The SEEP Network is seeking a facilitator for the Innovations in Youth Financial Services PLP. The PLP engages microenterprise practitioners in a collaborative learning process that combines a small-grant program with an intensive small-group facilitated-learning process aimed at addressing learning at three levels: the individual organization, the PLP group, and the industry at large.

Term: 40-50 days per year over 3 years (August 2009-July 2012)

Innovations in Youth Financial Services
Practitioner Learning Program (PLP) Facilitator
Scope of Work

Summary:
The SEEP Network, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Washington, DC, is an association of international NGOs that support micro and small enterprise development programs around the world. SEEP’s mission is to connect microenterprise practitioners in a global learning community.

The Practitioner Learning Program (PLP) methodology was developed by SEEP as a key way to engage microenterprise practitioners in a collaborative learning process, and to document and share practical, innovative solutions to key challenges in the industry. The PLP combines a small-grant program with an intensive small-group facilitated-learning process, incorporating in-person workshops, email listservs and phone calls, peer exchanges, and distance learning. Practitioner Learning Programs focus on learning at three levels: the individual organization, the PLP group, and the industry at large.

The Practitioner Learning Program (PLP) Facilitator works closely with SEEP to design and implement the learning agenda and dissemination strategy for the PLP. The PLP Facilitator is the lead technical expert for the PLP and, together with the Senior Program Manager, designs and implements the PLP learning experience.

The planned PLP will explore innovations in the field of youth financial services. The expected result will be stronger microfinance institutions better able to respond to the growing demand worldwide for appropriate and accessible financial services for youth.

The PLP Facilitator monitors grantees’ progress, provides training, technical assistance, and mentoring to participants, and is responsible for drawing out and documenting lessons learned across participant programs. The PLP Facilitator works on a consistent, part-time basis and reports to the PLP Senior Program Manager.

Responsibilities:
Program Design

• With the Senior Program Manager, writes the PLP concept paper and Request for Applications for approval by MasterCard Foundation;
• Designs the specific learning questions for the PLP;
• Designs and facilitates a dissemination strategy that will include meetings, workshops, and documentation of lessons learned;

Learning Facilitation

• Moderates technical discussions on an email-based listserv for the thematic area;
• Monitors participant progress on a regular basis to ensure activities are on track and focused on the key learning questions;
• Designs and facilitates closing PLP workshop;
• Makes site visits to PLP participants as needed;
• Facilitates and collaborates with SEEP’s working groups and other strategic partners as needed;
• With the Senior Program Manager, identifies qualified resource persons and organizations to provide additional specialized knowledge, as needed;
• Provides training, technical assistance, and mentoring to PLP participants through meetings and workshops, the workspace, the listserv, telephone calls, and site visits;

Reporting and Dissemination

• Reports regularly to the Senior Program Manager on program activities and progress;
• Assists PLP participants to document their lessons learned in 3-5 practical, easy-to-use learning products (e.g. technical tools, progress notes, briefs, and case studies) to benefit the youth microenterprise field;
• Presents the lessons learned from the PLP at workshops and conferences, as necessary;
• Links key learning and results of PLP activities to other industry initiatives and audiences;
• Makes recommendations to SEEP on improving the PLP learning process.

  Level of Effort:
  The expected scope of work is approximately 40-50 days per year for 3 years, for a total of 120-150 days. The duration of this work is approximately August 2009 through July 2012. The relevant tasks are tentatively scheduled as follows (subject to change):
  

  Program design and participant selection:
  September – December 2009

  Kickoff workshop:
  April 2010

  Facilitated learning activities:
  April 2010 – February 2011

  Development of learning products: May 2010 – June 2011

  Closing workshop:
  May 2011

  Travel Requirements:
  The PLP Facilitator is required to travel to PLP-related events, including PLP meetings and workshops. The PLP Facilitator may be required to make site visits to individual participants to provide hands-on training, technical assistance, and mentoring as necessary. Also, the PLP Facilitator may be asked to represent the PLP at SEEP’s Annual Conference or at other key industry events.

  Qualifications:

  • Excellent facilitation and training skills in cross-cultural settings;
  • At least five years of experience related to youth financial services required;
  • Substantial experience in international development, including knowledge of current practice and trends in the youth microfinance/microenterprise field;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent organizational skills;
  • Fluency in English;
  • Proficiency in an additional language (Spanish, French, Arabic, etc) highly desirable;
  • Skilled in Web-based communications, with full-time, high-speed web access.

  Application Deadline:
  The deadline to send a letter of interest and CV is August 17, 2009.

  Contact:
  Please send applications and any questions to:
  Laura Meissner, Senior Program Manager, The SEEP Network
  meissner@seepnetwork.org or +1 202-534-1403