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 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
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
Field Work
• Get first-hand knowlege of your partner institution
• Gather data: market survey to estimate demand
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
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!