About YMN
The Yemen Microfinance Network is a non-profit NGO and co-founded by UNDP and SFD as Yemen’s national microfinance association in 2010. YMN is registered under the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour as a member-based association and includes more than 95% of microfinance institutions operating in Yemen within its membership, including microfinance banks, foundations, companies, programs, and other stakeholders in the sector
- Position: Managing Director
- Level: Senior Management
- Reports to: Board of Directors
Job Summary:
- The Managing Director serves as chief executive of Yemen Microfinance Network (‘YMN’) and, in partnership with the Board, is responsible for the success of the Network. Together, the Board and Executive Director assure the Network’s relevance to the community, the accomplishment of Yemen Microfinance Network’s mission and vision, and the accountability of the Network to its diverse constituents.
- The Board delegates responsibility for management and day-to-day operations to the Executive Director, and s/he has the authority to carry out these responsibilities, in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board. The Executive Director provides direction and enabling to the Board as it carries out its governance functions.
- The position offers an attractive compensation package and salary.
Accountabilities:
1. Legal compliance
Assures the filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
2. Mission, policy and planning
a) Helps the Board determine YMN’s values, mission, vision, and short- and long-term goals.
b) Helps the Board monitor and evaluate YMN’s relevancy to the community, its effectiveness, and its results.
c) Keeps the Board fully informed on the condition of YMN and on all the important factors influencing it.
- Identifies problems and opportunities and addresses them; brings those which are appropriate to the Board and/or its committees; and, facilitates discussion and deliberation.
- Informs the Board and its committees about trends, issues, problems and activities in order to facilitate policy-making.
d) Keeps informed of developments in microfinance sector, human services, not-for-profit management and governance, philanthropy and Economical Status.
3. Management and administration
a) Provides general oversight of all YMN activities, manages the day-to-day operations, and assures a smoothly functioning, efficient organization.
b) Assures program quality and organizational stability through development and implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures, and regular evaluation.
c) Assures a work environment that recruits, retains and supports quality staff and volunteers. Assures process for selecting, development, motivating, and evaluating staff and volunteers.
d) Recommends staffing and financing to the Board of Directors. In accordance with Board action, recruits personnel, negotiates professional contracts, and sees that appropriate salary structures are developed and maintained.
e) Specifies accountabilities for management personnel (whether paid or volunteer) and evaluates performance regularly.
4. Governance
a) Helps the Board articulate its own role and accountabilities and that of its committees and individual members, and helps evaluate performance regularly.
b) Works with the Board President / Chair to enable the Board to fulfill its governance functions and facilitates the optimum performance by the Board, its committees and Board members.
c) With the Board President / Chair, focuses Board attention on long-range strategic issues.
d) Manages the Board’s due diligence process to assure timely attention to core issues.
e) Works with the Board Directors and committee chairs to get the best thinking and involvement of each Board member and to stimulate each Board member to give his or her best.
f) Recommends volunteers to participate in the Board and its committees.
5. Financing
a) Promotes programs and services that are produced in a cost-effective manner, employing economy while maintaining an acceptable level of quality.
b) Oversees the fiscal activities of the Network including budgeting, reporting and audit.
c) Works with Board to ensure financing to support short- and long-term goals.
d) Assures an effective fund development program by serving as the chief development officer or hiring and supervising an individual responsible for this activity.
- Helps guide and enable the Board, its fund development committee(s) and its individual Board members to participate actively in the fund development process.
- Helps the Board and it committees design, implement and monitor a viable fundraising plan, policies and procedures.
- Participates actively in identifying, cultivating and soliciting donor prospects.
- Assures the availability of materials to support solicitation.
- Assures the development and operation of gift management systems and reports for quality decision-making.
6. Community relations
a) Facilitates the integration of YMN into the fabric of the community by using effective marketing and communications activities.
b) Acts as an advocate, within the public and private sectors, for issues relevant to YMN, its services and constituencies.
c) Listens to beneficiaries, volunteers, donors and the community in order to improve services and generate community involvement. Assures community awareness of YMN’s response to community needs.
d) Serves as chief spokesperson for YMN, assuring proper representation of YMN to the community.
e) Initiates, develops, and maintains cooperative relationships with key constituencies.
f) Works with legislators, regulatory agencies, volunteers and representatives of the not for-profit sector to promote legislative and regulatory policies that encourage a healthy community and address the issues of YMN’s constituencies.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions:
- This is a high-stress position based on full responsibility for YMN operations. Handles detailed, complex concepts and problems, balances multiple tasks simultaneously, and makes rapid decisions regarding administrative issues.
- Plans and implements programs. Establishes strong and appropriate relationships with Board, committees, volunteers, staff, donors and beneficiaries. Develops smooth and constructive relationships with executive colleagues, outside agencies, organizations and individuals.
- Plans and meets deadlines. Maintains a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management. Hours may be long and irregular.
- Conveys a professional and positive image and attitude regarding YMN and the not-for-profit sector. Demonstrates commitment to continued professional growth and development.
Qualifications and Skills
- A Bachelor’s Degree in finance, economic or any other related field is required with a minimum of 3 years experience in a senior management position.
- Demonstrated expertise and skills in senior management role.
- Strong understanding of the development sector and Microfinance sector in Yemen.
- Strong management skills and proven experience in team management.
- Very good English skills, written and oral.
- Willingness and ability to handle stress and work under pressure.
- Strong communication skills and ability to negotiate and find solutions.
- Excellent knowledge of the Office pack (word, excel, PowerPoint) is required.
Competencies:
As Managing Director, this individual demonstrates critical competencies in four broad categories: commitment to results, extensive relationships, leading change, and motivating.
Commitment to results: The Managing Director will lead a team to reach several goals and objectives of the organization. This individual identifies relevant information and helps transform this information into individual and organizational knowledge and learning. The chief executive is action oriented and innovative. S/he translates broad goals into achievable steps. S/he anticipates and solves problems and takes advantage of opportunities, is a self-starter and team player.
Business Knowledge: As YMN Managing Director, this position requires an individual with knowledge of and experience in management and administration. The position requires demonstrated experience in integrating and coordinating diverse areas of management.
- Knowledge in the following areas is required: Development, finance and personnel; oral and written communications; planning and evaluation; and governance.
- A high level of personal skills is required to make formal, persuasive presentations to groups and to deal effectively with people from all segments of the community.
- The individual must be comfortable with diversity and respectful of a wide range of faiths, beliefs and experiences.
Leading change: The Managing Director possesses the skills and implements the functions of a leader. S/he shares YMN’s values, mission and vision. S/he consistently displays integrity, models behavior, develops people, and builds teams. This individual deals effectively with demanding situations and designs and implements interventions.
Motivating: The Managing Director manages continuity, change and transition. This individual knows how to influence and enable others. S/he addresses the impact of attitude and action on the YMN and its participants.