Lowongan - Grameen Technology Center: : Program Manager for Application Laboratory Indonesia

Position: Program Manager
Location: Indonesia (based in Jakarta)
Job Type: 12 month contract (renewable upon adequate performance and funding support)
Starting Date: Immediate

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About the Application Laboratory and the Grameen Technology Center
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The Application Laboratory (AppLab) develops, tests, strengthens and scales products and services that can be delivered over mobile devices to aid in the fight against poverty. Grameen Foundation is already working in Indonesia to create Village Phone Operators to serve as a testing ground for driving mobile information and content with the objective of alleviating poverty through sustainable and scalable business models. Our efforts in Indonesia will serve as a platform for global replication and scaling.

The AppLab is an initiative of the Grameen Technology Center, an initiative of Grameen Foundation. The Center focuses on technology that makes microfinance operations more efficient, creates income-generating opportunities for the rural poor and provides poor communities access to information and resources. Our efforts support the Grameen Foundation’s mission to empower the world’s poorest people to lift themselves out of poverty with dignity through access to financial services and information.

Please visit www.grameenfoundation.org for additional information.

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Job Description
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The Program Manager is directly responsible for the on-the-ground implementation of the AppLab in Indonesia. You will provide strategic and operational leadership of our efforts by working closely with a range of AppLab partners, managing local resources, guiding several types of research, tracking and reporting results and recommending overall strategy. In this high profile position you will shape AppLab evolution and develop applications with the objective of global scaling.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

Develop strategy for building the AppLab in Indonesia
• Deepen relationships, leverage strengths and understand needs of local partners (major mobile operator, microfinance institutions, Village Phone Operators and others)
• Serve as local link with partners based outside of Indonesia
• Gain deep understanding of complementary initiatives, global trends in application usage and learning from related experiences and incorporate into implementation strategy
• Develop recommendations for short-, mid- and long-term AppLab strategy in Indonesia and update regularly based on learning

Implement with excellence
• Prepare ambitious but achievable detailed project plans covering small- and medium-scale pilots as well as nationwide scaling
• Actively manage implementation -- problem solve and remove barriers as they arise
• Provide technical subject matter expertise and work closely with partners to ensure effective technical implementation
• Craft effective sensitization, education and demand reinforcement programs (marketing)
• Develop creative, efficient and effective training programs with the potential to reach Village Phone Operators in multiple geographies

Track and report results
• Clearly define success metrics for each pilot and phase of implementation
• Establish transparent and easily accessible reporting framework to measure and communicate progress on a real-time basis (including budget)
• Prepare timely and comprehensive analyses of pilots, suggest approaches to strengthen applications/business models and draw conclusions about scaling potential and approach
• Prepare summary updates and reports as needed

Manage local resources and vendors/suppliers
• Develop a detailed training program for the local project manager
• Actively manage local project managers in all aspects of work
• Develop mentoring relationship with Village Phone Field Officers and Microfinance Institution Field Officers as appropriate
• Prepare RFPs for vendors/suppliers and evaluate responses (including selection)

Guide research
• Work closely with local researcher(s) as required to coordinate needs assessment research
• Drive local efforts to build needs assessment findings into iterative process of developing and testing new applications
• Disseminate findings (as appropriate)

Promote AppLab efforts outside of Indonesia
• Generate awareness about our AppLab efforts in Indonesia as appropriate
• Represent the AppLab in Indonesia in discussions with a wide range of partners
• Explore opportunities for additional AppLab implementations in other countries
• Support global scaling of successful application(s) (as appropriate)

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Ideal Candidate
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Outstanding project management skills
• Experienced and savvy project manager with a proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations (ideally in multiple countries)
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects (operational and tactical) – with proven ability to work effectively with diverse partners

Strong business leadership abilities
• Strong, innovative and creative problem solver and strategic thinker
• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• An entrepreneurial spirit -- with the ability to think strategically and act tactically
• Comfort with unstructured problems and ability to manage complexities under pressure
• Ability to promote knowledge transfer through strong mentoring and team building skills

Enthusiasm and passion for our work in Indonesia
• Enthusiasm for learning from different cultures – eager to build cultural realities into products and project plans
• Equally comfortable presenting to a room of business executives and discussing needs with villagers sitting on the dirt floor of a rural home
• Passionate about the work of the Grameen Foundation and the importance of technology in poverty alleviation
• Previous experience in Indonesia preferred

Deep understanding of information and communication technology – preferably with practical experience in developing countries

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Qualifications
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• Advanced degree in international development, economics, public policy, engineering, business (MBA) or related field
• At least 5 years of project management or similar experience – ideally with a top consulting firm or technology company
• Strong preference for people with information and communication technology experience
• Business experience in Indonesia preferred
• Knowledge of microfinance procedures and methodologies is a plus – as is experience in product development
• Fluency in oral and written English and Bahasa Indonesia is required

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Compensation
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• Competitive salary
• Unparalleled opportunity to build creative business models with the potential for global replication and poverty alleviation

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Contact
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To apply for this position, please send an email with subject line "Application Laboratory Manager Position" with your current CV and a brief cover letter explaining why you're interested and what you will bring to the position to:

Sean DeWitt, Program Manager
sdewitt@grameenfoundation.org

Budiman Wikarsa, Business Development Manager
bwikarsa@grameenfoundation.org