"Access to Finance" Program Manager

Duration: 6-months

About Building Markets

Building Markets is an award-winning nonprofit organization that fights poverty in developing countries by connecting local entrepreneurs to new business opportunities. Through this approach, it has redirected over $1.2 billion to local businesses and helped create over 70,000 jobs in some of the world’s poorest economies. Building Markets is headquartered in New York City and currently operates programs in Liberia, Myanmar and Mozambique. For more information, please visit www.buildingmarkets.org.

Program Description

With funding from the Government of Canada, Building Markets operates the “Securing Access to Finance for Local Businesses in Mozambique” program, which continues and expands the work initiated by Building Markets through its Access to Finance project in Mozambique launched in April 2013. The ultimate outcome of the program is to see increased private sector growth, especially for small, and medium-sized entreprises (SMEs) operating on Mozambique’s key economic hubs of Maputo and Nampula.

Through relationships with SMEs, the program identifies SMEs that are qualified for investment and credit products, based on a review of their underlying credit risk. The program then guides those SMEs as they apply for and access credit and investment from the local banking and capital markets. Specific services include business planning, preparation of credit motivations, negotiation with banks and advocacy on behalf of the SMEs and general credit advice.

Position Overview

Building Markets is seeking a Program Manager who will manage the program’s staff and operations, and will establish strong relationships with donors, partners and key stakeholders in country.

Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to and implement Building Markets’ program and strategy in Mozambique;
• Oversee needs assessments, evaluations, monitoring visits;
• Oversee and implement program’s activities in accordance with the program’s work plan;
• Provide guidance and leadership (including direct implementation as required) on substantive issues including: achieving results, private sector development, procurement, SME business development, market research and training.

Representation

• Represent Building Markets and coordinate appropriately with the local banking sector and other key stakeholders as required;
• Ensure coordination with stakeholders on issues of relevance to country program;
• Regularly visit and monitor local banks as required.

Staff Management

• Train all direct reports;
• Coordinate with the Mozambique country team, HQ team and other key stakeholders;
• Manage HR and admin responsibilities;
• Manage performance of the project.

Finance Management

• Coordinate budget planning with HQ;
• Ensure budget execution at 90%/month;
• Oversee and be responsible for financial reporting from country office, including payroll, banking, taxation, etc.

Communications and Reporting

• Ensure tracking of activities and contribute to donor reporting;
• Ensure effective internal communications with project team and Mozambique country team;
• Attend to regular phone calls and correspondence with HQ;
• Ensure results and success stories are communicated appropriately and regularly.

Security Management

• Responsible for safety and security of direct reports, based on organization’s security plan.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

The following are the required key qualifications, experience and competencies:

• 5-7 years of relevant experience and a proven track record in project management;
• Degree in Finance, Commerce, Business Management or other relevant equivalent programme of study
• Excellent communications, writing and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Portuguese, an asset
• Creative mindset: initiative-rich, energetic and efficient, results-oriented
• Critical Analysis: an ability to structure and find solutions to complex problems
• Communications: good interpersonal skills and ability communicate to external counterparts and internal colleagues
• Capable of thinking “outside the box” and providing innovative approaches to programmatic and administration challenges.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter to:vacancies@buildingmarkets.org by July 16, 2015.