In September 2008, GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) established the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The overall goal of AFI is to enhance South-South learning and exchange between approximately 100 countries to empower policy makers in developing countries to engineer and implement policy solutions for inclusive financial sector development. These solutions aim to expand financial services to at least 50 million people living on less than US$2 a day by 2012. AFI is a dynamic and collaborative organization that will promote an open knowledge-sharing and creative culture. AFI is currently looking for a team of passionate and driven individuals that are open to learning. This team will be working at the AFI headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.

Responsibilities

The Policy Network Manager is responsible for growing and maintaining the dynamic collaboration and interaction among AFI stakeholders, which include Southern policy makers, research institutions, and private sector leaders. He or she will regularly engage and stimulate AFI policy exchange, coordinate among Working Groups, and assist in planning the Annual Policy Forum. This will require topical expertise in financial inclusion policy, as well as strong communications and relationship management skills.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Develop and refine policy network strategy with Director of Network & Outreach
Develop, plan, and execute various policy exchange programs with Director of Network & Outreach (e.g. Working Groups, peer reviews, regional conferences, etc.)
Define and monitor membership targets for Global Policy Forum and Online Policy Portal
Build and strengthen relationships with new and existing members of AFI community, especially from Southern countries
Track emerging and innovative policy champions in financial inclusion
Lead development and operation of the Policy Portal together with Knowledge Manager, including the design of innovative methods for increased network participation
Incorporate feedback and M&E results into website/Online Policy Portal updates
Serve as Secretariat Focal Point for Working Group coordination
Collaborate with Program Managers on recipients for South-South exchange grants and identifying potential exchange members
Provide advice and support for outreach activities such as branding, marketing, and external communications
Play a leading role in planning Global Policy Forum
In addition to above focus tasks, deliver on relevant AFI project team responsibilities, for example the internal knowledge sharing of policy learnings

Qualifications

Education:
Advanced degree in communications, political science, public affairs or related field and outstanding academic record

Experience:
Minimum 5-7 years relevant work experience in strategic communications, relationship management, and stakeholder networks at the international level
Thorough expertise in communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential for effective advocacy and network-building campaigns
Experience in financial-sector reform, microfinance policy and regulatory frameworks, and development finance issues
Practical experience working in international and intercultural environment, preferably with policy makers in developing countries

Skills and competencies:
Passion and commitment to AFI goals and values
Dynamic leader and team player
High degree of initiative, a proactive “go-getter”
High degree of flexibility/comfort with ambiguity in start-up environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, results-oriented approach
Creativity in designing networking and knowledge-exchange solutions
Track record of successful multitasking in project execution
Excellent written, interpersonal and intercultural communications skills, credible presence and verbal diplomacy
Strong persuasive, negotiation and selling skills
Proficiency in English and a second widely used international language (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, etc.)
Demonstrated competency in managing high-level, multi-stakeholder relationships
Experience with web publishing, desktop publishing, and Web 2.0 social networking highly desirable