Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO)
Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) International is the global umbrella organisation for Fairtrade and unites the producer-, market- and business-facing activities within the Fairtrade Labelling system. FLO International develops the Fairtrade Standards; promotes the empowerment of Fairtrade-certified producers by supporting them in gaining and maintaining Fairtrade Certification and capitalizing on market opportunities; and facilitates global Fairtrade markets, to optimise benefits for producers. With our office being based in Bonn/Germany, we are working with Partners & Members in approximately 80 countries. Over the past years the Fairtrade Movement has seen a rapid growth with a ten-fold increase of global sales of Fairtrade-Certified products to Eur 2.9 billion annually (2008). At an exciting time of growth and development in our international operations, this new role is crucial in developing and implementing strategy, mechanisms and projects to improve access to affordable finance solutions for Producers.
Closing date: 06 Jan 2010 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Germany - Bonn
(improving access to affordable finance solutions)
Through support and development of Producer Finance Strategies and Models, development of Producer Finance Partnerships, and Coordination of the Producer Finance activities, the Manager Global Producer Finance is responsible for supporting the global positioning and promotion – internally and externally – of the Fairtrade Movement, its allied Organizations and FLO International in particular as an attractive, reputable and professional partner with regard to the development of, and improving access to, affordable finance solutions for producers at a global scale; enabling FLO International to act as a successful Coordinator, Facilitator and Catalyst for mobilizing capital to the global markets of Producer Finance, and aimed at improving access to affordable finance solutions for FT Certified Producers, as such supporting the overall Mission of Fairtrade..
PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF PRODUCER FINANCE STRATEGIES AND MODELS:
- Develop and implement technical support strategies on Producer Finance issues: product development, financial modelling, conceptual innovations, financial assessment tools and other tools, evaluations and involvement in specific projects as e.g. financial management capacity, financial literacy. Participate in national, regional and global strategy development and strategic resource alignment.
- Develop systems and processes to manage FLO International’s reputation and financial risks associated with borrowing, investments and partnerships.
- Design innovative generic and sustainable financing and micro credit projects and programs for FT Certified Producers. International, cross-border as well as local setup.
- Develop and pilot financing and microfinance projects in cooperation with the Producer Services & Relations Unit (PSR) and Fundraising & Partnerships Team.
- Investigate new Producer Financing and microcredit models inside and outside of Fairtrade Organizations.
- Support the development of credit proposals by Producers.
- Monitor and evaluate innovative projects, generate learnings; sharing of best practices and knowledge transfer. - Promote adoption and adaptation of successful producer financing and microfinance models and promote scaling of effective models.
DEVELOPMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS:
In collaboration with Fundraising, Relations & Partnerships Team:
- Position FLO International’s niche as a solution to Producer Finance.
- Provide FLO International leadership for engagement in the Producer Finance sector, increasing FLO International’s participation.
- Identify, prioritize, establish and maintain relationships with Implementing Partners (e.g. Microfinance Institutions, other Local Finance Institutions, Credit Rating Agencies, NGOs).
- Represent FLO International with alliances and partnerships and promote alliances with other institutions related to the credit area, such as Banks, Investors, Social Lenders, Microfinance Institutions, Guarantors, Insurance Companies.
- Develop and pilot partnership projects in cooperation with PSR Unit and Fundraising, Relations & Partnerships Team.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION:
- Collaborate with FLO International’s Fundraising, Relations & Partnerships Team for new funds to support Producer Finance activities and programs, including funds aimed at improving producer access to technical assistance.
- Identify, prioritize, establish and maintain relationships with Funding Partners (e.g. Investors, Social Lenders, Banks, MFIs, Donors, Guarantors, Development Agencies).
COORDINATING PRODUCER FINANCE WORK AND ACTIVITIES:
- Coordinate and act as the focal point for global Producer Finance work, activities and communication, among FLO International (PSR, Fundraising & Relations, Communication), Producers, Implementing and Funding Partners.
- Identification of financial needs. In close collaboration with FLO International’s PSR Unit and Producer Networks, develop and maintain procedures and tools for identifying the specific financial needs of Fairtrade-certified producers.
- Coordinate and determine appropriate sources for financing and micro-financing for new Producer Financing models.
- Identify capacity gaps in the Field to execute Producer Finance projects and cooperate with Finance Team and PSR Unit in developing capacity. Organise training for PSR staff and Liaison Officers on relevant producer finance issues.
- Coordinate work with specialists from other areas, participate in innovations and coordinate sharing of knowledge and best practices.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
EDUCATION:
- Master's degree in a related field: finance, microfinance, business economics, banking.
- Having attended the ILO / Boulder MFI Training or similar recently (< 5yrs) would be a considerable asset.
KNOWLEDGE / JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
- At least 8 years of working experience in Finance or Financing, out of which at least 4 years managing and/or advising in Financing and Microfinance in an international and cross-borders setting in the development sector. Experience with agricultural financing and rural lending will be an advantage.
- Specific experience in designing and implementing development projects in the field.
- Specialized analytic abilities with regard to financial models. Credit and microcredit analysis abilities. Preferably in the field of agricultural financing and rural lending.
- Experience in risk mitigation, monitoring and evaluating of financing and microfinance programs.
- Sufficiently familiar with related issues like collateral issues, guarantees, insurances and legal aspects like special purpose vehicles, trust funds as well as performance based agreements.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:
- Strong business planning & modelling skills (commercial).
- Process facilitation and organizational development skills.
- Strong organizational, planning and evaluation skills.
- Overall management skills to include: strategic planning, work planning and team management. Managing and motivating teams to achieve targets and the ability to manage change.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a multidisciplinary, multi-location and multicultural team.
- Managing cross-organizational, complex projects will be an advantage.
- Strong Excel & MS office skills.
- Languages: Fluency in English. Proficiency in Spanish, French or Portuguese will be an advantage.
PERSONAL QUALITIES:
- Negotiation and partnership development skills.
- Decision making and problem solving.
- Outward looking and ability to influence new ways of working.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Cross-cultural communication skills.
Reference Code: RW_7Y6JRG-51
