Program Officer, Manila, Philippines

Position Title: Program Officer

Status: Full Time

Location: Manila, Philippine Branch Office

Classification: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime Pay)

Date: May 2010

Job Summary:  The Program Officer provides management and analytical support to the Asia regional team.  This individual will be responsible for finding potential GF product partners, conduct due diligence and monitor performance over the life of the partnership.  

Reporting and relationships:  The Program Officer reports to the Philippine Country Director.

Availability:  The Program Officer will be expected to work a standard workweek of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done.  The position will require (30%) domestic and international travel.

Essential Job Functions

• Monitors and tracks the quarterly financial and operational reports and overall performance of GF’s  product users; ensures compliance with GF and/or donor reporting requirements in Southeast Asia

• Identifies and screens potential candidates, MFIs and other development organizations, who can benefit from use of GF’s products and services  

• Performs detailed due diligence on potential GF product users in Southeast Asia

• Implements and monitors ongoing projects, including GF products and services, ensuring timely completion within specified budget

• Represents GF at microfinance related events such as seminars, conferences, trainings and working exchanges. 

• Stays informed on industry developments and regulatory issues in Southeast Asia.

• Track poverty trends in Southeast Asia countries

• Participates in fundraising activities for GF’s Southeast Asia programs.

• Provides regular reporting on developments in microfinance in Southeast Asia and responding to requests for information.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission 

• Knowledge of microfinance industry, best practices and familiarity with different microfinance operational methodologies;

• Microfinance institutional assessment experience, credit analysis experience and experience providing trainings strongly preferred; 

• Strong financial statement analysis skills;

• Self-starter with strong self-motivation and the ability to work without  daily supervision or interaction with other staff members; 

• Proven competence in building collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders;

• Demonstrated maturity with excellent interpersonal and inter-cultural communication skills; 

• Outstanding coordination and time management skills, with ability to handle multiple activities concurrently, under pressure, and to tight deadlines;

• Understand deeply GF products and services; 

• Fluency in spoken and written English, Filipino or Bahasa; Indonesia language skills a plus;  

• Computer proficiency, especially in Outlook, Power Point, Access, Word and Excel;

• Ability to act as a representative of GF to the public;

• Commitment to eradication of poverty, specifically in Southeast Asia;

• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.

• 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 required, Master’s degree in economics, business administration, or social sciences preferred;

• Two or more years of work experience in Southeast Asia; preference for banking, technology and/or microfinance experience.

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 may apply by email to jobs@grameenfoundation.org. Please put “PO-PH” in the subject line.  No Calls Please.