Information Evening

Manna Project International

Chillos Valley - EcuadorDesigning an optimal Microfinance

Programme

Manna Project International

• Small American NGO with offices in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Ecuador

• Volunteering based• MPIE: community centre, various

educational programmes, small business development.

• Our task: How to expand into microfinance?

Project Structure

Project Proposal

Secondary Research

Research Design

Field Work

Research Report

Project Proposal

• Define precisely what they expect from you and what you expect from them: Project outline: How to expand small

business development, start a microfinance programme Time frames: deadlines of project stages, organisation of field work

Project Structure

Project Proposal

Secondary Research

Research Design

Field Work

Research Report

Secondary Research

• Learn about microfinance and consulting

• Familiarise yourself with partner institution, the region, the legal framework,…

• Make informed assumptions• Formulate hypotheses

think about how to test them, what data you need, and how to get it

Project Structure

Project Proposal

Secondary Research

Research Design

Field Work

Research Report

Research Design• Hypotheses• How to test them• What data?• How to get it?

organise field work

Project Structure

Project Proposal

Secondary Research

Research Design

Field Work

Research Report

Field Work

• Get first-hand knowlege of your partner institution

• Gather data: market survey to estimate demand

Project Structure

Project Proposal

Secondary Research

Research Design

Field Work

Research Report

Research Report

• Analyse and process the data gathered collect missing pieces of information

• Form, discuss, and revise conclusions

• Write report• Discuss conclusions and

recommendations with partner institution

Conclusions

• Project was very successful: microfinance feasible, implementation in two steps, focus on capacity-building

overcoming MPIE‘s institutional constraints

• 2 months after finishing the report, MPIE has already obtained necessary funding

• Follow-up project with OMI planned

Hilary 2013 Projects

Forjadores – Human Resources Project

• Mexican MFI that gives group loans to women.

• This is their 2nd project with OMI.• They are expanding and seeking to

become more professional.• They are looking to evaluate their

Human Resources programme.• This includes recruitment, training,

promotion and compensation.• They want to make it transparent

and efficient.

Forjadores – Human Resources project

• Spanish language skills would be a great asset.

• Fieldwork is probably in the Summer – this means there is less work now, but the project may run longer. This makes it ideal for 1st and 2nd year undergrads and grad students returning next year.

• Interest and experience in Human Resources is a plus.

Manna Project International

• Examine current microloans project in the community Jatumpungo

• investigate new communities to consider for expansion of the microloans programme

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential part of the project and will take place in the Easter vacation, probably in cooperation with local Ecuadorian students.

FINCA International

• Second largest MFI in the world, serving 1,000,000 clients in 21 countries, including Malawi, Tanzania, the Zambia

• Pioneered “village banking” model of MF• Currently in the process of rolling out new

open-source smartphone solution to conduct social performance research

FINCA International

OMI Project Objectives1. Conduct a technological review of different

customer research solutions over Hilary term2. Write a set of training documentation that

can be used to train staff at FINCA subsidiaries to use the smartphone solution– Team will work very closely with FINCA staff in

charge of customer research– Will involve fieldwork in 3 different countries

FINCA International

Competencies (optional)– Past development experience/knowledge– Knowledge of computer programming– Ability to commit 2-4 hrs/week and manage

time– Willingness to go on 2-3 weeks of Easter

fieldworkNo prior knowledge required,

as long as you are enthusiastic and willing to learn

Recruitment

• www.oxfordmicrofinance.org -> Current Projects

• Written application: Project Application Form for researchers and project leaders

• Deadline Sunday, Thursday 24th January• Project Leaders – Interviews: Saturday 26th

or Sunday 27th

Training

• Regular Meetings between Regional Coordinators and Project Leaders

• General Consultancy Skills – Tuesday 5th February• Leadership and Effective Teaming – Wednesday

30th January

OMI provides you with all the skills and support you need for a

successful project!

Thank you

Questions?