Program Assistant, Microsavings Initiative

The Solutions for the Poorest (SfP) group is focused on scaling solutions that are specifically designed to improve the lives and livelihoods of the poorest people in the world (those earning less than $1/day).  TheMicroSavings Initiative is a 3 year program designed to enable three microfinance institiutions to dramatically scale voluntary savings products to the poor ultimately adding 1.45M new savers over the next three years. 

Job Summary: The Program Assistant enables the smooth daily running of the project by ensuring that proper administrative systems are established and followed.  S/he is responsible for a diverse range of administrative and budget management duties to support the Project Director.  This person will be responsible for assisting the Project Director doing business analysis, basic financial modeling and understanding the social impact of the project. This person will carry out day to day activities which include updating and managing budget, reporting activities, communication plans including interacting with our donors and customers on an ongoing basis, coordinate travel, plan meetings/events, and general administrative support. 

Reporting: Reports to Project Director of MicroSavings Initiative within the Grameen Foundation’s Solutions for the Poorest group.  This person will be expected to broadly interact with staff across the organization to represent this initiative. 

Availability: The Program Assistant will be expected to work a standard work week of 37.5 hours, and may at times be asked to work additional hours to complete projects.

Essential Job Functions:
• Provide support to the Project Director, including creating expense reports, monthly and quarterly reports, PowerPoint presentations and other materials.
• Manage project correspondence and assist with basic project management and logistics, including project (electronic and paper) files and project master calendar
• Contribute to design and development of reports presented to senior management, the Microfinance institutions, and the donor organization
• Contribute to coordination of annual planning and budgeting processes
• Assist with the onboarding of new project team members to ensure proper integration of the Grameen Foundation organization
• Assist in the analysis of the social and financial impact of the project.
• Provide support and assist the finance team in managing the budget for the project and ensure timely reports are available to the project team as needed. Activities will include but are not limited to tracking of all contracts, financial performance of the contracts, payment requests, and budget reporting.
• Arrange meetings, schedule appointments and make travel arrangements as requested.
• Assist in maintaining the Communication Plan for internal and external constituencies. 
• Organize meetings or conferences by arranging facilities, catering, event materials, and invitations
• As appropriate, develop and/or adapt improved work methods and procedures to accomplish work assignments 
• Identifies, communicates, and responds to problems or challenges that may affect the ability of project to meet its goals. Usually required to research and integrate information from various sources to determine a solution and make recommendations for change.  
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
• Strong oral and written communication skills including English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Native level English skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact successfully with a variety of personalities and situations requiring tact, judgment, and poise
• Demonstrated strong organizational task management skills
• Strong financial budgeting experience and expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated advance knowledge with the rest of the MS Office suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Good problem solving skills; able to apply independent judgment, discretion and initiative to address problems and develop solutions
• Able to effectively handle multiple tasks, changing priorities and moderately complex assignments
• Previous experience in a fast paced, high profile environment with the proven ability to perform proficiently all office assignments
• Knowledge of Project Planning and Collaboration software is plus

Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in international development, finance, accounting, or related field preferred
• 2-3 years of administrative experience with exposure to project management or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Knowledge of microfinance a plus
• International experience a plus
• Ability to work in the U.S.

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. 

For more information about Grameen Foundation please visit our website at grameenfoundation.org.  Interested candidates may apply by email to jobs@grameenfoundation.org by January 30, 2010. Please put “PA-MS” in the subject line.  No Calls Please.