WAM international

Location: Microfinance Opportunities, Washington D.C.
Reports to: Director of Consumer Research
Title: Research & Project Officer (Short-Term)

Summary:

Microfinance Opportunities seeks a candidate with microfinance field experience to manage and backstop field based market research activities related to financial literacy around branchless banking. The candidate will oversee and provide guidance to local research companies in developing countries, to ensure quality control of methods, processes and deliverables.

Microfinance Opportunities is a hub for the development of creative ideas and solutions related to poor people and their money. We increase poor people's access to high-quality financial services through action-research, training, and technical assistance. A non-profit established in 2002, Microfinance Opportunities has led the way in promoting a consumer perspective to financial inclusion and sound financial practices among the world's poor. Activities range from development and delivery of financial education, to market research for product development, and the measurement of the impact of microfinance innovations. Microfinance Opportunities specializes in qualitative research, using cutting edge methods such as financial diaries to assess microfinance programs.

The Research & Project Officer position requires experience in supervising and implementing research projects, with an emphasis on qualitative research methods. The successful candidates will have extensive experience with:

• fieldwork in developing countries, in-depth interviews, focus group moderation and literature reviews;
• project management in developing countries; r
• esearch and survey administration, data management, and qualitative data analysis; and
• report writing for stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Implementation of primary research

• Conducts desk research and literature reviews and supervises the implementation of primary research using individual interviews, focus group discussions, and quantitative techniques such as questionnaires.
• Develops research tools such as in-depth individual interview guides and focus group discussion guides.

Management of research projects and teams

• Hires, trains and supervises overseas research firms.
• Produces RFPs and scopes of work and assists in selection of research firms.
• Manages contracts, projects and budgets.
• Manages relationships with partners and consultants.
• Maintains consistent communications with research firms and project teams in the field to ensure that deliverables are completed in a timely manner.

Supervision of the integration of information and data

• Supervises data analysis and integration by consultant researchers.
• Assures that learnings from research draws conclusions that reflect research objectives and key questions, and are actionable, impactful and accessible to stakeholders.

Supervision of dissemination of research findings

• Oversees reporting of research projects through written reports and presentations.
• Edits research findings to express ideas in a compelling, informative and timely manner.
• Verifies that ideas, methodology, results and recommendations are expressed clearly in writing.
• Communicates clearly and regularly with partner organizations and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in international development, social sciences, public policy or related field At least three years of experience working in international development, including two years of work experience in developing countries
• At least three years of experience in managing and conducting field research
• Strong capabilities in qualitative research methods
• Familiarity with microfinance
• Experience in managing projects, research teams and consultants
• Microfinance field experience
• Proactive work style and ability to work independently and in a team
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to coordinate and collaborate well under pressure
• Willingness to travel overseas 20% of the time
• Flexibility and creativity in problem solving
• Positive attitude and intellectual curiosity
• Excellent writing and communications skills
• Experience with action research and or evidence-based project design

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of a foreign language, preferably Spanish
• Experience in Latin America and Africa

All interested applications must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. Position is full-time for six months starting immediately, with the possibility of long term employment. Salary is commensurate with experience. Position does not provide for relocation expenses.

How to Apply:

Send a resume and a letter of interest by mail, fax or email before. Please indicate "Research & Project Officer" on the subject line. Due to the high volume of applicants, we cannot respond to individual inquiries. No phone calls please.

Microfinance Opportunities
1701 K St. NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-721-0050
Fax: 202-721-0010
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.microfinanceopportunities.org