تعلن Near East Foundation في عمان عن حاجتها الى :
1- Feasibility Study Advisor / Consultant: Financial Modelling and Structuring
Near East Foundation UK
About NEF UK
Near East Foundation (NEF) UK’s work is based on a conviction that, to play an active role in the development of their communities and countries, people need opportunities and tools: the knowledge to participate in civic and economic life, a voice in public decisions that affect their wellbeing, and a means of making a meaningful living. We call this approach “Knowledge, Voice, and Enterprise”- a philosophy reflected in all of NEF’s work. Currently, NEF UK has programs in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, and West Bank that focus on microenterprise development, peacebuilding through economic cooperation, natural resource management, and the facilitation of water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) best practices.
Feasibility Study Advisor / Consultant: Financial Modelling and Structuring (Remote)
Consultancy Contract for the Micro –Enterprise Growth project to support vulnerable people in Jordan (Jordanian/Refugees).
Feasibility study to explore best financial Modelling (Lending Scheme) to be implemented through Community Based Organizations and Cooperative Societies.
Part I – Contract Data
Project Title: Micro-Enterprise Growth Project (Lending Scheme) targeting Refugees and Jordanians (January-April 2019)
Period of Performance: February-March 2019, 25 days effort
Location of Assignment: Amman, Jordan, with travel to other governorates
Primary NEF Contact: Maha Shadid, Near East Foundation
Part II – Project Introduction and Objectives
NEF is planning to establish a revolving credit fund to advance the growth of micro-enterprises owned and operated by refugees and vulnerable Jordanians through loans and non-financial services tailored to the conditions of vulnerable entrepreneurs. The fund aims to support 675 loans averaging $1,675 through two NEF centres, strategically located in poor urban communities that host large numbers of displaced people, and that are accessible to displaced people residing elsewhere in Jordan. A minimum of 50% of the beneficiaries will be refugees, 80% will be women and 35% will be youth.
NEF will leverage its resources, networks, and partnerships, and capitalise on its centers to support new businesses and to rapidly establish a revolving credit fund and make it accessible three months after inception to refugee graduate entrepreneurs that meet specific criteria of vulnerability and credit readiness. In two years, the Fund will be either self-sustainable with limited external support or ready to be managed by a third party or a Jordanian subsidiary of the Social Investor.
Target Group:
In the short term, all beneficiaries have to be graduates from NEF’s micro-enterprise development programmes (or referrals from similar programmes) aimed at Jordanian and refugee entrepreneurs (80% women), who meet the vulnerability criteria and willingness/capacity tests.
The Assignment:
The consultant will conduct a study involving research in more than one geographic area, collecting and analyzing inputs from CBOs, NGOs, and cooperative societies in Amman al Hashmi area, Zarqa, Jerash, Ajloun and Irbid. The assignment will have an implementation time of: 20-25 working days through the period February – March 2019.
Please note that NEF will consider applications that do not cover all elements of the ToR; please indicate in your application which deliverables you are able to cover. NEF may choose to procure more than one applicant/consultant to work in conjunction on different aspects of the ToR.
The main objective of this assignment is to:
- Identify and finalise the structure of financial products for the lending scheme: including interest rates, collaterals, value and conditions of loans, qualification criteria, etc.;
- Identify and finalise the management and operational structures of financial products and define their relevant legal frameworks;
- Make recommendations related to the exit/transition and expansion strategies.
Main responsibilities:
- Conduct desk research, client consultation, and market share/competition analysis
- Develop the profile of key targeted customers;
- Develop customer preference analysis and customer targeting/selection (including criteria for selection and application process);
- Develop financial product specifications (including modality, type of loans, interest rates, repayment methods/scope, agreements, etc.). This section of the report should contain a high-level of detail;
- Develop operational model (including partnerships, financial and operational management structure, loans and repayment methods and roles, loans committees, procurement, legal considerations);
- Develop project risk profile and risk management plan;
- Develop roll-out plan (including recommendations for upgrades, updates to non-financial business products, etc.);
- Develop long-term growth and sustainability plan;
- Develop financial model, including short-term and long-term financial projections, cash flow, and financial sustainability;
- Develop a “structuring study and financial modelling” summary report combining all the above elements. The report should be approximately 50 pages in length, with approximately 15 pages dedicated to the financial product specifications.
The following resources will be provided to the consultant:
- Orientation meeting(s);
- Project concept note;
- Access to literature on NEF non-financial products;
- List of CBOs and cooperative societies in the selected geographic areas;
- NEF Jordan staff including the project Financial Services Officer.
It is expected that the consultant will identify other lessons learned from other organizations to inform NEF learning processes.
As a means to support learning processes, the consultant will develop a participatory methodology that will involve NEF and partner’s teams, project’s beneficiaries and other key stakeholders.
Part III – Roles and Responsibilities
The consultant is expected to spend 10-15 days gathering information, consulting a broad range of stakeholders, and 10-15 days of desk research and final report writing.
The consultant will be expected to produce a feasibility study through completing the above-mentioned responsibilities and meeting the objectives of the assignment.
Part IV – Milestones and Deliverables
The draft of the feasibility study is due by 7 March 2019 the final version of the feasibility study to be submitted by 15 March 2019.
