Senior Program Officer

Grameen Foundation USA (GFUSA) is a global non-profit organization that combines microfinance, new technologies, and innovation to empower the world's poorest people to escape poverty. Founded in 1997, GFUSA's global network includes 52 partners in 22 countries. The network has impacted an estimated 7 million lives in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East.

Background:

The Grameen Foundation USA ('GFUSA') Growth Guarantees is an anticipated US$50 million program, of which the first US$31 million round was closed in late 2005. The program places US dollar guarantees in support of leveraged local currency financing to grow leading poverty-focused microfinance institutions (MFIs) globally. The Growth Guarantees Senior Program Officer will be responsible for supporting all aspects of the Growth Guarantees transaction process, including marketing, due diligence, execution, and monitoring. In addition to key transactional responsibilities, the Growth Guarantees Senior Program Officer will participate in Growth Guarantees strategy and planning, and will be a key player in the closing of the second round of Growth Guarantees financing in 2007. 

The GFUSA Growth Guarantees Program is the flag ship product of GFUSA's Capital Markets Group, which seeks to make the capital markets work for poor families by facilitating linkages between leading, poverty-focused MFIs and the capital markets, especially the domestic capital markets.

Job Responsibilities:

• Participate in Growth Guarantees strategy and planning;    
• Lead in-country road shows and marketing efforts; manage preparation of marketing materials for both banks and MFIs;    
• Coordinate externally with other agencies/networks involved in guarantees and capital markets in microfinance;    
• Conduct due diligence of participating MFIs and/or manages due diligence process;    
• Approval Process: As a lead deal team member, will hold primary responsibility for preparation/oversight of complete transaction approval materials including:  
  • Thorough financial analysis and operational review of MFI;  
  • Analyzing and stress testing financial model for MFI;  
  • MFI capital structure analysis; 
  • Identification of key risks and mitigants; 
  • Country risk analysis.
• Lead structuring and negotiation of Growth Guarantees transactions with both banks, MFIs, and other capital markets players;    
• Participate in fundraising and legal/financial structuring of future rounds of financing;    
• Provide advisory services to MFIs on an as-needed basis on funding strategy, capital structure, and other financial management topics in relation to the overall CMG service offerings.

Job Qualifications: 

• Extensive finance experience, preferably at the Associate level, with an emphasis on debt capital markets and/or corporate or structured finance;    
• Banking or finance experience in the emerging markets a plus;    
• Experience in the microfinance sector essential;    
• Strong communication skills; ability to effectively communicate, through speaking and writing, to internal and external audiences;    
• Ability to act as a representative of GFUSA to the public;    
• Master's degree in Business, Economics, International Development or related field; MBA preferred;    
• Five to seven years work experience in related fields of which at least three years in financial sector, at Associate level, with an emphasis on debt finance/debt structuring and with at least two years of microfinance experience;    
• Language capabilities and/or experience living in other countries a plus.

To Apply:

Please send your applications to Camilla Nestor via email.