JOB OPPORTUNITY

BRAC is the world’s largest, leading development organization dedicated to poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor. Initiated in Bangladesh in 1972, BRAC now operates in 11 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. To counter poverty and promote social empowerment, BRAC strategically integrates development programs in microfinance, agriculture, health, education, human rights and legal aid, community empowerment, and more.

BRAC Liberia launched in 2008 with programs in Microfinance, Small Enterprise Development, Agriculture, Livestock and Poultry, Health, Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescent Girls, Psychosocial and Survival Support now impacting the lives of over 560,000 Liberians. BRAC Liberia is looking for competent, dynamic, and self-motivated Liberians to fill the following regular position.

No. of Vacancies: One

Job Title : Deputy Business Development Manager -MF

Tenure : 1 year

Salary : Negotiable

Reports to : Business Development Manager

Duty Station : Country Office/Monrovia

Under the direct supervision of the Business Development Manager, and overall supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Business Development Manager will support the implementation of digital transformation/DFS activities at BRAC Liberia Microfinance Ltd (BLMCL) to increase outreach, deliver a superior customer experience, increase organizational efficiency, and find the right balance between tech and touch for BLMCL customers. S/he will coordinate the digitalization of BLMCL field operations, the implementation of digital delivery channels including digital payments, and the design and implementation of innovative digital financial services appropriate for BRAC’s customers.

The Deputy Business Development Manager will support in conducting market research to inform the development of customer-centric digital products and services appropriate for BRAC’s existing and target customers especially women and youth. S/he will think creatively to innovate new uses for technology to address access, usage, literacy, security, and other barriers limiting the use of DFS by BRAC’s existing and target customers especially women and youth. The key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Job Summary:

The Deputy Business Development Manager will work closely with the Business Development Manager and BLMCL management to provide strategic input and thought leadership on the use of DFS to better meet the needs and improve the livelihoods of BLMCL existing and target customers especially women and youth.

Digital Strategy and Innovation:

• Support the implementation of BLMCL digital strategy to digitalize field operations, deploy digital channels and DFS that meet the needs of BLMCL customers especially women and youth.
• Work with the Business Development Manager to conduct market assessments to inform the development/refinement of country specific digital strategies, and innovative technology-enabled financial solutions that meet the needs of BUBL existing and target customers
• In collaboration with the Country Management team, work to implement BLMCL digital strategies and action plans to achieve overall business objectives of increasing outreach, delivering a superior customer experience, and increasing organizational efficiency

Digital Processes, Channels, and Products Implementation:

• Work with the Business Development Manager (BDM) to design, test, refine and implement digital transformation projects including digitalization of field operations, digital payments, and digital product development.
• The Deputy Business Development Manager will support the BDM to develop and implement DFS project-specific pilot and scale-up plans and activities including customer need analysis, the business case, value proposition, cost-benefit analysis, business requirements analysis, project implementation plans, and implement change management activities to maximize the impact of digital projects on business and BRAC’s customers.
• Work closely with the Business Development Manager to develop detailed functional requirements for DFS tools and applications and coordinate the different functions/departments to implement DFS and work with the teams to adapt their processes and products accordingly.
• Support the county management team to manage and track the implementation of digital projects to ensure project objectives are achieved in an effective, efficient and timely manner.
• Work with the BDM to design and implement monitoring surveys and use survey findings to refine and improve BLMCL processes and products and enhance the customer experience in using DFS.
• Cooperate with BDM and the Country’s Management Team and Program Manager (MF), IT, and operations teams to implement their digital strategy BLMCL and work with the teams to adapt their processes and products accordingly.
• Continuous training and handholding of country team on the business case and value proposition development for digital channels, piloting, monitoring, and documenting lessons learned from the implementation of digital projects
• Work with the BDM and the Country Management Team to design and implement client and staff digital training programs including designing digital training content, training plans, and training delivery
• Work with the BDM and country management team to disseminate and share knowledge and lessons learned among the different BI MF countries and support the implementation of organizational best practices for designing and implementing different digital projects in BLMCL.
• Work with marketing and communication functions to design effective marketing campaigns and communication to enhance adoption and active usage of DFS
• Support country management team through the BDM to implement digital-related policies, procedures, and standards in alignment with the digital strategies of BLMCL.
• Through the guidance of the BDM manage relationships with third parties such as digital solutions suppliers, FinTechs, developers, etc.
• Cooperate with BI MF digital transformation, IT, operations, and other relevant teams in the implementation of BLMCL DFS strategies and action plans

Market and Ecosystem Intelligence

• Keep an active watch on digital technologies available in the market that may improve the quality and efficiency of our field operations, and product and service delivery
• Work with other enabling stakeholders, such as regulators, universities, governments, think tanks, BRAC’s fundraising teams, and others to innovate and maximize DFS for impact.

Skills and Competencies Requirements:

• In-depth understanding of the key drivers in a digital product/emerging technology business.
• Insight into the way that digital transformation is affecting industry and knowledge of best practices.
• Experience in digital project management, including technological aspects that enabled you to develop skills in understanding business needs and transcribing them into functional specifications for a digital tool.
• Excellent attention to detail and experience in managing multiple projects ● Drive, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to work under pressure
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to translate complex technological implementation language to non-technical people.
• Fluency in English required (spoken, reading, and written)
• Familiarity and experience with microfinance preferred

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Three years of related experience working in financial inclusion, product development, digital finance services, microfinance/micro-lending, technology for development, and/or payments platforms.
• Substantial exposure in conducting customer-centric research for DFS and using customer insights to design DFS for impact
• Substantial exposure in implementing digital field applications, mobile payments, and/or other DFS projects.
• Exposure to a wide range of decision-making processes and as a result has become comfortable assessing business processes and requirements to inform the design and implementation of DFS projects
• Several years’ Experience working with MNOs, FinTech, financial institutions, regulators is an added advantage
• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Development Studies, IT and Engineering

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Therefore, our hiring process includes extensive background checks and criminal records disclosure. BRAC is an equal opportunities employer.

All qualified and interested applicants can submit a cover letter with their CVs with three referees, one of which should be your current or most recent employer/line manager, along with a copy of your educational qualification. Applications should be submitted by email to: Recruitment.Liberia@brac.net, with the position title on the subject line.

DEADLINE: April 30, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED!