Wokai is hiring a social media and public relations associate. I like the strategy of investing in long term relationships. I’m betting this hire will more than pay for itself in terms of fundraising dollars raised, assuming the Wokai team can find the right hire. But I’m sure they will. Below are details:

Position: Social Media & Public Relations Associate

Location: Beijing, China

Salary: Competitive market salary. Exact salary quote available upon inquiry.

Duration: Minimum 2 year commitment (3 month trial period)

Opportunity: Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of working in a creative, collaborative environment where you will get a chance to use your skills to lift thousands of people from poverty, test yourself, wear many hats, and gain invaluable experience. Play an active role in China’s online, social venture, and microfinance sectors. What are the roles & responsibilities? You will be responsible for scaling Wokai’s contributor base in China. This is obviously a huge challenge. To support you in this process, we’ve put together a team of China’s leading social media and public relations experts to help guide your strategy. You’ll be responsible for leading execution in the following areas:

• Online Marketing. Execute Wokai’s Chinese language online marketing efforts including social media, email marketing, online partnerships, and community management. You’ll need to be a fast, creative, data-driven online marketer.

• Public Relations. Lead Wokai’s public relations efforts, create an endless stream of interesting new media angles for Wokai, engage and build relationships with a wide range of reporters, write press releases, and secure key media features to grow Wokai’s brand and contributor community.

• Branding. Manage the Chinese language public face of Wokai by maintaining and enhancing the Wokai brand, marketing materials, website copy, e-newsletters, and any other online and offline Wokai materials.

What experience and skills do you need to apply?

• Experience in social media, public relations, and/or journalism. The ideal candidate will have experience working in both social media and journalism.

• Must be an avid social media user with great social skills, who’s gifted at writing, and is a fast learner.

• Must be passionate about Wokai’s model and mission.

• Self-starter up for a challenge. Wokai is growing rapidly, so challenges and opportunities abound. We are looking for someone who enjoys working in open-ended/dynamic situations and constantly learning.

• Native level of written and spoken Chinese. Intermediate level of spoken and written English.

• Bonus points: Fluency in spoken and written English. Graphic & web design (Photoshop, InDesign/Quark, HTML/CSS, Java, Unix). Large social media following (through your blog and/or Sina Weibo)

To apply, please email recruitment@wokai.org, Subject Line: “Social Media & PR Associate”, and include a copy of your resume, photo, cover letter explaining why you are interested and qualified, and links to prior projects, blog, and Sina Weibo. Due to the high numbers of applicants, we regret that we can only respond to candidates that we would like to interview.

Source: NextBillion

“Working across Citi’s businesses, product groups and geographies, Citi Microfinance serves more than 100 microfinance institutions (MFIs), networks and investors as clients in over 40 countries with products and services spanning the financial spectrum – from financing, access to capital markets, transaction services and hedging foreign exchange risk, to credit, savings, remittances and insurance products – to expand access to financial services for the underserved.

Through innovative public and social sector partnerships in the U.S., Citi Microfinance positions Citi as an industry leader demonstrating the importance of banks providing access to mainstream financial products to the underserved efficiently and profitably.

The Citi Microfinance Analyst would support U.S. operations. Recent examples of programs in the U.S. include the Grameen America Savings Initiative in New York City, the City and County of San Francisco Kindergarten to College Children’s Savings Program, the Program for College Completion College Savings Account Program with the United Negro College Fund and KIPP Schools across the U.S., and the Justine Petersen Credit-Building Program in Missouri.

Analysts will research potential program and client targets, have strong command of Microsoft Excel and Visio to prepare financial analyses and models, as well as produce reports and updates for executives and regulators. They will assist in the preparation of advanced PowerPoint presentations, marketing materials, and approval documents for Citi Microfinance management and Senior Managers of partner Citi Businesses. Analysts will be given specific projects on which they will need to meet outlined goals and timelines. These projects will involve significant interaction with important Citi strategic partners and clients.

This group presents the opportunity to develop innovative projects with high visibility. Analysts will sharpen their creative research skills and their ability to manage high-profile clients.

Analysts will develop advanced project management and presentation skills.  Citi Microfinance processes have an active participation with senior managers and will expose the Analysts to different business units, geographies and executives.  The Analyst will gain a good understanding of Citigroup’s overall strategy and long-term opportunities.

Strong Microsoft Office, organizational and finance skills are very important in Citi Microfinance. However, communication and interpersonal skills are equally important, to the extent that Analysts participate in negotiations, lead conference calls and/or coordinate project management activities with business representatives throughout Citi. Given Citi Microfinance’s role in exploring opportunities and implementing financial inclusion for the underbanked and underserved, strong knowledge and in-depth experience in the U.S. economic development industry is helpful.”

