ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Founded in 1964, International Executive Service Corps (IESC) is a Washington, DC based not-for-profit organization that focuses on private sector growth. It supports and catalyzes the development of private enterprises, business support organizations, financial institutions, and public institutions around the world. Its mission is to focus on improving the lives of people throughout the world by strengthening private enterprise.
Background: The Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program is designed to enhance agricultural competitiveness in the MENA region and to ensure reliable and consistent national food supplies. To help improve agricultural competitiveness in the MENA region, the F2F program seeks to increase access to rural finance by enhancing access to finance for infrastructure upgrades essential to improve quality assurance. It also aims to support financial institutions to better serve farm enterprises that seek to implement quality assurance protocols.
ABOUT THE JOB:
IESC is seeking a Financial Services Market Research Expert. S/he will be responsible for conducting market research activities that will inform the formulation of tailored lending programs for livestock producers in Egypt.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Attend assignment briefing meetings at the F2F program office on October 6;
- Meet with representatives for Alexandria Businessmen Association (ABA) and First Micro Finance Foundation (FMFF);
- Visit livestock producers in Alexandria, Behira, and Aswan and other value chain actors;
- Create an individual questionnaire and data collection worksheet, covering the needs and current situation of the livestock producers, and other participants in the value chain;
- Train ABA and FMFF staff on how to tabulate the data;
- Test the questionnaires out with additional livestock producers;
- Present and discuss research findings with representatives for ABA and FMFF;
- Attend a debriefing session with F2F country director and staff members to report feedback and discuss the suggested follow-up plans on the recommendations, as well as capture impact;
- Submit a final report summarizing observations, findings, and recommendations.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 15 years of experience in microfinance with an emphasis in agricultural lending;
- Regional experience in MENA highly desired;
- Experience with graphic design and/or creating PowerPoint presentations is desirable;
- Background in livestock activities especially dairy farming is a plus;
- U.S. Citizen or U.S. permanent resident (as required by the F2F program);
- Writing skills: reporting requires good computer skills including, but not limited to, working and generating reports with MS Word;
- Ability to achieve desired results in accordance with the work plan and submitting requisite reports, written and spoken fluency in English is required. Ability to work through translators in the field, however, is essential;
- Arabic and/or French language skills a plus, but not required.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates can send their resume and cover letter to volunteer@iesc.org
