Senior SME Expert (Consultant) - Asia

Accion is looking for a senior SME expert to work with Accion’s partners in Asia.  The consultant will be part of a team of local and international experts and build the capacity of Accion’s partners in the area of SME lending and directly provide high-quality advisory services to Accion’s partner institutions and, in the case of Bridge, to Bridge’s partner banks.  The position is expected to require a level of effort of approximately 50-60 person days per annum over the next three years, possibly more if the consultant works with several Accion partners in Asia.

 Responsibilities:

The following responsibilities primarily relate to the work with Bridge Philippines.  Assignments with other Accion partners in Asia would be of a similar nature:

• Support the due diligence of potential partner banks
• Provide technical inputs, tools and leadership to projects which will enable partner banks to:
  • Segment the SME customer base
  • Revise and strengthen SME products and processes / develop new SME loan products according to customer needs and pilot testing these products
  • Strengthen underwriting, including use of cash-flow based, credit scoring methodologies and the introduction of scorecards
  • Support the development of risk management methodologies
  • Implement technology solutions to support lending (loan origination, credit scoring, etc.)
  • Strengthen SME sales mechanisms and sales force management
  • Develop new distribution approaches and channels as well as cross-selling opportunities
  • Strengthening SME lending operations and loan processing
  • Strengthen SME collections segmentation, processes and procedures
  • Develop and streamline policies and procedures manuals for SME products
  • Strengthen the capacity of Bridge and its partner banks in SME lending by providing content, training and coaching/mentoring
  • Support the development and delivery of training programs for SME staff
  • Contribute to the dissemination of best practices in SME lending among Bridge and Accion partners

Desired Skills & Experience

• At least ten to fifteen years of direct experience in small and medium enterprise lending; either within a bank or as a consultant
• Deep understanding of international best practices in SME lending in emerging/developing economies, including individual lending methodologies in microfinance. Experience in other areas of lending is an advantage
• Previous experience with smaller banks in rural settings is useful but not a requirement
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
• Comfortable in a fluid environment, guided by social objectives, self-directed, flexible and creative
• Fluency in English is required

Company Description

Accion is a global nonprofit dedicated to building a financially inclusive world, with access to economic opportunity for all, by giving people the financial tools they need to improve their lives.  A world pioneer in microfinance, Accion has helped build 63 microfinance institutions in 31 countries reaching millions of clients on four continents. Please see www.accion.orgfor more information on Accion.

The consultant will work with several partners of Accion in Asia, initially focused on Bridge Philippines.  Bridge is a network of innovative, dynamic, mission driven banks, mostly located in rural Philippines.  Bridge will provide Capital, Capability Building and Central Services to help partner banks grow in a socially and environmentally sensitive manner.  Bridge was founded in 2013 and its operations are in Manila. Please see www.bridge.sg  for more information on Bridge.  In future, the consultant is expected to also work with Accion’s partners in China and India.