Apply Here

“This position will implement and expand Trickle Up’s human resource policies, programs and services. The Human Resources Manager will work in close collaboration with staff in our headquarters office as well as with Regional Representatives in our three international offices.

About Trickle Up
Since 1979, Trickle Up has been empowering people living in extreme poverty to take the first steps out of poverty, providing them with resources to build livelihoods for a better quality of life.  Trickle Up works with community-based partner agencies in five countries in Asia, Africa, and Central America to fulfill our primary mission to alleviate poverty (providing seed capital grants, training and savings support), and to build the capacity of our local partners.
In the past five years, we have helped help start or expand nearly 50,000 enterprises, improving the lives of more than 250,000 people. Trickle Up’s annual budget is approximately $4.3 million, and we have a staff of about 40 people, with headquarters in New York City and field offices in India, Mali, and Guatemala.

The Opportunity:
Reporting to the Vice-President, Finance and Administration, this position will implement and expand Trickle Up’s human resource policies, programs and services, in alignment with Trickle Up’s values, culture and organizational objectives.  The Human Resources Manager will support the entire employment cycle.

This is a new position that will provide Trickle Up’s highly capable and dedicated global staff with professional human resources support. The Human Resources Manager will work in close collaboration with staff in our headquarters office as well as with Regional Representatives in our three international offices. S/he will also work with outside legal counsel on legal and compliance issues, as well as with vendors for employee health insurance and other benefit programs.

Responsibilities of the position will, over time, include:

• Review and recommend Human Resource policies and programs for hiring, employee relations, compensation, and benefits, so that they are compliant with local law and practice, as well as fair, and aligned with organizational values.
• Support staff, by providing counsel and support throughout the employment cycle, covering job announcements, recruitment strategy, structured interviews, compensation offers, induction planning, performance management, and resignation/separation.
• Working with outside legal counsel in the US and where Trickle Up has field offices, ensure that employee agreements comply with local statutory requirements.
• Revise and maintain written manuals, documentation and ancillary communications pieces for all relevant policies and procedures.
• Benchmark and maintain compensation structures.
• Collaborate with staff so that job descriptions and performance objectives are accurate and consistent across the organization.
• Assist in facilitating organizational planning processes that evaluate structure, job design, and human capital needs throughout the organization.
• Improve and maintain appropriate systems for employee records, and utilize this data to provide HR analytics.
• In close consultation with Finance staff, manage renewal process for health insurance and other employee benefits.
• Assist staff in identifying and utilizing training and developmental opportunities.
• Represent Trickle Up in the Inside NGO and NPCC Human Resources community.

We are seeking an experienced HR professional with:

• Strong HR generalist background and 3-5 years of experience, preferably with an international non-profit organization.
• Demonstrated excellence developing and documenting human resource policies. Knowledge of the basic principles of employment law and regulation.
• Superb human relations skills, including a sense of humor, a positive can-do attitude and the humility to regularly incorporate feedback from others.
• Flexibility and an ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment that values participation and consensus.
• Affinity to Trickle Up’s mission.
• A bachelor’s degree; a relevant graduate degree and formal training in human resources is preferred.
• Excellent written, spoken, and cross-cultural  communication skills, including fluency in English.
• French and/or Spanish language skill helpful.
• US work authorization.

Salary and benefits:
At the present time, this is a half-time position, with the potential to become full-time in 2012. A regular schedule for 20 weekly hours will be arranged to suit the mutual needs of Trickle Up and the employee.

To Apply:
This is a new position and candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to hrmanager@trickleup.org with your name in the subject line. We will only contact those individuals we are interested in interviewing. Please, no phone calls”

“Are you interested in becoming more involved in microfinance and education?  Do you have great leadership skills, and fresh ideas for spreading the word about microfinance?  We would like to offer you a more active role in managing one of the largest online networks of student microfinance groups, your very own MFI Connect.

The founders of MFI Connect are getting closer to graduation, and are looking for some university students who are interested in leaving their mark on the microfinance world. Already the largest student microfinance network in the world, MFI Connect has established itself through strong partnerships with the Microcredit Summit Campaign, Professor Yunus, and Premal Shah from Kiva, amongst others. Our members are the people who make this happen, and we want you to have an active role in the sustainability and future of the organization.

Any interested members should contact founder Haley Priebe at haleypriebe@gmail.com.”

