Issue Date: February 27, 2012

Submission Date: March 15, 2012

Summary

Women’s World Banking (WWB) is seeking proposals from qualified microfinance consultants to support the preparation of the 10^th Annual WWB Microfinance and the Capital Markets Conference to take place in October 2012.

About Women’s World Banking

WWB is an international microfinance support organization and network of 39 microfinance institutions in 27 countries. The mission of WWB is to expand the economic assets, participation and power of low-income women and their households by helping them access financial services, knowledge and markets.

About the Project

The 10^th Annual WWB “Microfinance and the Capital Markets Conference” will focus on current investment and social performance themes in the microfinance sector. This conference is part of WWB’s continuing efforts to build awareness of developments and investment opportunities in microfinance. WWB pioneered the concept of convening microfinance institutions, investors, rating agencies, bankers and industry players and providing them with a forum to network and discuss opportunities and challenges facing the industry with its first capital markets conference in 2001. 

WWB’s Capital Markets Conference brings together more than 300 participants from around the world, including one of the largest and most regionally diverse representations of MFI leaders of any microfinance event.  This year marks the conference’s 10^th anniversary, and WWB is seeking to organize a forward-looking conference that builds on WWB’s research and innovation work and focuses on trends and opportunities for serving women in the next decade.

Objectives & Responsibilities

The consultant will take the lead on development of the conference content, including research on emerging themes in the sector, development of the conference agenda, coordination of panels and special events, development of outreach and communications strategy and materials, management of relationships with key stakeholders, and coordination of conference evaluation.   Specific responsibilities include:

• Research
  • Research current topics of interest in microfinance and capital markets, and create list of forward-looking themes
• Content Development
  • Lead brainstorming sessions with members of the WWB team
  • Prepare outline of conference themes
  • Develop panel topics and structure conference agenda 
  • Develop list of potential keynote and panel speakers, including background information and relevant expertise, to be discussed with WWB team
  • Create presentation guidelines and discussion questions for speakers
• Outreach and Communications
  • Develop external communications including key messages and activities
  • Manage outreach to key stakeholders, including speakers
  • Coordinate with WWB’s Logistics team to develop participant lists 
  • Develop content for marketing materials, including invitations, and coordinate sponsorship materials with WWB’s Communications and Development teams
• Investor Forum
  • Coordinate on outreach to investors; support in development of participant lists
• Conference Evaluation
  • Refine conference evaluation tools
  • Create debrief document with conference accomplishments and learnings

Duration of Consultancy

The consultant will be procured for the period of March-October 2012 with an estimated 30 billable days, subject to negotiation with the consultant.

Location of Work

The consultant may either be based in New York or work remotely; however, consultant will be required to be in New York for days of conference.

Preferred Qualifications

• Superior professional and academic qualifications, with a strong knowledge of current trends in microfinance and capital markets and how these sectors interact
• 7-10 years of work experience in the microfinance sector
• Contacts with key players in microfinance industry
• Highly organized, analytical and detail-oriented
• Works well in a close team environment
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Experience with gender and other social performance areas a plus
• MBA or Masters in finance, economics or related field

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to:

• Provide all appropriate certifications and / or qualifications, including travel documents
• Manage expenses on a reimbursable basis
• Provide period of insurance or ability to acquire, including medical, security, and NYS workers compensation

To Apply

Please submit cover letter, resume, professional references, and fee requirements and structure to submit@swwb.org no later than 5:00pm EST, March 15, 2012.  In the subject line please write: “RFP: Senior Consultant for WWB Capital Markets Conference” and the WWB JOB#.

Applicants can submit their question(s) in writing to questions@swwb.org. Please include in the e-mail subject line “Questions: RFP: Senior Consultant for WWB Capital Markets Conference” and the WWB JOB#.  This RFP does not guarantee or commit WWB to proceeding with the above described work.

Women’s World Banking is an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.