Organizational Overview:
The Silicon Valley Microfinance Network (SVMN) works towards reducing poverty by leveraging the unique core competencies of the Bay Area in the field of microfinance. SVMN’s education programs are focused on arming the Bay Area community with the knowledge, experience and contacts necessary to make a tangible impact in the microfinance field.

About the Role:
SVMN is looking for an experienced volunteer Videographer to film a series of exciting and educational speaker panels on various topics relating to microfinance and poverty alleviation. These panel discussions will take place once per month in December, then January through May, 2012.

The SVMN Speaker Series primarily takes place in downtown San Francisco, on week day evenings, and last 1 hour, between the hours of 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

The Videographer must have their own equipment, including camera, sound equipment, laptop and video editing software.

Key Requirements:

• Preferably a seasoned videographer, but open to college students and recent graduates with skills in filming/videography/editing.
• Must be comfortable working with a non-profit.
• Videographer must be available to arrive early to each SVMN event, and complete the editing process (if applicable) within 48 hours following the event. All videos will be posted online, with credit assigned to the Videographer. Events take place in downtown San Francisco, on the UC Berkeley campus, on the Peninsula, and occasionally in San Jose.

Compensation
In addition to optional quarterly happy hours for our Volunteers and free attendance to all SVMN programs, the Videographer will receive $100 per event for all filming services. SVMN is looking for a reliable videographer for a minimum of 5 events.

How to Apply
Email Daphne Adam, Volunteer Coordinator at Daphne@svmicrofinance.org, and include “Volunteer Videographer” in the subject line of the email.

Source: Volunteer Match

CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) is an independent policy and research center dedicated to advancing financial access for the world’s poor. Their “Microfinance Now” series features interviews with leading figures in the world of microfinance.  Here is a recap of their last 5 episodes:

Samit Ghosh
In this interview Samit Ghosh, CEO and Founder of Ujjivan, a microfinance institution based in Bangalore working with the urban poor, talks about the microcredit crisis in Andhra Pradesh, and how other institutions continue to work in India. Ghosh discusses the role for microfinance given the impact of inflation on the poor in India. Ghosh founded Ujjivan when he retired from banking in 2005, and here he makes the case for MFIs to understand the importance of their connections to the community…

Shodh Yatra: an Indian microfinance journey
Shodh Yatra: an Indian microfinance journey This film follows Vijay Mahajan on the final days of his journey through India exploring the lives and livelihoods of the poor. Vijay, who is the current Chair of CGAP’s Executive Committee and Chairman of BASIX, a microfinance and livelihoods business headquartered in Hyderabad, has been on the front lines of the battle in Andhra Pradesh. His journey by foot, public transport, and by car took him across five thousand kilometers of India to meet and …

Sub-K: seeking the next breakthrough in financia…
In this short video Vijay Mahajan, Chair of Basix, welcomes a new customer to Sub-K, Basix’ new agent banking service in Panchlingala, a small village on the outskirts of Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The customer has brought two forms of photo ID with him to open the account, and he speaks his voice password into the agent’s mobile phone in Kannada, one of five languages in which the service works. It is “truly a high-tech solution,” says Mahajan, brought to outlets like this small store where p…

Microfinance Now: Tilman Ehrbeck
Interview with Tilman Ehrbeck, CEO of CGAP

Richard Rosenberg on over-indebtedness
CGAP senior advisor Richard Rosenberg talks about what he considers to be the biggest challenge facing the microfinance industry today: defining and “getting a handle” on the levels of over-indebtedness experienced by poor people around the world.

Organizational Overview:
Opportunity Fund is a not-for-profit financial institution that advances the economic well being of working people by helping them earn, save, and invest in the future. With a staff of 40 people and annual operating budget of $7 million, our award winning programs have directed over $200 million into low-income communities in the SF Bay Area and helped thousands of clients improve their lives.

