WAM international

US-Based Director, Microsavings and Payments Innovation Initiative (MPII)

Yale is seeking nominations and applications for the new position of MicroSavings and Payments Innovation Director. This new hire will manage a large grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will fund microsavings and payments-related research in several regions of the developing world. The initiative will be implemented in the field in large part by IPA, and the Director will liaise closely with relevant IPA personnel.

To read the full position description and to find out application instructions, please visit: www.poverty-action.org/getinvolved/jobs

Yale seeks a Director to manage a large grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will fund microsavings and payments-related research in several regions of the developing world, likely South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Director will oversee the development of a savings and payments research agenda as well as direct the procedures through which resultant projects are proposed and funded. The initiative will be implemented in the field in large part by Innovations for Poverty Action, and the Director will liaise regularly with relevant IPA personnel.

The Microsavings and Payments Innovation Initiative is a response to a dearth of rigorous research on the development potential of microsavings, savings delivery channels, and better money transfer capabilities, as well as a lack of evidence-based research dissemination and policy advocacy work. This initiative, implemented over the course of four years, will generate needed knowledge, as well as infrastructure to disseminate results to the microfinance and development sectors. The initiative aims at giving life to over 20 new studies as well as providing a platform for recruitment, training and involvement of scholars from developing countries who are interested in conducting rigorous research and in acting as local voices promoting rigorous, evidence-driven policy analysis.

Overall Objectives for MPII Director:

• Intellectual equal among parties including Yale, IPA and others in setting MPII Research Agenda
• Manage the procedures through which research projects are proposed, designed, vetted and implemented; Give direction for recruiting and training of local researchers
• Act as a thought partner for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help produce briefing notes and policy pieces that synthesize MPII research results with existing knowledge
• Oversee the policy agenda and communication activities that stem from project results; lead US-based policy outreach and coordinate with relevant counterparts for local policy outreach

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• Masters Degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business or International Development preferred; will consider candidates with similar coursework
• 5-10 years of work experience in development/development research; microfinance or financial service sector preferable; must demonstrative excellent analytical, communication, client management and presentation skills; experience in proposal writing a plus
• Experience with retail banking or microfinance organizations engaged in savings mobilization a plus
• Demonstrated project management skills, including budgeting, attention to operational and research details, and ability to manage multiple projects efficiently (including while traveling)
• Familiarity with quantitative research (and preferably randomized trials), whether as a producer or consumer, is necessary
• Experience with field research a plus
• Applicants with some but not all of the above qualifications but who are fast learners, are encouraged to apply

We expect a minimum commitment of two years for this position, which we expect to begin in January 2011.

Interested individuals can email their resume and a cover letter to Wendy Lewis - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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