DEEP Microfinance Coordinator

Job ID/Title :DEEP Microfinance Coordinator
Category :Governance and Poverty Reduction
Brand :UNDP
Application Deadline :26-Sep-12
Duty Station :Ramallah
Languages Required :Arabic, English,    
Duration of Initial Contract :  One year
Expected Duration of Assignment :4 Years

 

Background:
In its second phase (2012-2016), the DEEP will be executing an intervention involving 35 local regional and international implementing agencies, 12,000 Palestinian families, and 50 million USD worth of investments in the form of seed capital grants and revolving micro-finance funds. This will require the expansion and organization of the project team to function within a more controlled environment that ensures the application of good practice in results based management including the establishment and alignment of financial, planning, monitoring, and extension systems within the project implementation unit. Consequently, the program will require the hire a Microfinance Coordinator.
Under the general guidance of the DEEP Grants Manager and the direct supervision of the DEEP Microfinance Development Specialist, the Microfinance Coordinator, will manage the relationship between the partner MFIs and will help in develop manuals and implementation tools to achieve the best implantation of the project and achieve all of its Goals and Objectives.
The Microfinance Coordinator will help the MFDS in implementation of the islamic MF component with the local MFIs with the support of the project staff and works in close collaboration with the DEEP Grants Manager for the West Bank and Gaza.
The DEEP project which is implemented by UNDP/PAPP is seeking qualified candidates for the Microfinance Coordinator Position in Ramallah. The vacancy post will be part of the UNDP’s Project Management Office (PMO) based in Ramallah and Gaza.

Description of Responsibilities:
Summary of key functions:
- Assist in the Implementation of project strategies and policies in the microfinance component of the project.
- Implementation and follow up the Microfinance Component of the Project.
- Provision of advisory services, technical assistant and capacity building to the partner Microfinance Institutions and Government.
 
1-Ensures implementation of  project strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

- To assist in the development of different tools and systems needed to synchronize, standardize, and reform the microfinance sector.
- To support the development of new microfinance products and tools those are suits and applicable for the National case.
- To promote the DEEP thinking related to poverty alleviation tools, methods from a sustainable livelihood through Islamic microfinance.
- To pilot new poverty alleviation interventions on the institutional and household levels through Islamic Microfinance which could further assist DEEP to enhance the effectiveness of its aid assistance by identifying new innovative and effective points of entry.

2-Participates in the effective implementation of the sub-component (Microfinance Component) of the Project within the practice area specialization assigned  focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the project achieving the  following results:
- To help in establishing work procedures and business process systems for the partner MFIs, and other possible partners.
- To provide inputs for periodic performance reports.
- To monitoring and following up the field progress of funding agreements with MFIs in the implementing the microfinance component.
- To maintain the professional relationships with DEEP partners under the MF component.

3Participate in the  advisory services, technical assistant and capacity building to the partner Microfinance Institutions focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Support the Coaching of the implementing MFIs on the best practices and the suitable products to meet families’ needs, market and MFIs field of expertise.
-Any other duties as assigned by the microfinance development specialist and the project manager to achieve project goals.
 

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of the project interventions and activities, and achieving the success implementation of the project microfinance component to reach all project goals and objectives.

Competencies :
Competencies and Critical Success Factors
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Microfinance at DEEP project.
- Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
- Strong IT skills
- Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change

Management and Leadership
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
 
Qualifications :
Education:
BA Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field.
Experience:
Minimum of four years relevant work experience in the microfinance or banking sector, including strong technical and organizational skills and demonstrating increasing responsibility. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based management systems.
 
Language Requirements:
Fluency in the English and Arabic.

“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”
UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly

Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
-For more detailed information about UNDP/PAPP please visit our website at www.undp.ps.