SEEP Member News

SEEP members are regularly contributing new ideas and developing new opportunities in the world of microenterprise development and microfinance. Check here for updates on their work.

China Association of Microfinance Seeking Trainer for Risk Control Program

The China Association of Microfinance (CAM) will launch a training program focused on risk control in the summer of 2013. This training mainly presents a framework for risk management systems and guidelines for implementing the core principles of effective risk management for microfinance sector. CAM is now accepting applications from qualified professionals to lead the training. For more information, please see the Terms of Reference.

GRAMEEN FOUNDATION MICROSAVINGS CASE STUDIES 

ACCION: Global Appeal for Responsible Microfinance

Opportunity International Board Member Kadita Tshibaka posted recently an article on the Huffington Post highlighting the importance for MFIs to adopt a client-centered approach and client protection measures. He says “Microfinance must first and foremost be about making a difference in the lives of the impoverished and marginalized.” 
Read more >>

PMN to launch Microfinance Review

Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) has launched the "Pakistan Microfinance Review 2011" for the microfinance industry. The year 2011 was declared as a watershed period for the microfinance sector in Pakistan as the industry achieved sustainability despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, rains and floods in Sindh, security situation and persistent energy crises in the country. The sector is proving successful in making the transition to commercial finance and witnessed the launch of first money market financing instrument with a number of new products & services for credit as well as remittances. Read more >>

Opportunity International Welcomes New CEO: Vicky Escarra

Vicki Escarra has joined Opportunity International as Chief Executive Officer. Named to The NonProfit Times’ Power and Influence Top 50 for three years in a row, Ms. Escarra is a highly respected leader with a distinguished career as an executive in the nonprofit and corporate sectors.  From 2006-2012, she was president and CEO of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. Prior to joining Feeding America, Ms. Escarra ascended through several leadership positions at Delta Airlines, Inc., and ultimately became the company’s chief marketing officer.  She currently serves on the board of HealthNet Corporation and the board of regents for Roosevelt University. She was also chairman of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and assisted Mayor Shirley Franklin with the Brand Atlanta Campaign. 

 
REDCAMIF Launches New Micropension Program

REDCAMIF is launching the first micropension program of its kind in the world! It is beginning a pilot phase with six MFIs across Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras. This micropension program stands to benefit MFIs by bringing in new clients, as well as providing a new product for them to offer. Learn more

ACCION: The Practice of Corporate Governance in Microfinance Institutions –
translation available soon in French and Spanish

This Consensus Statement of the Council of Microfinance Equity Funds (CMEF) on corporate governance for MFIs provides practical guidance for stakeholders in governance. It provides an update to the Governance Guidelines published by CMEF in 2005. The Council has updated this reference document to reflect new thinking and resources that have emerged in the microfinance industry around governance since the original version was published. Read the Statement.

Petition for the Independence of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh 

The Microcredit Summit Campaign is sponsoring a petition to tell Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh that the continued actions of her government against the independence of Grameen Bank are not acceptable. The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has now appointed a commission to look into the operations of Grameen Bank and make recommendations as to its future leadership. This commission is widely seen as a way for the government to take control of the Grameen Bank from its women borrower-owners. Learn more about this and endorse the petition on Change.org

Save the Children is urgently seeking three consultants for our LIFT project

The Livelihoods and Food Security Technical Assistance (LIFT) project was initiated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) to provide technical assistance and strategic support to US government agencies, their implementing partners, and other public, private and civil society partners to improve the food and livelihood security of vulnerable households, with a particular focus on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caregivers.  In addition, LIFT aims to provide global leadership and strategic learning to the field of economic strengthening through development of guidelines, trainings, and other tools to help vulnerable households – and those who serve them – engage in activities that enhance their economic and nutritional security.

Please submit applications by e-mail to elauer@savechildren.org. Please include your resume, and your daily rate.

These consultancies are all due to begin as soon as possible.

Consultant 1: Economic Strengthening

A toolkit is being developed which will help the OVC implementers understand their capacity to effectively implement Economic Strengthening (ES) activities, enable them to choose which ES activities they are best suited to implement, and provide guidance in how to design and implement the selected ES activities. The goal of this consultancy is to develop enterprise development activity guidance sheets that will be incorporated into the toolkit. The guidance sheet will include information on

• Key considerations when designing and implementing cash and asset transfer
• Monitoring enterprise development implementation and evaluating household level outcomes,
• Cost/resource considerations and conditions necessary for cash and asset transfer
• Key lessons learned from previous implementations

The consultancy shall cover 20 days level of effort,

Requirements:

•  Experience in cash and asset transfers to vulnerable populations
• Experience in HIV/AIDS context
• Knowledge of economic strengthening practices
• Knowledge of OVC programming techniques

Consultant 2: Savings and Loans

A toolkit is being developed which will help the OVC implementers understand their capacity to effectively implement ES activities, enable them to choose which ES activities they are best suited to implement, and provide guidance in how to design and implement the selected ES activities. The goal of this consultancy is to develop enterprise development activity guidance sheets that will be incorporated into the toolkit. The guidance sheet will include information on

• Key considerations when designing and implementing village savings and loans
• Monitoring enterprise development implementation and evaluating household level outcomes,
• Cost/resource considerations and conditions necessary for village savings and loans interventions
• Key lessons learned from previous implementations

The consultancy shall cover 20 days level of effort.

Requirements:

• Experience in village savings and loans with vulnerable populations
• Experience in HIV/AIDS context
• Knowledge of economic strengthening practices
• Knowledge of OVC programming techniques

Consultant 3: - Enterprise Development

A toolkit is being developed which will help the OVC implementers understand their capacity to effectively implement ES activities, enable them to choose which ES activities they are best suited to implement, and provide guidance in how to design and implement the selected ES activities. The goal of this consultancy is to develop enterprise development activity guidance sheets that will be incorporated into the toolkit. The guidance sheet will include information on

• Key considerations when designing and implementing enterprise development
• Monitoring enterprise development implementation and evaluating household level outcomes,
• Cost/resource considerations and conditions necessary for enterprise development interventions
• Key lessons learned from previous implementations

The consultancy shall cover 20 days level of effort, beginning on November 19th and ending on January 25th or earlier.

Requirements:

• Experience in enterprise development with vulnerable populations
• Experience in HIV/AIDS context
• Knowledge of economic strengthening practices
• Knowledge of OVC programming techniques

Organization Description

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In 2010, we improved the lives of over 64 million children in need in the United States and around the world. Our goal is to reach more than 74 million children annually by the year 2012.  Join our dedicated and diverse staff committed to improving the well-being of children.

Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more.

Save the Children provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Microfinance Exclusive Credit Bureau to Cut Risks in Pakistan
June 21, 2012: The Pakistan Microfinance Network, in collaboration with the central bank and other donors, has inaugurated the first nation-wide microfinance specific credit bureau in Pakistan. The bureau will help strengthen the infrastructure of the microfinance industry in Pakistan. Read more >