Project Director, Forgotten Bottom Initiative, Washington, DC

Job Summary: This position will be responsible for executing a three year, multi-country project to strengthen savings services at three leading microfinance institutions (MFIs). The Project Director will ensure that 1.45 million new savers are reached during the life of the project by strengthening product design, marketing, operational processes, and institutional capacity at each MFI. The Project Director will also contribute to strategy formulation for the Forgotten Bottom Initiative, a new program at Grameen Foundation USA to ensure microfinance outreach to the world’s poorest people.

Reporting and relationships: The position will report to the Director, Forgotten Bottom Initiative.

Availability: The Project Director is expected to work a typical work week of 37.5 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done. The position will require international travel. Applicants should be willing to travel 30-40% of time.

Essential Job Functions:

• Launch, implement, and monitor the Microsavings project with the goal of providing savings to a significant number of very poor people with a replicable model
• Implement and manage Microsavings project to ensure compliance with organizational strategies, goals, and objectives, and ensure the project meets negotiated terms and budget. Review and approve expenditures.
• Manage a team of at least four people spread across three continents; collaborate with at least at least three other GF program teams to implement project; effectively utilize consulting resources
• Steward relationship with implementing MFIs to ensure goals alignment throughout the life of the project
• Oversee performance monitoring for all partners and staff working on the Microsavings project
• Support GF Development team in stewarding relationship with donor
• Cultivate partnerships with and maintain relationships with relevant industry stakeholders, including partners and subcontractors on savings project
• Contribute to proposal development, project management, case study development, and research in other Forgotten Bottom projects as requested by the Director

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expert understanding of implementing savings services for the very poor in developing countries
• Background in international development theory and practice, with particular emphasis on financial services for the poor
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including management of multi-country projects
• Ability to deliver results on-time and within budget
• Excellent writing, research and communication skills; ability to gather, synthesize and present information in a professional, compelling, and practical manner
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis skills, including use of financial models
• Highly self-motivated, self-directed, and attentive to detail
• Positive experiences working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment; strong bias to action
• Demonstrated commitment to GF values

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree preferred in business administration, international development, or a related field
• Five to ten years of management level experience in microfinance, banking, or a related international development field
• Proven track record of securing funding for and leading large, complex projects
• Work experience in international development, preferably in a developing country

Physical and Environmental Conditions:
This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort. This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comment:
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Interested candidates may apply by email to: jobs@grameenfoundation.org with “PD-FB” in the subject line. No Calls Please.