Position Summary:
Opportunity Fund is seeking a qualified Customer Service Rep to support marketing/sales efforts to bring in qualified loan application packages. Qualified candidates have demonstrated the ability for excellent customer service and administrative support in a high volume, entrepreneurial environment. This is a great entry-level role for someone looking to join a dynamic team with growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Loan application screening and conversion
• Respond quickly to high volume of inbound phone calls and referrals, and use good judgment to effectively determine prospective application fit with product guidelines
• Pull credit reports and conduct preliminary assessment
• Efficiently educate clients and/or referral partners and move on from unqualified leads
• Successfully sell, motivate and bring in qualified application packages from good prospects
• Good client experience that induces high customer satisfaction and positive referrals
• Respond quickly to clients on all calls, emails and other inquiries
• Clearly communicate/set client expectations on turn-around time and loan request viability
• Efficiently gather information and documents from clients
• Provide helpful credit/business information, even for declines
• Diligent pipeline management
• Efficiently and accurately enter loan application data into system/database
• Verify / audit application information provided by applicant and ensure complete loan file
• Diligently follow up on specific leads through calls, document collection, etc.
• Send decline letters and make calls for loan approval notification
• Administrative, marketing, operations support as needed – i.e. direct mail, collections, etc.

Qualifications:

• Fluent in Spanish
• 2-5 years customer service and sales experience, preferably with financial services or consumer product/service targeted at small business owners
• Organized, detail-oriented, excellent at multi-tasking, follow through and delivering on deadlines
• Fast and comfortable with customer relationship management software/databases
• Good judgment and quick decision making
• Energetic personality and superior communication skills
• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, team-oriented, mission-driven environment

Compensation and Office Location:

• This position may require local travel to visit clients, a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance. Mileage will be reimbursed.
• Opportunity Fund’s principal office is in San Jose, with a satellite office in San Francisco.
• Base salary and incentive for exceeding goals, dependent on experience.
• Competitive benefits package including vacation, sick leave, medical, dental, vision and retirement.

Source: Idealist.org

Here’s an interview with Casey Wilson, the Co-Founder of Wokai.org in China:

On November 10, Grameen Foundation will host its inaugural “Hong Kong Grameen Foundation Experience,” celebrate solutions to ending poverty across Asia. As part of the event, Grameen is hosting an auction with a distinctive selection of art and exdperiences.  From art to travel and internships, there are some great items at the auction.

A multi-media portrait of Muhammad Yunus:

3-Day Family Visit to Southern Luzon in the Philippines:

View all of the items at Grameen

The International Finance Corporation: IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people s lives. In addition to its investment work, IFC provides a number of advisory services funded through different donors as well as its own income-generating activities, by developing targeted programs and projects to strengthen financial institutions and markets. IFC & Microfinance: Financial inclusion encompasses the range, quality and availability of financial services to the underserved and the financially excluded. Some 3 billion adults – almost 70 percent of the population in developing countries – have little or no access to formal financial services . IFC s financial inclusion efforts focus not only on the financially excluded but also on the underserved micro-and small enterprises amd low-income populations in developing countries . Formal financial services such as savings, loans, and money transfers enable poor families to invest in enterprises and improve their nutrition, living conditions , and the health and education of their children. IFC is leading global investors in terms of volume. In FY11, IFC committed US$382 million in 42 projects with financial institutions . Also, as of June 2011, IFC had a committed microfinance portfolio of US$1.2 billion. And an additional US$55.1 million in grant funding, representing 67 projects. Combining investment capital, strong governance and Advisory Services, IFC s focus is on creating and supporting commercially viable microfinance institutions that can attract the private capital needed to scale up and respond to unmet demand. IFC Microfinance Advisory Services The Access to Finance Advisory Services Department (A2F), under the Vice Presidency of Business Advisory Services, is a joint World Bank/IFC group that caters to both policy and project related advisory work on financial markets, financial institutions and financial infrastructure. A2F Global Microfinance Advisory Product supports the implementation of IFC s microfinance strategy across IFC s regional programs by providing technical expertise in the design of Microfinance Advisory interventions; facilitates cross-learning and the sharing of best practice approaches through knowledge management platforms; and supports innovation of new products in collaboration with other Product Lines, including Retail Payments, SME Banking, Leasing, Agrifinance & Insurance. The Product also supports the implementation of IFC s Responsible Finance agenda for microfinance.

