About the Organization:
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a subsidiary organization of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nation's UNCTAD and provides trade-related technical assistance. ITC's mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition-economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions and policymakers.
Background
In order to meet the needs of a new segment of clients, specifically women informal cross border traders and women MSMEs, ITC is seeking to diversify its Access to Finance (A2F) offering. To do this, the A2F is seeking to work with microfinance institutions (MFIs) and other development financing entities who could support the unique financing needs of women micro-entrepreneurs and informal cross border traders.
About the Job:
ITC is looking for an International Consultant, Microfinance – Women Informal Cross Border Traders to assist the business environment section to provide an update to ITC’s Access to Finance for SME strategy, incorporating microfinance methodologies, and other innovative solutions applicable to the needs of women informal cross border traders and women MSMEs in developing countries. S/he will work under the direct supervision of ITC’s Access to Finance unit and the chief, business environment.The duration of the contract is 25 days.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Undertake desk research, and in selected countries on best practices on microfinance for MSMEs worldwide and especially in East Africa countries;
- Research on the microfinance usage among women informal cross border traders in East Africa;
- Identify guarantee funds and/or credit lines schemes for MFIs to enable better access to affordable finance by MSMEs and informal cross border traders;
- Propose an outline of the capacity building needed by women informal cross border traders and MSMEs to successfully access MFI’s finance solutions. Provide assistance to design an appropriate credit scoring tool for MFIs that will help them mitigate risk and better assess the potential MSMEs;
- Research on any other alternative financing solutions for women informal cross border traders and MSMEs to improve their access to finance;
- Design and pilot a business model for the ITC offer that takes into account of microfinance solutions;
- Provide inputs to update the action plan and implementation strategy for ITC’s Access to Finance for MSME’s offer;
- Provide inputs in project plan development as necessary;
- Undertake travel to Uganda and Tanzania to meet with MSMEs and financial institutions.
Qualifications:
- Advanced University degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline;
- Minimum of 8 years postgraduate professional operational experience in developing and implementing Access to Finance programs in commercial or development banks, international development organizations, bilateral development funds or finance related international organizations;
- Experience in assessing and or implementing sector oriented activities of development or commercial banks or other financial intermediaries;
- Experience in writing successful funding proposals;
- Experience in developing MSME finance solutions, including microfinance;
- Advanced knowledge of English;
- Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.
Closing Date: 21 Sep 2012
How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume and cover letter to
Yaya Ouattara
Contact:
Yaya Ouattara
ouattara@intracen.org
Geneva
Switzerland
