ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Accion International is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to building a financially inclusive world, with access to economic opportunity for all, by giving people the financial tools they need to improve their lives. It is a world pioneer in microfinance and it has helped build MFIs in several countries.
ABOUT THE JOB:
Accion International is seeking a Senior Director, Channels and Technology - Africa Region. S/he will be responsible for driving and helping implement innovative technologies and delivery channels, providing technical and management advisory services, and project management for regional partners. S/he will contribute to the planning and delivery of advisory services and training to regional partners, manage professional technical staff and consultants, and deliver advisory services and training for technology, and delivery channel projects in the region.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Provide channels and technology guidance, advisory services, and project management for microfinance bank partners:
- Work with partners to understand the business challenges, objectives and bottlenecks they face in order to advise on the use of channels and technologies that could enable the business and provide solutions;
- Work with partners to ensure their core infrastructure (i.e. core banking system, network infrastructure, connectivity, finance, reporting) can well support daily operations;
- Evaluate, monitor, and support the development of human resource capacity to manage the channels and technology activities of partners.
- Provide channels and technology guidance, advisory services, and project management for non-bank partners:
- Provide input on the strategy and planning for developments and improvements of offerings by non-bank partners;
- Support the offerings of non-bank partners by providing hands-on consulting and guidance for channels and technology solutions. Such as strengthening the technology offerings with functionality enhancements, process improvements, integration capacity with clients using the solution, inputs and improvements.
- Knowledge development and sharing:
- Develop knowledge within the focus channel and technology areas in order to provide quality, value–add services for partners. Gained via:
- Research, C&T, and training and capacity building (TCB) knowledge exchange, attend conferences, field work, through contributing in testing and validating existing tools, methods, materials, etc. and direct observation;
- Build capacity of organization's partners’ staff to implement channels and technology services and activities according to best practices.
- Develop knowledge within the focus channel and technology areas in order to provide quality, value–add services for partners. Gained via:
- Management:
- Help source, review, analyze, and manage through the negotiation and closing process advisory services funding support;
- Contribute to project planning and budgeting;
- Manage advisory services/consultancy projects from start to finish including needs assessment/evaluation, SOW creation, contract negotiation, and delivery of consultancies, review and approval of deliverables and invoices, and project closure.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, and/or related fields is required. Masters or MBA is preferred;
- About 10-12 years of experience in the banking, microfinance and/or consulting industry, preferably with significant operational experience in microfinance;
- Project management experience: detail and process oriented. Ability to motivate and develop staff;
- Consultancy experience: able to contribute to management of partner relationships;
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of time;
- Understanding of financial services and banking, knowledge of microfinance banking sector in Africa;
- Business and technical skills in key functional area(s) which include delivery channels, information and communications technology, financial services technology, and training and capacity building with channels and technology;
- Passion, curiosity, knowledge, and understanding of new technologies and digital delivery channels;
- Ability to define strategic planning and business requirements for use of channels and technology;
- Ability to operate with a minimum of supervision;
- Strong industry related analytical skills, e.g. read and interpret financial statements;
- Collaborative in nature, strong written and oral communication skills, and high comfort-level in presenting to executive teams;
- Strong negotiation skills and business judgment.
HOW TO APPLY:
