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INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - SPBD SAMOA


INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - SPBD SAMOA
Job Description: Summer Intern (6-10 weeks)
Function: Operations and New Product Development Marketing
Location: Apia, Samoa
Internship Overview:
The Intern will assist the General Manager (GM) of SPBD Samoa, Ajay Verma, and a fellow intern to create a Credit Manual, Operating Process Manual, Training Manual and Marketing Documents for the following new products: Seasonal Migrant Worker Loans, SME Loans, Enhanced Life Insurance, and Mobile Banking that are planned to be launched in 2013.In addition all existing field and operations manuals will be updated. This internship will involve significant operational insight and writing skills. It will provide a unique insider experience into how SPBD operates and the microfinance industry.  
About the Organization:
South Pacific Business Development (SPBD)is a network of microfinance institutions working in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Solomon Islands. We are dedicated to eradicating poverty by empowering women in poor rural villages with the opportunity to start, grow and maintain sustainable, income-generating micro-enterprises, build assets, as well as finance home improvements and childhood education. SPBD provides clients with a range of training, financial services and ongoing motivation so that they can climb out of poverty.
SPBD Microfinance Holdings (Singapore) Pte Ltd is the network-wide holding company that serves as a regional microfinance platform in the Pacific. It fully owns SPBD Samoa, SPBD Tonga, SPBD Fiji, and SPBD Solomon Islands and will launch Greenfield microfinance operations in other Pacific Island countries in the next 2-3 years, such as Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands, and Bougainville. A current focus is in the Southeast Asia region (Indonesia, Myanmar, and Philippines). The creation of a region-wide microfinance network in the broader South-Pacific could help over 60,000 poor Pacific islanders find a meaningful path out of poverty and could directly impact another 300,000 immediate family members in the region.
Responsibilities:
The Intern will:
·          Spend significant time fully understanding the operations, processes and current products of SPBD by performing field visits to meet clients, interviews with staff, and detailed reviews of current operating manuals.
·          Provide updates to the GM through field reports over email and when possible in person.
·          Finalizing the following documents:
o   Current Field and Operations Process manuals
o   Credit manuals, Operating Process manuals, Training manuals and Marketing documents for new products:
§  Seasonal Migrant Worker Loans
§  SME Loans
§  Enhanced Life Insurance
§  Mobile Banking
·          Perform any other projects required
Qualifications:
• MBA/MA in Finance, International Development - student or graduate
• Coursework or professional experience in credit, microfinance, finance, banking, or consulting.
• Excellent communication (writing and speaking) skills in English. Must be able to express thoughts and opinions clearly and concisely
• Needs to be process oriented
• Proven ability to work independently
• Experience working in developing country environments
• Commitment to SPBD values
The intern will report to Ajay Verma, the General Manager of SPBD Samoa and may work closely with other staff on a project by project basis. The intern will be responsible for participating in a weekly meeting with her/his supervisor in person or by phone. More frequent interaction will be encouraged.
The work will be done remotely on the islands of Samoa.   
This is an unpaid internship position and requires a 6 to 10-week commitment (Possibility to stay longer). The internship will begin in May/June (start date is flexible). We will not be able to offer compensation for the summer.
Please send a résumé to: James Vanreusel, CFO, SPBD Microfinance Network at:james@spbdmicrofinance.com. Please write “SPBD Samoa internship candidate” in the subject line of your e-mail. Phone calls are discouraged. Only candidates that are considered will be contacted. For more information, please visit: www.spbdmicrofinance.com