Associate

Start Date: Immediate
Position is for Grameen-Jameel Pan-Arab Microfinance Limited

Company Background and Mission:
Grameen-Jameel Pan-Arab Microfinance Limited is a social business jointly owned by
Grameen Foundation and Abdul Latif Jameel Group. The company’s core objective is
poverty alleviation in the Arab world through microfinance. Grameen-Jameel’s vision is
to reach one million new active microfinance clients in the Arab world by 2011. In order
to achieve this, the company forms strategic partnerships with microfinance institutions
(MFIs) throughout the region who share its values: commitment to reaching women and
the poorest; aggressive growth plans; and financial sustainability. Grameen-Jameel
supports its Partners by delivering a suite of customized products and services, and
provides financing through its $50 million Grameen-Jameel Guarantee Fund. Currently,
Grameen-Jameel has 10 Partners in Egypt , Morocco , Jordan , Lebanon , Palestine , Tunisia
and Yemen . The company is incorporated in Cyprus with an International Humanitarian
City branch license in Dubai .

Grameen Foundation is a global non-profit organization based in Washington , DC that
combines microfinance, technology, and innovation to empower the world’s poorest
people to escape poverty. Founded in 1997 with the support of Nobel Laureate Professor
Muhammad Yunus, GF provides financing, technology and management strategies to
microfinance institutions and other local organizations across the globe.

Abdul Latif Jameel Group, based in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia , is one of the Arab world’s
most successful and respected business groups. Founded in 1945 by the late Sheikh
Abdul Latif Jameel, the company was granted sole distribution rights for Toyota vehicles
in Saudi Arabia ten years later, which it has maintained ever since. ALJ has a very active
community services program with emphasis on education, training and development.

Job Description:
The Associate will split responsibilities with the other Middle East Associate to support
Grameen-Jameel MFI Partners and activities in Egypt , Jordan , Lebanon , Palestine and
Yemen as well as future countries targeted by Grameen-Jameel, including financing and
technical assistance.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responsible for ongoing relationship management and support of MFI Partners in
  assigned area:
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of MFI Partners’ business plans and
  requirements for support; Work with management to ensure that appropriate products and services are provided to MFI Partners and coordinate/manage delivery of these
  products and services;
• Support Investment Manager and Financial Analyst on securing
  information needed for financing needs;
• Ongoing communication with Partners regarding products and services
  provided by Grameen-Jameel to Partner;
• Visit each MFI Partner once per quarter (Responsibility for the 7 current
  partners in this area will be divided among the two Associates);
• Provide information as required for the completion of MFI Partnership
  reports;
• Identify potential new MFI Partners and coordinate with appropriate Grameen-
  Jameel staff to initiate discussions; follow-up as required;
• Follow-up on quarterly reporting and surveillance;
• Provide ideas and concepts to management for new products and services to better
  serve the assigned and potential MFI Partners;
• Keep current on microfinance services, the regulatory environment, best practices
  and trends for each country in the assigned area and provide periodic written
  reports/updates to management;
• Represent Grameen-Jameel at microfinance related events such as seminars,
  conferences, trainings and working exchanges in assigned area; maintain working
  relationships and collaborate with other microfinance support organizations in
  assigned area;
• Complete all administrative tasks as required on a timely basis;
• Communicates all activities and challenges to management on a regular basis;
• Other duties as assigned.

  Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English;
• Knowledge of microfinance industry and countries in assigned area is a plus;
• Ability to deliver quality services and achieve high client satisfaction ratings;
• 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;
• Willingness and ability up to travel up to 30% of the time to client locations in the
  Arab World;
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook;
• Commitment to eradication of poverty in the Arab World.

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, International Development or other relevant subject;
• Five or more years of work experience in financial services or consulting;
  microfinance experience strongly preferred;
• International work experience desired.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter with the following items:

1. An explanation of why you want to work for Grameen-Jameel; and
2. An explanation of how your skills and experience are a good match for this
   position. No phone calls, please.