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 looking for an Associate. S/he 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. S/he will provide support to other members of the investment team in the tasks outlined below. S/he will manage or co-manage a pool of R/RO’s clients as well as maintain and further develop relationships with them. This position is 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;
- 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 and 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 the existing and potential clients, submission of requests to and receipt of initial data from the MFIs, completion of pre-DD documentation;
- Manage logistics of the DD trips for traveling investment team members;
- 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 DD 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, prepare 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.
Qualifications:
- Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or related field;
- At least 3 to 5 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 line returns and microfinance in emerging markets, developing economies, and in markets in transition;
- 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;
- 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.
Closing Date: 16 Nov 2012
How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume, cover letter, and references to eca@blueorchard.com and psg@blueorchard.com