The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:
- Outline of the methodology/implementation process for the development of the feasibility study including the initial contacts established with the various stakeholders in the process;
- Desk Research: review, research and gather the necessary information from project reports and other relevant documents;
- Presentation of initial findings/recommendations using PowerPoint;
- A first and final draft of the feasibility study;
- A final document of the feasibility study (the financial modeling) summarizing the methodology, development and implementation process, challenges and recommendations.
The proposed methodology should include the following activities:
- Outline: Produce and submit study outline (methodology and implementation plan) including initial consultation with various stakeholders, CSOs and cooperative societies involved in the process.
- Desk Research: Research, gather and review necessary information from project reports and other relevant documents.
- Field Visits: To geographic areas for consultations with CBOs, cooperative societies, and NGOs.
- Presentation of initial findings: (PowerPoint)
- First draft of the Feasibility Study
- Final Document: Including proposed project methodology, financial product specification, development and implementation process, challenges, and general recommendations.
Part V – Technical Direction, Management and Contact Person
- The consultant(s) will work under the guidance of the Program Manager, Near East Foundation Jordan;
- The project will cover direct costs including fees, local travel for one person as per NEF’s travel policy.
Part VI – Requirements
The Feasibility Study will be drafted by the consultant, working with members of the project team. The consultant’s skill set should include the following:
- In-depth knowledge, research expertise and relevant experience pertaining to projects such as the one described here, and specifically, related to micro-enterprise growth, economic resilience, investment in productive assets;
- Experience in designing/developing micro-finance, loan or other financing products;
- Demonstrated experience leading interviews, focus groups and conducting similar research;
- Prior experience producing professional reports;
- Professional fluency in English and Arabic is required.
Part VII – Submission
Submissions must include: CV, and Cover Letter including: Technical proposal (including methodology, work-plan, and detailed deliverables / end-products); financial proposal (inclusive of any relevant tax); and three references from similar projects undertaken by the consultant, including email addresses and telephone numbers.
Proposals should be submitted at http://neareast.org/careers/ by 1 February 2019, at 4 p.m. Jordan time. Please limit your cover letter to seven pages or less (not including examples). Links and attachments for examples are sufficient. Questions related to the ToR should be submitted to NEF Procurement at nefprocurement@neareast.org by 12 p.m. Jordan time on 28 January 2019. Should you have any problems submitting your application, please contact NEF Procurement by email.
2- Financial Services Officer
Near East Foundation
Financial Services Officer
Reports to: Project Manager
Location: Amman, Jordan
Type: Full-time, Project
Travel: Yes, 60-70% travel to other governorates within Jordan
Relocation: Relocation assistance is not provided
The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Financial Services Officer to be based in Amman, Jordan. For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has approximately 250 staff members and programs in nine countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal, Sudan, and Syria. Its programs are organized around three themes: Peacebuilding through Economic Cooperation, Resilient Agriculture and Development, and Inclusive Economic Development/Microenterprise Development.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Financial Services Officer will support in the implementation of the micro-enterprises for Growth project in Jordan targeting Jordanian and refugees. The individual’s primary function is to oversee the design and evolution of financial products for the project. He/she will provide support to the structuring study consultant, acting as a liaison between potential customers, partners and NEF, and implementing the structuring study recommendations throughout the course of the project.
Main duties include:
- Support the structuring study consultant in producing desk research, stakeholder consultation, and market share/competition analysis; developing the profile of key targeted customers; developing customer preference analysis and customer targeting/selection;
- Provide inputs to the consultant on developing financial product specifications;
- Upon completion of the structuring study report, create a recommendation implementation plan in collaboration with NEF project staff;
- Supervise education of borrowers on loan process and assisting them in identifying appropriate loan;
- Assess customer needs, explore all options and introduce different types of loans;
- Evaluate credit worthiness by processing loan applications and documentation within specified limits;
- Interview applicants to determine financial eligibility and feasibility of granting loans;
- Structure loans for borrowers, including rates and fees for loans;
- Determine all applicable ratios and metrics and set up debt payment plans;
- Justify decisions (approvals/rejections) and report on them;
- Supervise loan officers in maintaining and updating account records;
- Operate in compliance with laws and regulations and adhere to lending compliance guidelines;
- Secure proper documentation and managing loan process through closing of loan;
- Provide support in training and overseeing loan officer(s);
- Work closely with implementing partners and NEF staff;
- Provide needed capacity building to partners in related areas as required/needed.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications
- BS degree in finance, economics or a related field;
- 5 years of financial product development, loan processing or loan review experience;
- Proven working experience in designing and/or managing financial products;
- Solid understanding of direct/indirect lending products and practices;
- Understanding of related legal and regulatory standards and required loan documentation;
- Knowledge of consumer and lending services and procedures;
- Proficiency in Microsoft products and relevant financial software;
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in English and Arabic;
- Must be legally eligible to work and reside in Jordan without company sponsorship.
Position Criteria
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with team, colleagues, other members and external partners and supporters;
- Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength;
- Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to;
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions;
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency.
TO APPLY:
Deadline for application is January 28, 2019.
Please apply by visiting our careers page https://www.neareast.org/careers/ with the following
documents:
1. Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, availability and salary expectations;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer.)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by
visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org prior to applying.