Information Technology Consultant for Accounting Integration, Philippines

Grameen Foundation (http://www.grameenfoundation.org/) is a global non-profit organization that combines microfinance, new technologies, and innovation to empower the world's poorest people to escape poverty.   

GF’s Technology for microfinance (T4MF) initiative is addressing the overall technology need in the

microfinance industry through  strategic consulting, deployment work, and technology platform to get MFIs up and running on Mifos (Microfinance Open Source http://www.mifos.org), education services, and work building the community and network of technical resources and specialists. 

Our project at KMBI (http://www.kmbi.org.ph) includes selecting, implementing, and integrating an Accounting System with Mifos. We are looking for an IT consultant who will lead this effort.

The objective of this assignment is to guide our client MFI throughout the process of selection, implementation, and integration of an accounting system.  It is expected that this will be achieved by specifying the functional requirements for such a system, preparing the request for proposals, developing selection criteria, guiding throughout the selection and negotiation process with the vendors, working with the MFI to re-engineer business processes with the new accounting system, overseeing technical integration between the accounting system and Mifos, and then overseeing the vendors during the implementation stage to ensure optimal effectiveness.  

The project will be completed with the successful implementation of the accounting system, with the functions necessary to integrate the accounting system with Mifos and the MFI’s redesigned accounting business processes. The assignment is expected to start in the first quarter of 2010.

The IT Consultant will be expected to work a standard work week of 37.5 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done. The position will work on-site in the MFI office for the duration of the contract. Travel to other regions of the Philippines for project assessment, testing, and monitoring may be required.

Contractor Obligations:

• Lead the requirements definition, selection, and implementation of the Accounting system.
• Lead the analysis and documentation of business and software requirements including:
  • Analysis of business process, related performance measurements, data and business rules and transaction volumes.
  • Understanding the business issues, problems, performance and gaps with current processes;
  • Identification of inputs/information and outputs/reports and flow of information requirements;
  • Determination of informational, functional, security, training and quality requirements; and
  • Prioritization of these requirements.
• Lead the software selection process, including:
  • Drafting the Request For Proposal (RFP) document;
  • Obtaining management approval of the RFP;
  • Developing vendor evaluation criteria and presenting technical and cost factors;
  • Using evaluation criteria, provide software recommendation to MFI
• Provide guidance in vendor selection, including:
  • Work with management and technical team to review vendor proposals;
  • Provide guidance in negotiations with short-listed vendors;
  • Review contractual arrangements and provide recommendations as required.
• Oversee implementation of the selected Accounting System including:
  • Review the Accounting System applications and ensure their functionality is line with the business requirements;
  • Work with KMBI staff to ensure that that all data needing to be transferred is available and in the right format;
  • Work with KMBI to conduct all necessary testing to verify the integrity and of the accounting system, including integration with Mifos and business processes;
  • Ensure that the Accounting System provider adequately trains a sufficient number of KMBI personnel in order for KMBI to be able to successfully operate and maintain the new Accounting System.
• Work closely with the MFI at each stage of the project to ensure knowledge and skills transfer and project continuity.
• Identify and recommend human resources needed to implement and maintain the Accounting System.
• Ensure acquisition and installation of hardware, software, and network infrastructure needed to implement and maintain the Accounting System.
• Define success criteria for the project and design and implement metrics to measure success.
• Share and document challenges, learnings, and best practices to other GF Technology Program Managers.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
• Experience planning and managing complex systems integration projects with full implementation lifecycle (from program definition to measuring results)
• Experience discerning and appropriately prioritizing the right business and technology needs from stakeholders with limited technology experience.
• Experience in business process reengineering experience including analysis, mapping and process measurement and redesign
• Experience evaluating, selecting and implementing Accounting Systems
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; experience mentoring team members and influencing executive management
• Ability to effectively communicate priorities, delivery expectations, progress, risks and concerns to multiple stakeholders
• Ability to design and execute technology projects with limited supervision
• Experience living and traveling internationally, preferably in developing countries
• Fluency in English and Filipino
• Knowledge of relevant MIS industry development in region a plus
• Comfortable presenting to a room of business executives and discussing needs with villagers sitting on the dirt floor of a rural home

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of five years progressive and relevant experience
• Experience working in technology for development preferred

Interested candidates may apply by email to mvaldez@grameenfoundation.org by February 26, 2010. Please put “IT Consultant for Accounting Integration, Philippines” in the subject line.  No Calls Please. 

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE POSITION. AS A CONSULTANT YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO GRAMEEN FOUNDATION BENEFITS OR INSURANCES. YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ALL REQUIRED FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, SELF EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND OTHER SIMILAR TAXES AND FOR OBTAINING APPROPRIATE VISAS AND INSURANCES FOR THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.