SMarT (Social Media Team) Leader OikoCredit

Oikocredit is one of the world's largest sources of private funding to the microfinance sector. They finance locally-based MFIs, provide credit to trade cooperatives, fair trade organizations and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the developing world.

They have nearly $700 million in outstanding loans. $30 million of this comes from US investors. With these funds, their project partners dispense loans to the poor and disadvantaged, with a special emphasis on rural areas and women. Oikocredit is also at the forefront of social performance management, integrating environmental, social and governance factors into investment decisions. Oikocredit's Washington, DC office is charged with attracting new investors, engaging with existing investors, and educating the public about global poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. The DC office does not disburse loans.

About the Job:
Oikocredit USA seeks a dynamic and self-driven leader to serve as the SMarT Leader to launch CHiRP Force (Citizens Helping in Reducing Poverty), a nation-wide social media campaign to engage young adults in microfinance and economic development advocacy. CHiRP Force is a network of 10 university students broadcasting regionally via social media news about Oikocredit USA, microfinance, international development, and socially responsible investing.

The SMaRT Leader, based in Washington, DC, will coordinate this campaign and the activities of these ten individuals. In this leadership role, the SMarT leader will gain valuable exposure to the world of socially responsible investing in microfinance. This is an unpaid position that would require about 20-25 hours/week. Compensation for travel and university credit can be arranged. The position has a preferred 6 month commitment.


Tasks and Responsibilities:
•Training and communicating social media strategy to Oikocredit USA’s CHIRP student volunteers;
•Assigning and tracking social media tasks to regional volunteer groups as well as individual CHIRP volunteers via HootSuite;
•Ensuring that Oikocredit USA stays true to its social media strategy of diffusing information/media to social media users in order to generate support and interest in Oikocredit’s work in microfinance and development finance (thus planting the seeds for future investors and broadening our reach to untapped investor pools);
•Social media team leader will report to the business development coordinator at Oikocredit USA regarding the CHIRP volunteer force and will be responsible for analysis of their efforts.;
•Manage and administer Wikisite for CHIRP Force.


Qualifications:
•General computer literacy; proficiency in Microsoft Office, WordPress blog site, Skype video chat;
•Specialty in social media tools and analytics, including Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite, CoTweet, Flickr, Klout, and TweetStats;
•Some familiarity with conference calls and meeting software (WebEx, GoToMeeting);
•Demonstrated management, communication, and delegation abilities;
•Experience with non-profits, event-planning, or public relations;
•Experience working with a remote team a plus;
•General understanding of microfinance sector and MIVs (Microfinance Investment Vehicles) is desired;
•Excellent writing skills and experience with blogging/persuasive writing.

Closing Date: 30 Mar 2012


How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume and brief writing sample (1-2 pages) either from a personal blog or a persuasive piece on one (1) of the following topics:

•Microfinance and development;
•Fair trade;
•Women’s Empowerment;
•Cooperative Groups.

Please send complete application to:
Oikocredit USA

Email: lgage@oikocredit.org

Mention "SMarT Leader" in the subject line