Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) For Consulting Services to Micro-Finance Officer

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 A.    Summary of Role

 Micro-Finance Officer (MFO) is part of the Project Management Team (PMT) will support the Livelihood Division. S/he is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and supporting microfinance systems within Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Producer Groups (PGs). The main objective of this position is to (i) roll out and streamline existing SHG and PG guidelines in all the SHGs and PGs, (ii) developing capacities of Village Self Help Management Committees (VSMCs) to integrate best practices among the SHGs, (iii) building capacities of District Coordinator, M&E and Livelihood (DCMEL), District Finance, Administration and Micro-Finance Officers (DFAMOs) and Young Graduates (YGs) to successfully develop good quality SHGs, PGs and improve the VSMCs to enhance the credit deposit ratio by ensuring 100% on time repayment, and (iv) enter real time SHG and PG data in upgraded MIS to support the project to take timely decision. The MFO is also expected to establish and maintain relationship with National Government, Provincial Government, and Donor organizations engaged in Micro-Finance programs in Laos.

 B.     Roles and Responsibilities

 Program Management

 1.      To learn and internalize the guidelines of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Producer Groups (PGs) developed in the project and triangulate during field visit in the formed SHGs and PGs and learn the best practices existing in the field;

 2.      To review the processes followed on SHGs and PGs in the field with regard to microfinance through processing monitoring lens and suggest improvements, include in existing guidelines, and implement the improvements and streamline in all the SHGs and PGs;

 3.      To review the systems and processes of the Village Self-Help Group Management Committee (VSMC) in the field with regard to VSMC role in organizing regular fortnightly SHG meetings, regular savings, loan disbursement and on time loan repayment, proper loan utilization, social audits, etc., compare with SHG guidelines, suggest improvement, include in existing guidelines, and implement the improvements and streamline in all the VSMCs;

4.      To develop systems at district, province and national level to capture and review cash availability and idle money at VSMC, loan outstanding and on time loan repayment percentage of SHGs on a monthly basis;  

5.      To develop the system of measuring credit deposit (CD) ratio in the project and in all the SHGs, monitor the ratio for continuous improvement;

 6.      To develop a system to generate report on microfinance from upgraded MIS and review all the SHG performance indicators on a monthly basis at province and national level;

7.      To develop and finalize business processes for bank account opening of VSMC, SHG assessment, Family Business Plan, Micro Investment Plan (MIP), Submission to Province unit, Approval of MIP, Fund transfer to bank account of VSMC, withdrawal of Seed Grant from Bank Account, and disbursement of seed grant loan and other SHG fund loan to SHG members.

 8.      Establish relation and collaboration with Banks and Micro finance Institutions (MFIs) and develop systems for timely opening of bank account of VSMC, quick withdrawal of money from VSMC bank account, and credit access for SHGs and PGs;

 9.      Supervise and support DCMELs, DFAMOs and LYGs to work effectively, who will in turn integrate best microfinance practices among SHGs, VSMCs, and PGs.

 Capacity Building

10.  Assess the status of microfinance training of SHGs, VSMCs, PGs against the annual training program as per approved AWPB. The training programs are 4 modules institution building training of SHGs, 4 module institution building training of VSMCs and 4 module institution building training of PGs;

 11.  Assess the status of microfinance training of SHGs, VSMCs, PGs for DCMELs, DFAMOs and LYGs against annual training program as per approved AWPB

 12.  Conduct training need assessment of staffs such as DCMELs, DFAMOs and LYGs, develop capacity building plans, and provide training and follow up training as needed;

 13.  Conduct training need assessment for SHGs, VSMCs and PGs on institution building, microfinance and develop capacity building plans, and provide training and follow up training as needed;

 14.  Develop systems to assess the quality and impact of training among the SHGs, VSMCs, and PGs.

 Monitoring Analysis and Reporting

 15.  Ensure real time data entry by LYG in the upgraded MIS enabled tablets and the same shall be reviewed by the Microfinance Assistance (MFA) on a monthly basis and generate a monthly report and share among unit heads of district, province and national units;

 16.  Respond to alarm raised by upgraded MIS against milestones/dates fixed for bank account opening of VSMC, SHG assessment, family investment plan, micro investment plan, seed grant loan approval, seed grant fund transfer to VSMC, and seed grant loan disbursement to SHG members;

 17.  Prepare and circulate Monthly Progress and Planning Report (MPPR) of microfinance part of SHG, VSMC, and PG among district, province, and national level for healthy competition among districts and provinces;

 18.  Prepare case studies on best practices in microfinance reflected in SHGs, VSMCs, and PGs; and convert the same to training modules (including audio visuals) and use in microfinance trainings;

 19.  Support in preparation of semi-annual and annual progress reports to Agriculture and Livelihood Specialist (ALS), Head of Livelihood Division.

 Other

 20.  Comply with PRF principles and Code of Ethics and Conduct;

 21.  Within scope of her/his responsibility, promote PRF profile, protect interest and explain PRF principles and processes to GoL representatives, donors, concerned parties and NGOs as required;

 22.  Accomplish other tasks as requested by Supervisor, according to project needs.

 C.    Position requirements

 Qualifications and experience

 Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Statistics, Micro-Finance, Community Development, Economic Development;

• Minimum of 5 year experience in rural microfinance training and technical assistance; and 3 year experience in participatory planning and establishment & management of SHGs;
• Comprehensive knowledge of SHGs best practices, especially with regard to the provision of financial services in rural areas for agricultural and non-agricultural activities;
• Good understanding of microfinance sector development principles and approaches, the different types of financial institutions and their services;
• Knowledge of participatory approaches for capacity building;
• Excellent report writing and communication skills in Lao and English;
• Ability to work in a multicultural setting;
• Understanding of gender mainstreaming is preferred.

 Personal Attributes

 Excellent computer skills including all MS. Office programs, financial management systems;

• Experience in government and foreign aid development project operations;
• Good level of English skills (speaking, reading and report writing);
• Good communication and social skills;
• Ability to work independently and within a team;
• Willingness to travel to and within the target districts and villages for extended periods of time.

 D.    Deliverables

 The deliverables would include:

 Plan of action and a schedule of activities for completing tasks within the consultancy period;

1. Monthly status reports on the activities being performed under the consultancy;
2. Technical Assistance and Training Completion Report for Livelihood officers at province and district level, VLCs, SHGs and VSMCs, detailing the activities completed, the methodology used in carrying out the technical assistance and training, problems encountered while carrying out activities, solutions implemented (if any) for resolving problems encountered, lessons learned from the different activities carried out and recommendations for the LN;
3. Family Investment Plans and Micro Investment Plans for the SHGs and VSMCs with clearly defined business model, financial projections and clear exit strategy and milestones for sustainability.