Women’s Business Center Manager, Mercy Corps Northwest

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Northwest (MCNW) is the assumed business name for the 501(C) 3 non-profit, Mercy Enterprise Corporation. The organization was established in 1998 as a program of Mercy Corps, the Portland-based international relief and development agency. MCNW is Community Development Financial Institution that assists all low-income populations, including minorities, women, refugees and immigrants and prisoners, previously incarcerated in Oregon and Washington states, by increasing their economic self-sufficiency and community integration through self-employment.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports women’s economic development regionally and delivers and supports all small business development services to women including asset development services (individual development accounts or IDA’s) loans, training and counseling and the prison programming of Mercy Corps Northwest. This position will contribute to the strategy, systems development, relationship development, administration and organizational development of the MCNW team with SBA and other funders and the community. It supports other programs of MCNW including contractor teaming work, distance learning and lending support and assures that all programs for women synchronize with MCNW with all other populations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Build a program linking women-owned businesses and prospective businesses with support services to women clients and expand those services with new support services and expanded networks to assist clients to business independence.
• Support the Oregon and Washington Lending Managers with extension of training resources regionally.
• Develop resources for a Women’s Business Center as a training arm of MCNW both physically and virtually.
• Teach, coach and mentor women clients.
• Manage the collection of program performance, trends and data of all MCNW programs.
• Organize and monitor the success and economic outcomes of women clients of the center.
• Support MCNW’s prison programming to women, including preparation of teaching materials.
• Coordinate the accuracy of data collection of all client groups including training, IDA, loan, farm, reentry and renter clients with MCNW staff.
• Help put together women-oriented and lead business classes and educational opportunities.
• Strengthen the quantity and quality of women mentors available to MCNW clients.
• Develop and support MCNW initiatives in asset development including renters and a community-led REIT.
• Travel throughout Oregon and Washington.
• Other duties as assigned for the success, evolution and growth of the organization.

Organizational Learning:

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Assistant Manager of Women’s Business Center

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Assistant Director of MCNW

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: All MCNW staff and partners

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in business, finance, banking, community development, economics and/or other relevant field or entrepreneurial experience required. MBA preferred.
• Media and writing experience.
• Experience in small business and/or small business support required.
• Experience teaching and training in a classroom setting required.
• Small business experience with general office management is a plus.
• Language skills in Spanish, Russian or other common immigrant language a plus.
• Experience in business, banking or working with formerly incarcerated individuals a plus.
• Experience working with spreadsheet, databases and developing online systems.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to function independently and to coordinate multiple projects both independently and in collaboration with other MCNW programs, staff and partner organizations. S/he will have a willingness to work in the community with clients and borrowers outside the office, and in correctional facilities and have effective verbal and written communication skills as well as computer skills. A demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, work independently and cooperatively with team members are required as is an ability and willingness to work collaboratively with low-income and multicultural populations, particularly with women, ex-offenders, refugees and immigrants on issues relating to business success and community integration.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is based in Portland, Oregon.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=217806&company_id=15927&jobboardid=479