct an assessment within Myanmar Business Executives Association and their associates to see to what extent they are incorporating best practices and recommend ways to improve
- Carry out research within the micro-finance and credit industry, including with beneficiaries where possible, as to recommendations on what best practice should look like what they consider best practice in this area
- Leverage appropriate technology to drive efficiency and cost effectiveness for MBE fund
- Increase capacity of Internal Audit functions related to focus and effectiveness
- Provide innovative advise to deliver a range of safe and sustainable products and services that meet the needs of the rural population
Essential Academic Qualifications:
University degree in finance or business or related field
Essential Professional Background:
- Knowledge of issues related to Microfinance and microcredit
- Experience in Mentoring small business owners
- Practical research experience with a variety of stakeholders (CSOs, Businesses, NGOs, local and national government)
- Understanding of inclusive participatory approaches, amongst a variety of stakeholders demonstrated experience of working in multicultural and multi-disciplinary teams
Support Package
- Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending country)
- Accommodation while in placement
- Return airfare and visa/work permit costs
- Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurance
- Pre-departure training and in-country orientation
- Travel and accommodation for reintegration debriefing weekend
- Modest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longer
- Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return
- Cuso International assessment day (Candidates must cover the first $200 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and all accommodation costs).
- Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and for in-country orientation