LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited is a pro-poor financial institution committed to the empowerment of low-income Nigerians through access to responsive financial services delivered on a sustainable basis. The institution was founded as a non-profit entity by Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe while working as a Rural Co-operative Officer in Delta State, Nigeria. In 2010, LAPO set up a microfinance bank and transferred the bulk of its microfinance operations to the new institutional vehicle.

LAPO Microfinance Bank Ltd., in partnership with the German AFOS Foundation, and the German Catholic Entrepreneurs Association (BKU) is implementing a project co-financed by the German Government to strengthen LAPO’s capacity to promote qualitative growth and efficiently manage the quality of its services. Focus is on ensuring efficient management of resources, personnel development as well as improving LAPO’s capacity to provide further training to other microfinance institutions.

The project is seeking to recruit a trainee for General services in general services unit of corporate services department

Job Title: Management-Trainee for General Services

Ref: LMGTGS10
Job Location: Lagos

Institution and Project Program Professional Background
Lift Above Poverty Organization Microfinance Bank (LAPO) MFB Ltd. in partnership with the German AFOS Foundation, and the German Catholic Entrepreneurs Association BKU are implementing a project co-financed by the German Government to strengthen LAPO with regards to its capacity, to promote qualitative growth and to efficiently manage the quality of its services. The focus is on the building and expansion of efficient management and personnel development and on improving LAPO’s capacity to provide further training also to other microfinance institutions.

One of the main components of the project is the Trainee-Program.

It is designed to cover a period of twelve months shared between:

• On-the-job training (operations – Field, Branch, Region and Head Office) for about three months;
• Functional information and involvement in projects – about two months;
• Project Management and responsibility – about two months;
• Special training in the functional areas where the future job is planned – about three months;
• Formal training units in the form of seminars and workshops on relevant management skills – two months and continuous after the program.

The project is seeking to recruit a trainee for General services in general services unit of corporate services department

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of General Services, the trainee is expected to rigorously complete the full Trainee-Program and acquire the relevant certifications.

The Trainee is expected to work in close collaboration with the entire operation units of LAPO MFB within the prescribed timeframe and to support project delivery in areas and functions assigned.

Target of training
Next to the intensive academic trainings on general management, inputs on LAPO culture, strategy, structure and systems as well as on-the-job project management capacity building, the focus of professional training is to serve the following future responsibilities:

Plan, direct, and coordinate general services activities of LAPO.
To develop and manage a sustainable procurement strategy for LAPO.

Focus areas of training

• Plan, administer and control budgets for equipment, stationery and other supplies
• Handle the procurement and distribution of general office maintenance facilities
• Provide logistic support for meetings, seminars and retreat
• Vet and sign vouchers for procurement of materials within approved range
• Prepare departmental budget for management approval, and subsequent implementation
• Prepare appropriate reports for presentation in management meetings
• Prepare policy and procedure manual for general administrative activities and ensure implementation and compliance
• Manage the bank’s fleet of vehicles to ensure good maintenance and cost efficiency
• Oversee the effective management of the Contracting andProcurement process and budget for the office
• Manage the bank’s pool of drivers to ensure that they provide the required support services, with utmost commitment and integrity
• Ensure the implementation of an effective and efficient maintenance strategy in the management of UBA Country office assets
• Ensure the development and implementation of a holistic Health, Safety and Environment plan for the bank across all its business areas in the Country of operation
• Ensure that ambience of LAPO Microfinance bank branches conform to set standards that will enhance the bank’s brand value and corporate image
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as may be assigned by Head Corporate Services.

Education qualification

• The ideal candidate must possess either Bsc or HND in Social sciences from a reputable institution
• A post graduate degree and/or relevant professional qualification will be an added advantage

Other skills and competences

• Sound knowledge of best practices in general services and administration;
• Knowledge of relevant procurement packages;
• Knowledge of existing regulatory framework;
• Knowledge of industry and economic environment;
• Strategic thinking and analytical skills;
• Managerial and leadership skills;
• Integrity and firmness;
• Team building, people and conflict management skills;
• attention to detail and accuracy;
• strong communication skills;
• information and task monitoring;
• problem analysis;
• Sound mastery in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, ppt., Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
• Organizational skills, secretarial and office management competences;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Learning and sharing knowledge; encourage the learning of others.
• Accountable and transparent in all aspects of work;
• Readiness and ability to accommodate flexible working hours;
• Readiness to accommodate travels outside the regular work station (in particular travels to Benin City);
• Judgment/Decision-Making/Problem solving skills
• Stress Tolerance/Performance Under Pressure/Resilience
• Coaching/ influencing and supervisory disposition;
• Ability and readiness to work with people of different nationalities and cultures

Experience

• Not relevant in the case of fresh graduates with the relevant academic qualifications; alternatively
• 0-3 years of work experience

Key performance indicators

• Cost saving against target
• Incidents of genuine staff complaints
• Incidents of service failures
• Response time to staff needs
• Customer satisfaction rating
• Quality of branch ambience, measured by cases of exceptions to stipulated standards
• Quality of reports (with zero tolerance for errors)
• Incidents/cases of financial loss due to negligence
• Timeliness in carrying out regular duties, such as settlement of insurance premiums

Language: Fluency in English

Age limit: Between 25 and 30 years of age
Start Date: 1st April 2014
Duration of program: 12 months

Remuneration
Salary: Competitive and based on qualification

Mode of Application:
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click here to apply online

Closing Date: 5th of March, 2014