MFWG-Vacancy

Position: Microfinance Training & Capacity Building Expert (Lao Consultant )
Work Location: Based in MFWG Office in Vientiane
Starting Date: 6 August 2012 (for a total of 25 days)

The Microfinance Working Group for the Lao PDR (MFWG) was establishe in May 2007 to promote the development of a sustainable microfinance sector that operates in line with international standards and that contributes to poverty reduction in the long term. As the national Microfinance Industry Network, the
MFWG brings together microfinance practitioners and other relevant stakeholders to share experience and information about the sector with the goal to improve sector coordination, transparency, sustainability and quality of microfinance services. The MFWG provides services in the following core areas: Knowledge management/ research & representation, policy advocacy and capacity building/training. The network is now expanding its capacity building and training services in order to strengthen the expertise of MFI staff and Boards and therefore plans to engage a local training and capacity building expert. S/he will work with and report to the MFWG Board of Directors and Management Team.

1. Duties & Responsibilities
Support a research study on ‘The Establishment of a Microfinance Management Certificate Course’ together with an international training expert. Specific tasks include:
• Undertake a thorough desk review of relevant microfinance literature, research and existing Lao training materials
• Identify key training contents for a Microfinance Management Certificate Course and support the drafting of a curriculum design
• Assess possibility of integrating existing Lao microfinance training materials into the course curriculum
• Establish a course budget (including external funding requirements) and assess feasibility of financial sustainability of such a course
• Establish an admission and grading system for trainees and a certification system for trainers
• Organize meetings with key microfinance stakeholders based in Lao PDR
• Provide technical input and support where required during the research and to the final report
• Provide oral and written translation from Lao into English and vice versa
• Be the liaison person in charge of any follow up work related to the research outcome and identified next steps with regards the establishment of the course
2. Qualifications and Skill Requirements:
• At least a Master’s Degree in economics, finance, accounting or related business degree
• Solid microfinance expertise and understanding of Lao microfinance sector and its challenges
• At least 5 years training experience in microfinance and knowledge of policies affecting microfinance institutions
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of participatory training methods
• Experience in individual coaching of MFIs in Lao PDR
• Able to establish excellent working relationships with different microfinance stakeholders (microfinance practitioners, donors, bi/multi-lateral agencies,

(I)NGOs, service providers, policy makers, Government authorities/line ministries, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (English & Lao)
• Strong negotiation, advocacy and consensus-building skills
• Strong interpersonal, networking skills
• Ability and willingness to work in a team and to motivate people
• Computer literacy
3. How to apply?
Interested candidates are invited to submit a covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements together with a comprehensive CV that include at least two professional referees from different institutions (names and contact details) who are familiar with the candidate’s qualifications and work experience. Women are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should submit their applications online
to mfwglaopdr@gmail.com not later than 18 June 2012. All application documents will be treated confidentially and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. For more information on MFWG please refer to our website: www.mfwglaopdr.org