FAST Regional Manager, West Africa Region, VisionFund International

VisionFund's work seeks to end intergenerational poverty through financial products and services. We're about the long-term change that ensures children can break free of the poverty cycle, for good.

By supporting people and communities living in poverty to develop and grow their livelihoods, VisionFund is catalysing sustainable economic growth to break the cycle of poverty, so that children can reach their potential as communities thrive.

Learn more about us: visionfund.org

Overview

VisionFund is World Vision’s microfinance provider serving vulnerable clients through loans, savings, and insurance. We enable families to grow their livelihoods in hard to reach, rural locations in 28 countries so that caregivers can create secure futures for their children. We believe in brighter futures for children; empowering families to create incomes and jobs; unlocking economic potential for communities to thrive. Join VisionFund as we seek to end intergenerational poverty through microfinance.

FAST (Finance Accelerating Savings group Transformation) is VisionFund’s program to offer financial services to saving groups. The flagship product, the FAST loan, follows a methodology, specifically designed to the target saving groups/VSLAs. This position’s purpose is to support and guide VisionFund MFIs during the pilot and roll out of this product, focussing on West African countries. We have already developed standards regarding product process, training materials and various guidance materials. FAST is a core pillar of VisionFund´s 2030 Our Promise Strategy to reach 10 million clients. FAST is a global business line and responsible to reach 2 million clients by 2030 working with and beyond the VisionFund network, leveraging on existing and upcoming technologies for saving groups.

The FAST Manager will use and translate the existing materials, as well as develop new materials to support MFIs (microfinance institutions) to increase their reach of savings groups. Each local VisionFund MFI has a local FAST product manager who has a dotted line into the FAST Regional Manager. The FAST RM is responsible for the quality, capacity and implementation of the regional FAST program

Key Responsibilities

• Support MFIs in the implementation of FAST i,e. in Senegal, Ghana, Mali and Rwanda) in capacity buidling; product pilot development and roll out support; Monitoring of implementation; and multi-year planning.
• Lead the performance management of local FAST managers
• Support FAST Business development manager when needed in West African countries 
• Lead coordination with World Vision and other NGO in sensitisation of WV and other stakeholder of FAST; Increase of the pipeline of savings groups to be linked; and increase in the number of partners VF works with
• Lead coordination with FAST business development manager on linking partnerships to other non-VF countries
• Provide advice on how training material can be improved.
• Translation of existing training material into French and the development of new training material into French.
• Support with external engagement such as speaking at events, webinars, and conferences to share lessons learned
• Support planning and implementation of the THRIVE program in relevant countries
• Support with increased digitization in MFIs relating to digital FAST processes and reporting

Knowledge, Skills and Capabilities

Required Professional Experience

• At least 8-10 years of professional experience in development work internationally, across various countries and different cultural contexts.  (preferably with saving groups / livelihoods / microfinance, digital finance)
• Knowledge of Savings Group methodology
• Business focused, with ability to improve annual operational plans and advise on product pilots, results analysis and workforce plans
• Proactive and adaptable, with experience of introducing new products or services
• Project management experience is required, including financial monitoring and reporting
• Microfinance specialist with majority of experience in group lending, proven experience in “down market” activities such as vulnerable populations e.g. refugees, rural remote communities etc.
• Must be able to travel for work in very remote/rural areas and potential high-risk areas such as Mali
• Experience of delivering training virtually, as well as in person
• Must have experience and technical skills in using digital platforms or systems relating to either mobile money, saving groups digitisation, Power BI or related
• Must have a proven track record of engaging and influencing leaders externally and internally – e.g. building new partnerships, leading change, introducing new products/services and speaking at events, webinars and conferences
• Native French speaker with excellent English or native English speaker with excellent French

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of digital platforms for savings groups is an advantage
• Knowledge of saving groups/group based methodologies is an advantage
• Experience of scaling innovations in international contexts is an advantage
• Experience of grant applications or grant monitoring is an advantage

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 30%

Applicant Types Accepted:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation with a mission centred on following Jesus Christ in service to the world´s most vulnerable children. Therefore, in all locations to the fullest extent legally permissible, the successful applicant will affirm our core documents, observe conduct compatible with Christian principles, serve at a high level of professional ethics and strive to act in accordance with cultural sensitivities. Furthermore, regular attendance with team and office devotions, chapel and prayer gatherings are expected in line with policies in the World Vision host location and its departments.