E-WAREHOUSE PROJECT MANAGER

Status:        Full‐Time Employee

Location:    Nairobi, Kenya

Date:           December 2013

Grameen Foundation USA is seeking a passionate and driven e‐Warehouse Project Manager to lead GF’s e‐Warehouse program in Kenya. Keys to success in this role will be experience in executing agricultural finance initiatives in East Africa, deep understanding of challenges facing small farmers, strong project management skills, ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously and operate in an entrepreneurial, start‐up atmosphere. The candidate will be highly organized, with excellent analytical and communication skills.

Job Summary:  The ‐Warehouse Project Manager will manage Grameen Foundation’s e‐Warehouse initiative in Kenya.  The e‐Warehouse program, implemented in collaboration with Farm Concern International (FCI) and with support from USAID and Rockefeller Foundation, is developing an integrated and mobile‐enabled system to help smallholder maize farmers. The system will help farmers properly store and manage their crops, link to a financial institution to attain partial advances against the value of their stored crop, and connect with markets for final sale when prices rebound. The program also enables farmers to access financial services and information on managing their crops via mobile phones. The Manager will have overall project management responsibilities for the e‐ Warehouse program in Kenya; will provide agricultural finance and product management/integration expertise to Grameen Foundation’s financial services and m‐Ag efforts globally; and will contribute to Grameen Foundation’s financial services and agricultural finance strategies globally.

Reporting and relationships:  The e‐Warehouse Project Manager will report to the Kenya Country Manager of Grameen Foundation, with dotted line reporting to and technical input from GF’s Program Director, MicroSavings Initiative.

Availability:  The ‐Warehouse Project Manager will be expected to work a standard workweek of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to complete the tasks assigned.

Essential Job Functions

The ‐Warehouse Project Manager will be responsible for managing a USAID and Rockefeller Foundation‐funded project piloting an innovative financing scheme (“e‐warehouse”) for smallholder farmers to increase access to appropriate financial services and markets, while leveraging mobile technology. Project Management roles include oversight of project budget, overall project timeline and activities, managing relationships and coordinating activities with implementing partners and internal groups within GF, and ensuring project deliverables are being met. The e‐Warehouse Project Manager will also coordinate with GF’s Financial Services and m‐Ag teams to apply GF approach and process toproduct development and prototyping, and sharing project status and lessons learned throughout project implementation.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
• Strong hands‐on experience in developing financial products with specific knowledge in agricultural finance; background in mobile financial  services a plus
• Experience working in East Africa
• Excellent writing, research and communication skills; ability to gather, synthesize and present information in a professional, compelling and practical manner with senior management, staff and external partners
• Ability to work well with others and collaboratively across the organization
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast‐paced, energetic, highly creative and entrepreneurial environment
• Highly motivated, self‐directed and strong attention to detail;
• Excellent organizational, project management and time management skills

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, finance, business or IT; graduate degree preferred
• Certified Project Manager with over 5 years’ experience in managing complex projects
• 6+ years financial services execution expertise around agricultural/rural finance; strong preference for candidates with formal banking experience
• Deep understanding of financial challenges facing poor, smallholder farmers and corresponding financial needs
• Financial product management and launch expertise, including experience integrating products into a financial institution’s processes and systems from a technology standpoint.
• Familiarity with mobile money /mobile financial services preferred

Interested candidates please email econnor@grameenfoundation.org, subject line e-Warehouse Project Manager.