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 the Business Development.

Job Title: Management Trainee for Business Development

Ref: LMGTBD07
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.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Strategy and Business Development Unit, 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 all the operation units of LAPO MFB, partner organizations 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:

To immense in planning, designing/re-designing and co-ordinate the implementation of LAPO 2012 -2017 strategy/business plan.
To facilitate the maintenance of accurate and up to date records for effective and smooth running of business under changing environmental circumstances

Focus areas of training

• To be trained to perform the following duties and tasks:
• Support the Head of Strategy and Business Development in developing a robust business strategy for the bank
• Initiative and executive market research
• Participate in clients’ satisfaction survey and in the implementation of recommendations from the survey
• Participate annual staff satisfaction survey
• Monitor the implementation of LAPO Social Performance Management in collaboration with Clients Relations Unit, Regional and Branch Managers
• Manage relationship with social investors – reporting/updating partners on the implementation of social performance task
• Manage relationship with other LAPO subsidiaries
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as may be assigned by the Head of Strategy and Business Development

Education qualification

• At least MSC degree from a reputable Nigerian University and background in any social science course

Other skills and competences

• Strong research background
• Ability to develop proposals for grants
• Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research with Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
• Knowledge of industry and economic environment
• Sound knowledge of best practices in financial management;
• Knowledge of relevant accounting packages;
• Knowledge of existing regulatory framework;
• 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);
• 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
• Minimum of three years experience in strategy and business development

Key performance indicators

• Maintaining high social performance index for LAPO MFB
• Production of detailed market survey for product development, as well as clients’ and staff satisfaction survey
• Timely execution of 2012 – 2017 LAPO Strategy
• Degree of error in reports generated

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