Voice Services Manager (Regular Project Employee)

Position: Voice Services Manager (Regular Project Employee) 

Location: Uganda (based in Kampala) 

Job Type: 24 month term 

Starting Date: October 2010 (Contingent on Funding)

 About the Voice Information Fulfillment Initiative (VIF) and the Grameen Foundation 

Grameen Foundation intends to build a social enterprise responsive to the information needs of low-income Ugandans which delivers timely, relevant and useful information primarily through voice-based interactions similar to a customer care call center.  This sustainable business has the potential to improve lives through providing answers to common questions faced in real-time and in a personalized and comprehensible format while developing the private sector ICT capabilities and demonstrating the potential of the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) market segment to private sector partners.  

VIF is an initiative of the Grameen Technology Center (part of the Grameen Foundation). The Center focuses on technology that makes microfinance operations more efficient, creates income-generating opportunities for the rural poor and provides the poor with direct access to critical information and resources. Our efforts support the Grameen Foundation’s mission to enable the poor, and especially the poorest, to create a world without poverty.  We have a strong history of working in Uganda to develop mobile phone and ICT interventions capable of improving the lives of low-income individuals, and we intend to leverage that foundation with this new initiative.

Job Description 

Grameen Foundation seeks a leader to build, manage and scale the VIF.  The Voice Services Manager will be directly responsible for the success of the project in Uganda, providing operational leadership of our efforts and managing the team and partners involved in the initiative.  This is a strong leadership opportunity for a dynamic and experienced professional with a belief in the potential of technology to meaningfully improve to rural livelihoods.   

Specific Responsibilities include the following: 

Define and develop the VIF Operating Model

• Develop VIF strategy and milestones and lead implementation of both

• Develop the content strategy related to which sectors and verticals VIC will provide expertise in, and how to optimize the quality and reach our content and expertise

• Leverage team’s knowledge, partner discussions and completed research studies to develop a deep understanding of complementary initiatives, global trends in voice-based services, and use learning from related experiences to incorporate into implementation strategy 

• Drive business decision-making and sustainability strategy for the initiative

• Manage key partner relationships critical to the project’s success 

Implement with excellence 

• Prepare ambitious but achievable project plan for each phase of the project building up to scaling phase 

• Actively manage implementation -- problem solving and removing barriers as they arise 

• Design and monitor marketing and field outreach to ensure we are reaching the desired population with a quality product at the right price and with the right promotion

• Build, manage, direct and mentor local team 

Track and report results 

• Clearly define success metrics for each aspect of the project and the business overall

• Establish transparent and easily accessible reporting framework to measure and communicate progress on a real-time basis (including budget) 

• Prepare timely and comprehensive analyses of progress against metrics and milestones, 

• Oversee development and ongoing use of monitoring and evaluation framework 

• Prepare summary updates and reports as needed for HQ, funders, partners and other entities

Ideal Candidate Profile 

Outstanding general and project management skills 

• Experienced and savvy business manager with a proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations (ideally in multiple countries) 

• Demonstrated experience in complex project management (operational and tactical) – with proven ability to work effectively with diverse partners 

Strong business leadership abilities 

• Mature and experienced leader

• Strong, innovative and creative problem solver and strategic thinker 

• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills 

• High energy and an entrepreneurial spirit -- with the ability to think strategically and act tactically 

• Comfort with unstructured problems and ability to manage complexities under pressure 

• Ability to promote knowledge transfer through strong mentoring and team building skills 

Enthusiasm and passion for development work in Uganda and beyond 

• Deep understanding of and commitment to development in Africa, agriculture and the poor

• Enthusiasm for learning from different cultures – eager to build cultural realities into products and project plans 

• Belief in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) for the benefit of smallholder farmers – preferably with practical experience 

• Commitment to building social and gender equity into program design and approach

• Equally comfortable presenting to or negotiating with a room of business executives and discussing needs with villagers sitting on the dirt floor of a rural home 

• Passionate about the work of the Grameen Foundation and the importance of technology in poverty alleviation 

Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in international development, economics, public policy, business (MBA) or related field preferred

• At least 5 years of project or organizational management – ideally with a leading agricultural organization, poverty-focused NGO or top consulting firm 

• Understanding of the operations and economics of a call center and customer care environment – preferably through direct management or oversight

• Experience working in agricultural development in developing countries – ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa 

• Experience in information and communication technology (ICTs) preferred 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required 

Compensation 

• Competitive salary with potential for Expat benefits 

• Unparalleled opportunity to build creative business models and develop innovative solutions to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, with the potential for global replication and broad poverty alleviation 

Contact 

Interested applicants please to apply jobs@grameenfoundation.org.