Program Assistant, Technology for Microfinance

The Technology for Microfinance (T4MF) team is focused on transforming technology from a barrier into an accelerator for microfinance institutions.  The team is engaging in an 18-month program to build the technology capacity of microfinance institutions in Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.  

Job Summary:  Grameen Foundation USA is seeking a Program Assistant located in Seattle, Washington.   The Program Assistant is responsible for a diverse range of administrative and budget management duties supporting the T4MF program.  This person will carry out day-to-day program support activities which include receipt and budget management, contract management, donor reporting compliance, communications across the T4MF team and with other Grameen Foundation teams, travel coordination, meeting/event planning and general administrative duties.

Reporting and relationships: 
• Reports to the Business Operations Manager, T4MF group
• This person will be responsible for supporting various members of the department to efficiently carry out their goals.
• 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 typical work week of 37.5 hours plus additional hours as necessary to complete projects. 

Essential Job Functions:
• Establish and manage record keeping systems and procedures for tracking and reporting all project expenses and accounts receivable.  Activities will include but are not limited to tracking of program staff time and expense receipts, issuing and tracking payment requests, and budget reporting; 
• Manage the receipt, generation, processing, and tracking all legal documents.
• Provide support to ensure donor reporting compliance for both quarterly donor reports and ad hoc requests.
• Manage project correspondence and assist with basic project management and logistics, including project (electronic and paper) files and project master calendar
• Assist in maintaining program communications for internal and external constituencies, including but not limited to creating and circulating scheduled program updates and coordinating T4MF activities with other GF product and regional teams.
• Make travel arrangements for program staff as requested
• Provide head office support for off-site or traveling staff
• Coordinate project meetings including logistics, agenda, meeting materials, and taking and distributing minutes;  Organize larger team-wide offsites or conferences by arranging facilities, catering, event materials, and invitations
• Provide support to the T4MF Executive Director, including creating expense reports, updating timesheets, assist in creating PowerPoint presentations and other materials.
• As appropriate, develop and/or adapt improved work methods and procedures to accomplish work assignments 
• Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact successfully in a cross-cultural environment 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 advanced knowledge with the rest of the MS Office suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Able to effectively work on a number of small projects simultaneously, handle multiple tasks, and adapt to changing priorities
• Good problem solving skills; able to apply independent judgment, discretion and initiative to address problems and develop solutions
• Previous experience in a fast paced, high profile environment with the proven ability to perform proficiently on all office assignments
• Knowledge of Project Planning and Collaboration software is plus

Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in international development, business, finance, accounting, or technology 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 and International experience is a plus

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 should send a resume with a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested and what you will bring to the position.  Resumes will be accepted through February 28, 2010 and should be sent via email to jobs@grameenfoundation.org. Please put “Program Assistant Technology MF” in the subject line.  No Calls Please.