Trickle Up is an organization that empowers people living on less than $1.25 a day to take the first steps out of poverty, providing them with resources to build microenterprises for a better quality of life.  In partnership with local agencies, Trickle Up provides business training seed capital grants to launch or expand a microenterprise and savings support to build assets throughout Asia, Africa and Central America.

“Yesterday, Trickle Up launched it’s Mother’s Day Seed A Dream Campaign.  The campaign gives people a way to help a mother in a developing country lift herself from extreme poverty and at the same time honor the mothers in their lives this Mother’s Day.  Trickle Up is partnering with journalist Campbell Brown on the campaign to draw attention to the plight of poor mothers and the extent and severity of extreme poverty worldwide.

Through the campaign, donors can make gifts to Trickle Up in honor of the mothers in their lives that will in turn help a poor mother launch or expand a small business. Mothers who are honored through a donation will receive a Mother’s Day card that explains the impact of the gift, and donors of more than $100 can choose to receive a limited edition, Trickle Up necklace while supplies last. Trickle Up friends will match the donation dollar for dollar to increase the reach and impact of the contributions.” Read More

To learn more, watch the video from Campbell Brown:

“POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the  of the Director of Products and Services, organizes and implements pro-active US microfinance projects, products, programs and  initiatives in order to assist the Global Director and the Director of Products and Services in achieving Citi Microfinance’s mission and goals.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Product Analyst 4 position is an officer-level, strategic position responsible for creating, planning, coordinating, and disseminating a microfinance project and/or initiative. Additionally, this position must ensure management that all appropriate constituencies are adequately informed of the benefits provided by the implementation of such project.  The Product Analyst 4, conducts field training, MIS analyses, makes recommendations to all levels of business management of gaps in strategies, processes or progress in such projects or initiatives, and documents emerging media coverage. The Product 4 Analyst must possess an understanding of Citi technology systems and vendor relationships. Provides innovative perspective on targeted programs surrounding the product to senior management.

Manages product development and/or management lifecycle for products. Identifies business opportunity and plays an active role in developing the appropriate integrated products for businesses to meet the target population. Researches new and/or existing products, product enhancements, and product redesign that align the product development function with the goals of the organization. Integrates in-depth industry and competitor learnings. Develops the value propositions, including profitability analysis for all new and/or existing products. Responsible for coordinating the roll out of new targeted programs and providing training for field for scalable implementation.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Manages US Citi Microfinance projects, including project timelines, work plans, testing, resources, training and documentation of procedures and results.
2. Plans, coordinates, and disseminates accurate, timely information to internal and external constituencies such as Citi’s Microfinance business partners and our external strategic Microfinance institutional project partners for such projects.
3. Anticipates and alerts Citi Microfinance management of implications of policies, developments, and current events, and makes recommendations on changes necessary to ensure successful programs.
4. Coordinates and implements communication strategies for key issues and initiatives of the US Citi Microfinance team.
5. Assists Citi businesses in developing and disseminating appropriate collateral and marketing materials to support targeted programs.
6. Coordinates Citi Microfinance US events, presentations, and conferences involving external executives from various microfinance organizations and agencies and Citi Senior Management Executives.
7. Works with the technology and website development teams to manage and oversee the system development process including systems, technical design, coding, testing, and turnover to live production of application.
8. Assists the Global Director in the global media relations strategy in order to ensure that Citi Microfinance messages and images are appropriately conveyed to the public; establishes and maintains diplomatic relations with the internal media groups, and serves as the point of contact for questions concerning media issues; monitors and analyzes media coverage of Citi Microfinance.
9. Publishes and enhance monthly internal microfinance newsletter communications to employees. Researches, assembles and edits content for Citizenship Report.
10. Partners with technology, communications, product and web development teams to provide day-to- day support in maintaining the network information systems, platforms and internal/external websites.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong project planning and project management skills.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, SharePoint and other data management and presentation applications.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks covering multiple projects with varying delivery dates required.
• Strong analytical skills.

EXPERIENCE:

• College degree (B.A. or B.S.) or equivalent experience.
• 3-6 years experience in banking, operations and/or project management.
• Demonstrated experience/interest in microfinance.
• Past track record of being able to work on teams, with teams and independently with minimal supervision; work long hours, deliver a product on time, on budget and with sensitivity to the subject matter; extensive initiative, creativity and independent judgment; collaboration on complex issues, and strong leadership skills.

HIGHLY DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Broad strategic experience developing and coordinating projects and media relations in a conglomerate; exceptional communication skills; strong conceptual, analytical, leadership, and project management skills; ability to collaborate with diverse and competing interests; working knowledge of Citi businesses systems and operations; knowledge of microfinance concepts and programs.”

