INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - SPBD SOLOMON ISLANDS

INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - SPBD SOLOMON ISLANDS

Job Description: Summer Intern (6-10 weeks)

Function: Due Diligence for market expansion inside the Solomon Islands

Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands

Internship Overview:

The Intern will assist the General Manager (GM) of SPBD Solomon Islands (SPBD SI), Sandeep Lohani, to identify new islands and villages to expand SPBD services into. Special focus will be given to Malaita and the Western Province. SPBD Solomon Islands disbursed its first loans in January 2013 and is looking to expand rapidly. This internship will involve significant travel inside Solomon Islands and independent work. It will provide a unique insider experience into 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 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. We provide clients with a range of training, financial services and ongoing motivation so that they can climb permanently 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:

·          Perform due diligence into new islands and villages in the Solomon Islands to identify new geographical locations SPBD can enter into. Special focus will be given to Malaita and the Western Province.

·          Provide updates to the GM through field reports over email and when possible in person. A final  report will be submitted.

·          Conduct the following assessments for each new location (that is geographically far enough away and different from Honiara):

o   Needs assessment of the people in the new markets

o   Competitive assessment of the environment

o   Influential community leaders and contacts

o   Marketing channels, branding, advertising

o   Identification of Micro-cultures

o   Geography and Logistics – population densities, process to roll-out SPBD services from one location to another, etc.

Qualifications:

• MBA/MA in Finance, International Development - student or graduate

• Coursework or professional experience in microfinance, finance, banking, or consulting.

• Substantial research experience

• Excellent communication (writing and speaking) skills in English. Must be able to express thoughts and opinions clearly and concisely.

• Proven ability to work independently

• Experience working in developing country environments

• Ability to speak Pigin a plus, but not necessary

• Commitment to SPBD values

The intern will report to Sandeep Lohani, the General Manager of SPBD Solomon Islands 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 in the Solomon Islands.   

This is an unpaid internship position and requires a 6 to 10-week commitment (Possibility to stay longer). The internship will begin on or around May 15 - the start date has some flexibility. 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 “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.