Head of Edufinance (Banking, microfinance, education), Africa

Introduction

Reporting to the Africa Head of Risk (on a temporary basis pending appoint of a Chief Relationship Officer, Africa) the Head of EduFinance will be responsible for managing all aspects of the initiatives related to increasing the quality of education for the poor in the developing world and access to that education as a means of enabling holistic transformation in the lives of students.

Responsibilities

• Leading the scale-up through the global network of members of an innovative microfinance school loan program which, while focused on Africa, currently covers India and the Dominican Republic in addition.  Loans provided through this program will finance private schools of all sizes focused on the provision of a quality values-based education to those children living in poor communities.  The proprietors of these schools (“edupreneurs”) are typically unable to otherwise access funding for the development of their schools. 
• Leading the scale-up through our network of members of an educational loan product for the parents of students who may need to smooth the payments required to keep their children in school. 
• Managing and deploying the capital to be used by members to support these loan programs.  This capital will be deployed from a centrally managed fund to our members predominantly in the form of debt and equity.
• Supporting the efforts of fund-raisers globally to raise capital for this effort. 

The intent is that through the EduFinance initiative they will empower over 1 million poor families in developing countries to overcome the obstacle of getting a quality education for their children.  The firm is currently piloting this school loan product and sees it as an important element in alleviating poverty over the medium to long term.   The Head of EduFinance will work collaboratively as a member of the Network team to create strategy, set direction, design work processes and provide leadership for EduFinance.  The Head of EduFinance will lead the overall strategic direction of EduFinance through the Implementing Members, ensuring maximum outreach, sustainability and transformational impact.  This role will ensure that EduFinance reflects the company’s commitment to a regulated banking model, mission and core values and that the organization has the capacity, systems and personnel needed to achieve the EduFinance mission on a longer term basis. 
 

The Head of EduFinance will also be focused on the following:

• Working with the local Implementing Members to develop a business plan suitable for that country in terms of outreach deliverables, quality borrowers, capital needs, etc.
• Working with the local Implementing Members to develop in the eduprenuers the skills to evaluate their financial position and make judicious borrowing decisions.
• Developing within the staff of the Implementing Members the skills to evaluate appropriately the capabilities of the schools for lending on the basis of:  financial sustainability, debt service capacity, commitment to students, quality of teaching, and values being taught. 
• Assisting the Implementing Members to scale the loans extended to schools in a manner that will permit the establishment of a firm foundation to ensure long-term sustainability and transformation

Additional responsibilities will include:

• Short and long term planning, implementation and monitoring of the EduFinance program
• Provision of support, training and assistance to the Implementing Members in the design and execution of their business plans and product development
• Working with Support Members to ensure funding for the EduFinance program
• Ongoing evaluation of the transformational impact of the EduFinance program
• Creating/fostering within the team a culture of passionate commitment to customer service, teamwork and integrity through empowerment, continuous improvement/development, regular performance management reviews, feedback and goal setting
• Preparing and presenting the progress of the EduFinance initiative to its investors which will include Support Members as well as the Leadership Team.
• Provision of reports on the EduFinance program to the Head of Risk, Africa and as otherwise required.

Requirements

• Excellent leadership, management and business development skills, as well as a superior communicator
• Prior involvement or commitment to education and evidence of a passion to provide educational opportunities for children
• Undergraduate degree required; Masters degree preferred
• Minimum of 10-15 years experience in finance and business development with 5-10 years experience at the global level
• A sound grounding in credit analysis and commercial banking origination, loan structuring, and risk management skills as demonstrated through the candidate’s work experience
• A proven track of success in business development and marketing
• Excellent financial skills and the ability to develop financial products
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop and lead a diverse and geographically dispersed team of senior professionals
• Strong history of quickly building relationships, gaining credibility and partnering with business leaders and peers
• Ability to diplomatically work in a variety of cultural settings, with actual living and work experience in developing countries
• Good understanding of and commitment to the structure, mission, corporate values, and Christian motivation as expressed in the ability to incorporate the mission and values in the work area
• Has a passionate belief in the importance of Micro Enterprise Development and entrepreneurial development in general, as the most effective way to help the world’s poor transform their lives
• Flexibility and willingness to travel a minimum 50% of the time are critical

Send your CV to Danelle at CA Global (danelle@caglobalint.com), or visit our website (www.banking-recruitment-jobs.com) for further information.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted