Women Advancing Microfinance International is seeking a part-time consultant (“Consultant”) who is available to commit approximately 40 hours a month for a six-month period commencing in May 2009 and ending in November 2009. This six-month period is a pivotal moment in the life of WAM International as WAM International embarks on defining and implementing its second Strategic Plan (2009 – 2011).

The 2009-2011 three Strategic Goals are to:
1. Highlight the important role played by women working in microfinance and microenterprise development through evidence-based research
2. Connect women working in microfinance and microenterprise development
3. Strengthen the capacity of women working in microfinance and microenterprise development.

Accordingly, the key areas of responsibility for the Consultant during this six-month consultancy include collaborating with the WAM International Board of Directors (Board) to do the following (likely time allotments are specified below to assign a sense of priority to these various roles):

1. Fundraising (40% of time)
In collaboration with the Fundraising Committee of the Board, develop and implement a fundraising plan. Identify likely donors (in and outside of the microfinance sector), draft and deliver grant proposals to likely donors, and develop marketing materials and talking point “pitches” for use by the Board as they make additional solicitations to donors. The key goal of the fundraising plan is to raise multi-year funding (approximately $75,000 – 125,000 per year over a two to three-year period) to support the implementation of WAM International’s Strategic Plan.

2. Communications and Marketing (30% of time)
In collaboration with the Communications and Marketing Committee of the Board, develop and implement a marketing and communications strategy. Outreach to various stakeholders, including (but not limited to): a) founders and former Board members of WAM International; b) existing and forming chapters of WAM; c) microfinance networks (regional and global); d) women working in the microfinance and microenterprise sectors; e) media; and f) the public at large. The key goals are to improve WAM International’s online presence and communications capacity, increase WAM International’s presence at key industry events, develop media relations, improve WAM International’s brand equity and identity, offer support to inter-chapter relations/communications, and offer fundraising support.

3. Institutional Development (15% of time)
In collaboration with the Institutional Development Committee of the Board, finalize and implement WAM International’s second Strategic Plan. Present a final version to the Board for a vote at the end of May, and develop and present to the Board quarterly monitoring and evaluation reports (June 30 and September 30) of progress made against the objectives of the three Strategic Goals.

4. Chapter Relations (10% of time)
In collaboration with the Chapter Relations Committee of the Board, support and deepen WAM Chapter relations. Update the WAM Chapter Development Guide; respond to inquiries from women interested in forming a WAM Chapter; complete and distribute (in hard copy and electronically) the WAM Members Directory; coordinate and participate in meetings of the WAM Chapter Advisory Council; and support the incorporation and launch of WAM USA. The key goals are to expand the WAM Chapters around the world and improve communication among and between WAM Chapters and WAM International.

5. Administration (5% of time)
In collaboration with the Board, support the day-to-day governance of WAM International. Manage administrative matters related to Board and its Committees, including organizing and uploading documents onto a shared internal web space; engage with WAM International’s pro bono counsel to ensure compliance with WAM International’s tax exempt status and all tax filings required thereto; and such other duties as may be agreed between the Consultant and the President of WAM International.

A work plan detailing the timing and more in-depth descriptions of activities will be developed prior to the start of the consultancy, and will be amended after discussions with the Consultant and the Board of Directors. This work plan will become the guiding document for this consultancy.

Desired Qualifications
In addition to having substantial (at least five years) knowledge of and experience in the microfinance sector and having excellent written communication and public speaking skills, the Consultant will have substantial experience and demonstrable competency in most, if not all, of the following areas:
 Managing projects and/or consultancies;
 Fundraising;
 Communications and marketing;
 Strategic planning;
 Website management;
 Teamwork.

While not required for the position, fluency in another language (such as French, Spanish, or Arabic) in addition to English is desirable.

Compensation shall be commensurate with the Consultant’s experience and the Consultant will be paid on the basis of an agreed hourly rate, which is expected to average approximately 8-10 hours a week. No benefits will be available for this part-time, short-term consultancy.

Applications will be considered through April 30, 2009. Please send your statement of interest and current resume to wamjobs@gmail.com.