About the Organization:
BlueOrchard is a Swiss-based company specializing in the management of microfinance investment products. Its mission is to empower the poor worldwide and improve their quality of life by promoting income-generating activities through private investments in microfinance. It develops and manages financial products and services that invest in MFIs who support millions of promising small enterprises in low-income regions worldwide.
About the Job:
BlueOrchard is seeking an Associate Investment Team Member who will be part of the regional investment team and will report to the head of the regional/representative office (R/RO) of Eastern Europe and Caucasus and support other members of the investment team in the tasks outlined below. The incumbent will manage or co-manage a pool of R/RO’™s clients as well as maintain and further develop relationships with them. S/he will assist the Head of the R/RO in developing new business opportunities for the R/RO and will have a good understanding of BlueOrchard Finance’s (BOF) business model, business processes and knowledge of applying BOF’™s methodology. In accordance with the BOF’s procedures, s/he will use BOF’s tools to perform financial analysis of and assess credit risk posed by the MFIs in close coordination with more senior positions within the region, including the head of the R/RO. More broadly, s/he will apply BOF’s methodology to perform analysis and assist in producing reports on microfinance markets and country risks. The Associate must have a good understanding of the microfinance markets in the Region served by the R/RO and s/he will be responsible for managing or co-managing part of the R/RO’s loan portfolio and relationships with the clients. The Associate will assist the Head of R/RO in development of new business for the R/RO. S/he will work in Geneva and may be required to undertake frequent travels in Eastern Europe and Caucasus. S/he should be willing to relocate eventually to a BlueOrchard Regional/Representative office. For working permit purposes, this position is only open to Swiss/ European Union citizens or Swiss working permit holders.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- MFI relationship and credit management:
- Initiate and maintain communication with the MFIs;
- Assist in the selection of MFIs for financing;
- Collect, analyze, and file MFIs’ documentation, including but not limited to operational, financial and, social information;
- Prepare credit proposals and submit to the credit committee for review and decision;
- Participate in the credit committee meetings with the assistance of other investment team members;
- Develop and propose financial strength and credit ratings for the MFIs;
- Participate in negotiations with clients on the conditions/credit terms led by more senior investment team members;
- Provide support and assist in preparing loan documentation, negotiating and closing the loan deals, disbursement of loan proceeds, and perform required follow-up on loan transactions;
- Monitor performance of MFI clients and perform monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual analytical reviews, assess credit risk of the outstanding loans to the MFIs and follow-up with the clients as prescribed by BOF’s credit procedures and as required by supervisors;
- Perform research and monitoring of microfinance markets and collect and report relevant information to supervisors on MFIs qualified as potential clients;
- Participate in intra-regional working groups to improve internal BOF tools and procedures.
- Due diligence (DD) of MFIs
- Together with the supervisor(s) and/or senior investment team members plan and prepare due diligence trips to MFIs, including but not limited to contacts with the MFIs, pre-DD desk reviews of then existing and potential clients, submission of requests to and receipt of initial data from the MFIs, completion of pre-DD documentation;
- Together with other investment team members, participate in on-site due diligence of the MFIs;
- Collect, organize, analyze, and report information and data obtained during the DD trips;
- Draft and file MFI due diligence reports.
- Country risk analysis:
- Carry out research and prepare reports on country risk, including, but not limited to macroeconomic, political, legal, regulatory, market, and other risks;
- Carry out research and prepare and update information and reports on regulatory and competitive environment of the local microfinance sector;
- Draft and update country risk reports with the assistance of senior investment team members.
- Portfolio and investors reporting:
- Together with senior investment team members perform portfolio analysis and report to supervisors, portfolio managers, and investors;
- Assist with fund management tasks, as required;
- Manage logistics of the DD trips for traveling investment team members.
Qualifications:
- Strong financial analysis skills;
- Thorough understanding of the due-diligence and lending processes in the microfinance sector and skills in performing due diligence of MFIs;
- Skills in assessing credit risk and developing credit proposals;
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, and ability to inform and persuade verbally and in writing;
- Advanced personal organization and planning skills and ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously;
- Result-driven, able to work in a fast paced environment, flexible with « hands-on » approach;
- Excellent written and spoken English skills and ability to freely communicate in at least one other language spoken in the region served by the regional/representative office.
- Knowledge and experience:
- Degree in finance, business economics, or related field;
- At least three to five years of relevant working experience in banking, microfinance or economic development sectors;
- Previous experience in financing credit institutions and performing credit risk assessment and financial and social due diligence of MFIs is desired;
- Proven interest in impact investing, double bottom live returns and microfinance in emerging markets, developing economies, and in markets in transition.
- Personal profile:
- Demonstrated team player with ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
- Ambition to excel and to assume increasing responsibilities;
- Self-learner and good predisposition to learn from others;
- Ability to effectively work in small teams and in highly challenging work environments and conditions, flexibility and capability and willingness to assist other team members with their tasks;
- Ability to identify and formulate critical issues, pragmatic approach to analysis of data, information, and facts as well as capability to draw appropriate conclusions from the information available;
- Ability to multi-task and meat the deadlines;
- Self-starter with good work habits and positive energy;
- Willingness to live and work in developing countries or countries in transition and ability to frequently undertake work related travel in the region.
Closing Date: 30 Nov 2012
How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume, cover letter, and references to
Contact:
Eleonora Castaldo
eca@blueorchard.com
Geneva
Switzerland
