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1 Dec 2014

Full-Time Field Program Officer

I-DEV International – Posted by Camille Iquitos, Loreto, Peru

Job Description

ABOUT I-DEV INTERNATIONAL:
I-DEV International is a global management strategy and financial advisory firm with offices in San Francisco (Global Headquarters), Peru (Latin America Regional Headquarters) and Kenya (Africa Regional Headquarters). Via its Insight Consulting and Investment Services Groups, I-DEV helps to build and finance competitive, viable businesses and industries in emerging markets worldwide.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

I-DEV International and the Bernard Van Leer Foundation are launching an 18-month long project in the Iquitos region of Peru with the aim of developing an ecosystem of commercially viable and competitive micro-businesses in the community of Belén. While the wider Iquitos area has become the second most popular tourist destination in Peru, the Belén district has seen little economic growth with most residents still living in extreme poverty without access to basic services. The project will aim to create market linkages between local micro-entrepreneurs in Belén and the more established tourist industry in Iquitos with the ultimate goal of improving livelihoods in the area.

I-DEV will work with local stakeholders (organizations, entrepreneurs, and community groups) to develop an inclusive micro-entrepreneurship training program for new businesses, in addition to working with and strengthening existing businesses and value chains that can be used to support the micro-entrepreneurs. As part of the project, I-DEV will launch an Entrepreneurship Center in Belén that will be the focal point for community engagement.

THE POSITION:
I-DEV is looking for a full-time, in-field program officer (‘PO’) to assist with the day-to-day operations of the project, and be based in Iquitos. The PO will be focused on coordinating local partners, running the Entrepreneurship Center, supporting the delivery of the micro-entrepreneurship training program and providing on-going business counseling and assistance to the participants of the program alongside the I-DEV team.

The PO’s responsibilities will include:

1) Strategy Development and Iteration
• Participation in regular team meetings on planning, execution and project strategy
• Assist project manager in collecting and documenting lessons learnt throughout duration of project
• Help project team define a successful exit strategy and transition the program to a partner entity to ensure long-term continuity of the training beyond I-DEV’s engagement

2) Project Operations Coordination
• Serve as main point of contact in Iquitos for I-DEV’s team and project counterparts
• Contribute to the development of relations with counterparts i.e. local authorities, NGOs, corporations and anchor businesses, funders, community organizations, etc.
• Coordinate and manage relations with local partners of the “umbrella” entity through weekly meetings, e-mail follow-ups and phone calls
• Help identify location for Entrepreneurship Center in the Belén community of Iquitos
• Take active role in the design and delivery of the micro-entrepreneurship training program, including defining training contents, identifying key capacity building partners and supporting the organization and facilitation of workshops and events.
• Work closely with field partners to identify and enroll participants in the entrepreneurship program
• Work with field team to create appropriate communication strategies for building awareness of the Center in the community
• Proactively address on the ground issues as needed when they arise.

3) Administration
• Assist project manager in the drafting of project reports and other deliverables
• Monitor budgets and keep records of monthly expenses
• Take on other administrative tasks as assigned such as updating contacts database, taking meeting minutes, assisting with travel logistics, etc.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful candidates for the position will have the following qualifications and experience:
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or International Relations required
• 2-3 years of prior working experience in Base of the Pyramid business development, emerging markets strategy consulting, and/or the social business sector
• Field-based and hands-on experience with training and community development strongly desirable
• Strong understanding of pro-poor business solutions, market-based approaches to development, impact investing and social enterprise
• Enthusiastic, self-starter, and comfortable working autonomously in a remote location
• Mentoring and teaching capabilities
• Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills
• Desire to work with impoverished communities and ability to adapt to difficult living conditions
• Proficiency in Spanish
• Prior experience in Latin America or Peru a plus
• Candidates with prior volunteering, humanitarian, Peace Corps, or NGO experience will be valued

The interview process will test strong candidates on critical thinking, problem solving, business skills, language, and general fit. All candidates should be self-starters who are comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and be independent, out-of-the-box thinkers who are also comfortable representing I-DEV International and its mission.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• This position is open to applicants of all nationalities
• Location: Iquitos, Peru
• Duration: fixed, 15 months, with the possibility to turn into a full time position with I-DEV’s regional office at the end of the assignment.
• Compensation: Competitive salary based on position-holder’s experience and living costs in Iquitos
• Benefits: International health care and property insurance
• Visa requirements: Most foreigners can enter Peru with a 90-day tourist visa. I-DEV will assist the selected person with the necessary procedures to obtain a work permit in Peru once in-country.
• Travel: regular travel to Lima where the I-DEV regional office is based will be required; occasional travel in the surrounding Iquitos area and communities may occur. I-DEV will cover all work-related travel expenses.
• Flight from home country to Peru and moving costs are to be covered by the position-holder.

How to Apply

Send a cover letter and resume with Subject Title “I-DEV Iquitos Field Program Officer” to Camille Chouan: [email protected] The rolling application process begins effective immediately.

Job Categories: Social Entrepreneurship. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: base of the pyramid, BoP, community development, Consulting, emerging market, entrepreneurship, micro-business, microentrepreneurship, Peru, project management, rainforest, social business, and training.

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