United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Access to Capital Coordinator
Country: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Closing date: 23 Sep 2013
The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women invests in women entrepreneurs so that they can build and expand their businesses, and in doing so, benefit not only themselves but also their families and communities. We take a collaborative approach, working in partnership with non-profit organisations, corporations and governments. Together we develop projects with sustainable solutions to the challenges women entrepreneurs face, providing the business skills, technology, networks and access to capital they need to be successful in the long term.
The Foundation is looking to increase the number of women entrepreneurs that obtain the capital investment they need in order to grow their businesses. The level of capital required ranges between £500 - £250,000, depending on the stage of each woman’s business.
We are seeking an outstanding Access to Capital Coordinator to take this work forward. The right candidate will have experience of investments, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, and knowledge of capital investment opportunities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The Foundation’s access to capital work is led by our Enterprise Development Programme (EDP). The coordinator will also be responsible for partner and project management within the EDP, whilst also working closely with the Foundation’s two other programmes – Mentoring and Mobile Technology – in leading our access to capital strategy.
We value diversity and welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, race, gender, colour, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief.
Tasks and Responsibilities
- Manage the implementation of the access to capital strategy, with input and support from the three programme directors
- Develop and oversee the implementation of appropriate models on how to connect more of our women entrepreneurs to capital
- Refine and integrate a comprehensive financial literacy training component for each of the programmes, using different modes of delivery online, via mobile phones and face-to-face
- Source global and local financial service organisations and investors that can provide investment capital to women entrepreneurs in our programmes
- Create a selection process for women entrepreneurs who are loan/investment ready
- Conduct and collate research that draws conclusions and policy recommendations on women’s access to capital in the countries where we work
- Manage EDP partners and projects in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
- Communicate the importance of access to capital for women entrepreneurs with micro, small and growing businesses at high level external meetings, networks and events
- Other responsibilities will be added in line with experience and programme requirements
Personal Specification
The selected candidate will need to demonstrate the following experience and qualifications:
Essential
- Educated to degree level with post-graduate/MBA qualification in a relevant discipline
- Expertise in partner and project management while working in international development and with local partner organisations in at least one of the following regions: Africa; Asia; the Middle East
- Expertise in facilitating access to capital for micro, small and growing women owned enterprises, spanning a broad spectrum of commercial actors
- Strong background in financial inclusion and capital investing, especially within emerging and developing markets
- Demonstrable research skills, with an ability to collate, analyse and present quantitative and qualitative findings from which to draw conclusions and policy recommendations
- Experience of facilitating partnerships between financial service organisations, private sector and not for profit organisations
Desirable
- An understanding of how to deliver financial literacy training, management and access to capital training face to face, online and via mobile phones
- Private sector experience
The selected candidate will also need to demonstrate the following core competencies:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to express complex financial, technical or regulatory issues in plain language
- Self-starter and highly motivated to implement the access to capital strategy and drive it forward
- Ability to build strong partnerships and learn from challenges
- High level of commitment to the mission of the Foundation
- Passion for women entrepreneurs’ success
- High levels of flexibility and initiative
- Excellent people skills and adept at working across teams and programmes
- Excellent IT skills
- High level of attention to detail
- Good organisational skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines
This role will be based in London although some travel may be required. Salary will range from £33,000 - £37,000 per annum (pro rata) depending on experience.
How to apply:
Please send your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for this role by 5pm on Monday 23rd September, to Claudia Dickens at cd@cherieblairfoundation.org.
Candidates without the right to work in the UK will not be considered.
