Women's World banking is seeking a Senior Associate for Formalization to join its team. Women's World Banking ("WWB") is a microfinance network of over 53 financial institutions serving 23 million clients in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. WWB provides technical assistance and access to capacity building, innovations, and capital - all focused on helping WWB's MFI partners grow and propel their mission of serving low income entrepreneurs globally and with a particular focus on poor women.

WWB defines formalization as the entrance of a microfinance non-for-profit institution (NGOs) into the formal financial sector through the conversion of its operations into a for-profit regulated financial entity. Approximately one third of WWB Network Members are already formalized, and an additional third of the current Network intends to formalize within the next three years. As such, there is a strong pipeline of formalization activity, and a clear opportunity for WWB to add value by supporting Network Members through this complex but rewarding process. The ultimate goal is to help the microfinance institutions that choose to formalize to maintain their mission of serving low-income clients, especially women, and preserve their local autonomy while providing a range of savings and credit products.

The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Supporting NMs in reaching an informed decision about whether or not to transform. This includes:
• Building an understanding of the legal, regulatory,operational and performance requirements for becoming a for-profit regulated MFI;
• Determining if the institution has, or can develop, the capacity to meet the above requirements.
• Supporting NMs in the planning and implementation of the transformation process. This includes:
• Research and analysis of regulatory requirements
• Co-development of Formalization Action Plans
• Facilitation of business plan preparation
• Support for investor identification and recruitment
• Working with the Formalization Manager to capture innovation and learning from work with Network Members for dissemination to the broader microfinance sector.
• Embodying WWB values as an individual, and enact them in interactions with Network Members and other WWB staff members.

Critical Knowledge and Capabilities

Formalization Skills and Knowledge

• Management experience in a retail bank or a regulated microfinance institution.
• Deep understanding of operational, legal, governance and financial issues MFIs encounter as they transform into regulated for-profit entities.
• Experience in leading/managing strategic planning processes.
• Experience in business plan development and financial analysis.

Microfinance Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of major microfinance lending methodologies and the challenges facing retail MFIs
• Awareness of major trends in microfinance, key debates, and current issues in the field.

Consulting skills

• Capacity to run project teams and to manage others, including external consultants, in the product delivery process
• Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills.
• Self-initiative and resourcefulness in developing strategies, setting and achieving goals in a timely manner.
• Excellent written and oral skills including the ability to convince audience of recommendation and make presentations in public arenas.
• Capacity to work effectively in teams and in diverse settings, ranging from non-profits to banks, and interacting with field staff as well as senior management.
• Capability to turn own knowledge into products and processes that others can replicate with guidance.
• Capacity to work cross-departmentally (e.g. with Relationship Managers) and coordinate with others to communicate key findings and implications of analysis.

Education / Experience

The successful candidate will have college degree (relevant field) or equivalent experience; may have an advanced degree (relevant field) or equivalent experience. 3 - 5 years of related experience. Language Skills - Fluency in English and Spanish required, French is a plus. All candidates that are interested please submit cover letter and resume including salary requirements to hr@swwb.org or 8 West 40th Street 10th Floor NYC 10018 attention HR Manager. WWB offers competitive benefits and salary.