IFMR’s Small Enterprise Finance Centre looking for new Executive Director
Friday May 29, 2009 , 5 min Read
Details can be found below, and was sent by IPEG email listserv:
THE CENTRE:
The microfinance revolution has provided micro-entrepreneurs access to finance to start their businesses. But what will allow them to become bigger and better businesses? While large private banks would like to lend to this market, they do not know how to service this segment. The Small Enterprise Finance Centre (SEFC) at the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in Chennai, India aims to fill this gap. The Centre works with top academics from MIT, Harvard, and London Business School, in addition to leading private banks, such as ICICI Bank, and many large microfinance institutions to create innovative ways to lend to small businesses. These ideas are tested through randomized evaluations and experimental designs. The ones which work will be scaled by partner banks to reach millions of entrepreneurs. Through rigorous testing of ideas the Centre will play a role in the development of small business financing in India.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
SEFC is looking to hire an Executive Director of the Centre. The Executive Director will be responsible for managing research projects, research associates, relationships with partner organizations, fundraising, and the Centre as a whole, including internal relations with IFMR. The key responsibilities in this role will be as follows:
1. Project Management: The research projects running through the Centre are primarily driven by researchers at MIT, Harvard, etc. The Executive Director maintains a close relationship with these researchers, providing the necessary resources and operational support. Specifically, the Executive Director manages and coordinates the logistics for projects, ensures the projects are run in accordance with IFMR policies, and maintains the project budgets.
2. Research Associate Management: SEFC Research Associates (RAs) are responsible for the implementation of our research projects. The Executive Director provides advices to the RAs at each stage of the research process, trains RAs, guides field operations, works with the RAs on the research budget for each project, facilitates communication flows with researchers and partner organizations, and evaluates the performance of RAs.
3. Partner Management: SEFC collaborates with multiple stakeholders (Banks, MFI partners, etc), each playing a critical role in the work of the Centre. The Executive Director oversees these relationships to ensure successful communication and collaboration with partner organizations. The Executive Director also liaises with potential partners to initiate project implementation.
4. Fundraising Management: The Executive Director manages funding opportunities and relationships. This includes searching for new opportunities, coordinating with researchers to ensure successful and timely proposal submissions, and reporting to existing funders.
5. Centre Management: The Executive Director creates the strategy for the day-to-day operations of the Centre to ensure it runs effectively and efficiently. This includes tracking budgets and cash flows, creating and implementing human resource policies, and building operational infrastructure.
6. IFMR Relationship Management: The Executive Director plays a key role in representing SEFC within the larger IFMR research community. This includes coordinating with the administration, other research Centres, and the IFMR Trust for events, initiatives, meetings, and joint fundraising. In addition, the Executive Director plans SEFC workshops, seminars, and conferences at IFMR.
THE SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:
This unique opportunity to shape the vision and direction of the Centre as it moves forward is competitive, and we are seeking candidates with strong project and personnel management skills.
Must Have-
® Graduate degree in Economics, Finance, Development, or related fields
® Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience as a manager
® Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships and partner organizations
® Demonstrated ability to self-manage and thrive in entrepreneurial work settings
® Ability to perform high quality research derive key issues
® Desire and capacity to work in a multi-function team in a dynamic, developing country context
® Strong skills in verbal and written communication, leading and motivating others, planning and execution, and team building
Preferable-
® Experience in nonprofit management, applied research, organizational development, finance or consulting
® Experience in developing country settings, and experience in India, ideally
The candidate must have a Master’s in Business or Public Administration with at least 2-3 years of experience managing an organization. Candidate should have demonstrated evidence of a very strong entrepreneurial mindset, excellent communication and organizational skills, and strong financial and administrative experience. Experience managing a research centre or new organization within an emerging market preferred. An understanding or experiences in development finance a plus.
The position is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu but may require some travel within India.
The Executive Director will be employed as a full time IFMR employee, and will be eligible for staff benefits. The monthly compensation will range from Rs.85,000 to Rs.125,000 (cost to company), and includes medical reimbursements, leave allowance and provident fund, and superannuation fund contributions.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
This position is open to both Indian as well as Foreign applicants. Foreign applicants will be considered only if they have previously lived and worked in a developing country.
Interested candidates can send in their CVs and motivation letters to[email protected]. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The last date which candidates may apply is June 15, 2009.