Apply Here

For those looking for a challenge in microfinance:

I received this email from Wokai yesterday:

Uploaded with Skitch!

A wokai tshirt for earning “impact points”. SMART. When I get my shirt in the mail, Wokai will have just turned me into a walking billboard.

Would I wear a shirt from just any brand that offered me one? No. But, it just so happens that Wokai, Kiva, Grameen, and Vittana are all microfinance brands that I’m passionate about. And, if I had a shirt from each of them, I’d happily wear them and spread their message to more people as a walking mini billboard. Do you have a nonprofit with passionate supporters? Whether they be family members or best friends, I’m sure you have at least a few. Turn them into walking mobile billboards.

Now, I have no idea how many people are getting these same shirts. But that’s not the point. The fact that the reward feels “special” is all that matters to me (and others) who received this offer. Now, that could change if I see hundreds of other people around the Seattle area wearing Wokai shirts — but until that happens, this is a brilliant fundraising & marketing initiative

Well done, Wokai.

“About the Organization:
MicroFinance Transparency (MFT) is a young non-profit organization (501c3) that promotes transparent pricing in the microfinance industry. Our desire is to be the venue for the microfinance industry to publicly demonstrate its commitment to pricing transparency, integrity and poverty alleviation. Our vision is an industry operating with healthy free market conditions where consumers and other stakeholders can make informed decisions.

Background:
MicroFinance Transparency collects microloan product data on MFIs around the world and we are looking for experienced researchers who can support our financial education work in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are looking for highly motivated, independent workers with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

About the Job:
MicroFinance Transparency (MFT) is seeking a part-time or full-time Financial Education Intern to assist in the development and testing of financial education tools and resources for microfinance pricing and consumer education. Current students are also encouraged to apply. The internship location is flexible as s/he can work virtually but applicants must have regular access to a computer with Microsoft Office applications. The Intern could work from Rwanda or Malawi during our pilot tests, depending on timing of the internship. Stipend available and based on experience.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support manager of financial education in the development and testing of new education modules and resources;
• Conduct research for literature review, planning and needs assessments;
• Support coordination of financial education development with field partners and stakeholders;
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation of financial education programs;
• Write short reports on findings and assist senior staff to write longer reports.

Qualifications:

• Degree in adult education, international development, finance or a related field;
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to meet deadlines and perform well under pressure;
• Excellent communication, writing, and analytical skills;
• Fluency in English;
• Proactive, engaged and ethical team player;
• Good organizational skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks;
• Proficiency with Microsoft office applications (especially Excel, PowerPoint and Word).”

Source: Microfinance Gateway

I came across an article on Global Envision called “Microconsignment: The Microfinance Alternative” which talks about the new concept of Microconsignment.  Over the last year that have been a couple different spin-offs from microfinance, some have worked, others have not.  I’m not quite sure about the Microconsignment concept, but I think it has some potential.  Here’s the article from Global Envision:

“Chances are you’re pretty familiar with microfinance. But have you ever heard of microconsignment? Microconsignment is similar to microfinance in a lot of ways, but with a unique twist. Basically, instead of giving an entrepreneur a loan to be repaid over an agreed upon period of time, the aim of microconsignment is to give access to a good or service to a community that is without.

For example, in a community where the nearest doctor might be a days drive away, a microconsignment group might work with an entrepreneur to open a shop where people can get their eyes tested and buy prescription eyeglasses. The entrepreneur gets training on how to do an eye exam and run a business, as well as the materials they need to open up shop and market their business. Only after the products sell, the entrepreneur pays back the initial cost using a percentage of his or her profits. Another key difference with traditional microfinance models is that much of the risk stays with the lender.

Greg Van Kirk first tried the microconsignment model in his days as a Peace Corps volunteer. He saw an opportunity, and decided to found Soluciones Comunitarias, a microconsignment institute operating in rural South America. The New York Times’ wrote about the microcosignment pioneer in a recent post on their Fixes blog.

Yolanda Garcia was one of the first entrepreneurs to work with Soluciones Comunitarias, introducing glasses into her community in rural Guatemala. She admitted to the New York Times that her first attempts at selling were not hugely successful. Had she taken out a loan to buy the glasses that didn’t sell, Garcia may have had to take out more loans just to pay the first back. “Why put all that risk on somebody up front?” Malini Krishna, the vice president of development for Soluciones Comunitarias explained to The Times. “Why not help them put the glasses out there and then get repaid when glasses sell?”” read more here.