Project Manager - Product Innovation

Grameen Foundation India (GFI) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Grameen Foundation USA and has been set up with the primary purpose of using microfinance and technology solutions to €œenable the poor, especially the poorest, to create a world without poverty. GFI provides several products and services in areas of technology, human resources management, social performance management, and developing sustainable business models to social enterprises in India.

About the Job: 
GFI is seeking a Project Manager (PM) for the Product Innovation. S/he will direct all activities related to managing the development of financial products in India. S/he will work directly with the Grameen Foundation global and country-level teams to drive product development and scaling efforts.

Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Project management:
  • Develop detailed project plan with associated milestones and work with internal and external personnel to ensure goals are met;
  • Hire and manage any additional resources needed support the project;
  • Create and manage budget and ensure all spend is within +/-10% variance per quarter.
• Product research and development:
  • Use human-centered design process to develop a plan and targeted outputs that will lead to the financial products designed specifically for the poor;
  • Manage the innovation process, including identifying key research questions, deploying innovative research techniques, and leveraging resulting insights to drive new products;
  • Identify high-potential products that could be tested, and monitor testing through pilot phases.
• Client relationship management:
  • Manage the overall relationship with the client and ensure regular communication and alignment on objectives and plan with the client;
  • Prepare reporting documentation and lead regular stakeholder discussions with client, including but not limited to monthly updates and quarterly reports, and steering committee meetings and product advisory committee (PAC) meetings;
  • Ensure client is involved throughout the process to create shared ownership of deliverables and to enable the team to be versed on the R&D approach.
• Cross-team collaboration:
  • Support team in overall strategy development and long-term vision for the project;
  • Work closely with teams to ensure alignment with broader programs, including resource sharing;
  • Facilitate local partnership development for the project work in general.
• Build long-term program
  • Based on the success of the project, build a long term plan for providing product development services to financial service providers in India;
  • Share learnings and insights from the project and generate interest in the human centered design approach to product development.

Qualifications: 

• At least Bachelor’s degree. Post-graduate preferred. Master’s degree, such as MBA or MPA, preferred;
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience;
• Experience working in developing countries;
• Outstanding project management skills with proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations (ideally in multiple countries);
• Ability to act as a representative of the project more broadly in public forums.

Closing Date: 11 Oct 2013

How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume and cover letter to hr@grameenfoundation.in

Please mention “PM – Product Innovation” in the subject line.