Full-Time DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE BoP
Job Description
Context: Fundación Capital (FK) is a recognized international social enterprise, a changemaker aiming at massive asset-building and enhancement for the poor by integrating community practice, public policies and private markets to achieve results at significant scale.
FK received the 2014 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, a global recognition for his work in education and economic opportunities.
Working closely with government and private sector partners (banks, investors, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders) we design, implement and provide technical assistance for initiatives across four primary issue areas: Inclusive Finance, Economic Citizenship, Digital Solutions for the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) and Post- Conflict & Territorial Development.
Throughout, we center our efforts on scale and sustainability, fostering new ideas with the potential to challenge the persistence of poverty and exclusion. We focus on disruptive initiatives and policies that accompany low-income households in building, accumulating, enhancing and protecting their assets, better managing the risks they face, developing their full potential and capabilities and standing for their rights (behavioral change), within a transformative social protection framework. FK heavily invests in digital solutions to allow the poor an easy access to financial services, capital sources, information and training.
FK is based in Bogota and works in 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are expanding our operations in the USA and East Africa this year, and looking ahead we will operate in West Africa and Asia in 2015.
Department Description:
Fundación Capital’s Digital Solutions for the BoP is a department within the organization that focuses on leveraging innovation in information and communication technologies (ICTs) to increase financial and productive capabilities of low-income people. DS encompasses three primary areas:
(1) ICT4D: information and communication technologies for development, which includes
innovations related to sustainable development initiatives in general;
(2) ICT4E: information and communication technologies for education, training and capacity building for human development;
(3) ICT4I: information and communication technologies for inclusion, focusing on empowerment, citizen participation and financial inclusion more broadly
About the Position:
Fundación Capital is seeking to hire a Director of Digital Solutions for the BoP, who will be responsible for designing, developing and executing the department’s strategy as well as overseeing program management and implementation, business development, and monitoring and evaluation of the three primary branches of the department.
The person hired for this position will be responsible for (1) leading the design and development of new products and scalable methodologies; (2) generating new business opportunities for DS’ activities; (3) coordinating current activities, such as the expansion of the tablet-based financial education initiative (LISTA) and other e-coaching products; (4) communicating the work and results of Fundación Capital and DS in particular on both regional and international levels; reporting directly to the Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean. The candidate should demonstrate programming, leadership and project management skills, and be able to relate to people from various backgrounds and positions, as well as work well on the field and in a team.
Primary Responsibilities of the Position:
Business Development, Analysis and Strategy: Responsible for driving the development of the Digital Solutions Department by:
− Leading the design, development and testing of new products (in the areas of ICT4D, ICT4E, and / or ICT4I);
− Analyzing mobile trends, studying market needs, and incorporating advanced design
methodologies into the work of all team members;
− Promoting existing products, tools and methodologies among future partners /customers and experts in the field;
− Developing business and financial models and securing funding in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the products and / or initiatives;
− Establishing partnerships with government entities, financial institutions, technology providers, private and civil society partners, etc.;
− Communicating results and lessons learned with partners, experts, members of the media and others, by representing Fundación Capital and DS at conferences and events.
Project Management: Responsible for coordinating the activities of DS’ team by:
− Providing leadership and strategic guidance to all team members, supervising their contracts and revising their needs;
− Monitoring and supervising activities and KPIs, particularly with regard to active grants and client contracts;
− Overseeing budget execution, contract compliance and partnership needs;
− Developing an annual work plan and defining key performance indicators and milestones per grant cycle / calendar year / country / client, as the case may be;
− Reporting to executive-level management, preparing technical, donor and other reports, and participating in organizational level strategic activities.
Candidate Profile:
Technical Requirements:
− Degree in computer science and preferably a master degree in business administration, economics, communication, information and communication technologies, or related fields.
− At least five years of professional experience with programming. It is desirable the candidate has some experience with Java, Objective C, HTML5 CSS and/or Javascript.
− Experience in business development and prospection.
− Experience working in international environments, both in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as other regions (particularly East Africa), will be considered an asset.
− Fluency (oral and written) in both Spanish and English is essential. Knowledge of additional languages (particularly Portuguese and French) will be considered an asset.
− Availability for traveling up to 30% of their time.
Personal Requirements:
− Strong commitment to social and development issues, and the search for innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable development.
− Ability to innovate and learn quickly. Must demonstrate the ability to problem-solve, seeking solutions and ideas from various disciplines and fields.
− Ability to develop and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships with various types of individuals: policymakers and government employees at various levels, representatives of international development organizations, operational personnel (both internal and external), and our program recipients.
− Methodical, detail-oriented and organized person, particularly with regard to data management. Critical thinking skills and excellent analytical abilities.
− Strong ability for listening and working in a team, with high levels of responsibility, commitment and a positive attitude towards service. Proactive, optimistic, creative, and dedicated to social change.