Duties and Accountabilities:
IFC is seeking to recruit a highly-motivated Senior Microfinance Specialist, with extensive hands on experience in designing and managing commercially-oriented microfinance operations globally and ideally a prior experience as a provider of microfinance and/or financial services consultant. He/ She will be part of a global team responsible for asserting IFC s position as a knowledge leader in Microfinance, promoting and supporting IFC s Microfinance programs and contributing to the design and implementation of knowledge management tools and standards. He/she will actively participate in the dissemination of best practices in Microfinance globally. The Senior Microfinance Specialist will be based in Washington, DC and will be part of the Access To Finance Retail and Micro group. He/she will report to the Global Product Leader for Microfinance. Specific tasks/responsibilities include:

• Global Microfinance Advisory Program: Provide technical expertise in the design of the implementation strategy for the Program s activities. This includes liaising with the Risk Management Group to develop appropriate risk management and corporate governance advisory interventions for the microfinance industry, and contributing to the implementation of the Responsible Finance initiative.
• Global Portfolio Monitoring: contribute to the design of global portfolio reviews, prepare quantitative/qualitative reports on the performance and facilitate the dissemination of lessons, best practices and new ideas.
• Knowledge Management: lead the design of flagship technical publications, design training programs to enhance microfinance expertise within IFC operations staff and contribute to enhancing IFC s contribution to the industry by serving as a Senior Technical Specialist in external microfinance forums.
• Technical Advice on Projects: Support regional and country teams by serving as a technical specialist supporting the design and structuring of Advisory interventions. This will include conducting detailed appraisals/ evaluations of microfinance projects operations, preparing technical reports which include recommendations for internal and client use, identifying and selecting short-term consultants/ firms and reviewing the deliverables of third parties, supporting the implementation of projects to ensure overall quality control in line with corporate monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Product Development : in collaboration with other specialists, including Retail Payments, SME Banking, Leasing, Agrifinance, Housing & Insurance, design sound approaches for the diversification of financial services for the micro client segment.

Selection Criteria:

• MBA or equivalent and senior operational experience in both developed and emerging markets , with at least 10 years in managing commercially oriented financial services for microenterprises, small business and low-income populations.
• Experience in designing country- and region-wide microfinance advisory programs in emerging markets .
• Internationally recognized leadership in the banking, consulting or development finance community particularly in the field of microfinance and SME banking.
• Technical expertise in microfinance tools, products and methodologies in developing countries , including conflict affected regions. ,
• Strong familiarity with international best market practices and global trends in the microfinance sector, with specific expertise in Retail Payments/Mobile Banking, microsaving, microinsurance and/or microhousing.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively.
• Experience in due diligence exercises for investments in emerging markets banks.
• Fluent English, spoken and written; French, Spanish and/or Arabic desirable.
• A keen interest in development finance and in working in a multicultural environment.
• Strong client relationship management skills and ability to establish strong credibility among senior clients.
• Ability to work effectively in teams, communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date: Friday, 04 November 2011

Source: UNJobs.org

About the Organization:
The Microfinance Information Exchange, Inc. (MIX) is the leading business information provider dedicated to strengthening the microfinance sector. MIX promotes financial transparency in the industry and helps building the information infrastructure in developing countries. MIX provides detailed financial and social performance information from leading microfinance institutions and market facilitators as well as from leading donor organizations and investors in microfinance.

About the position:  
MIX is searching for an Intern working 10 hours per week on its Social Performance Program. S/he will provide assistance on data review, mapping, analysis and survey creation.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Collect, process and review data on social performance
• Map, analyze and benchmark data
• Help with survey creation and distribution

Qualifications:

• Master’s student or Master’s Degree in the area of international development, economics or finance
• At least one year of work experience in the microfinance or development sector, possibly with data analysis (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent knowledge of excel
• Experience with survey design a plus

How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume and – if available – a writing sample related to microfinance/development studies to Ms. Micol Pistelli at mpistelli@themix.org

This is a paid position.
Closing Date: November 10, 2011