This post is open to Chinese Nationals only.

UN Volunteers is currently accepting applications for a National UNV Micro-Finance Specialist post with the Rural Development Association of Mao County (RDAM). RDAM works to mobilize people in society, especially rural poor farmers and vulnerable groups, to alleviate poverty through the economic and social development of the county. Located in the northwestern part of Sichuan Province, Mao County is a state identified poverty-stricken county and the largest region where the Qiang minorities live.

This assignment will be located in the county town, and will be a one-year position. The Micro-Finance Specialist will be working under the supervision of the Secretary-General of the Rural Development Association of Mao County. S/He will be responsible for the following:

Micro-finance Development

·Formulate regulations on micro-credit management of projects within the context of the local situation.
·Advise on methods and solutions to resolve current problems of micro-credit audits.
·Assist RDAM staff to analyze and formulate practical and realistic measures for loan repayments from farmers effectively.
·Conduct training regularly to county project officers and liaison officers working in the villages, (i.e. the training for project officers should be at least once a week and for village liaison officers and community workers at least once a month), which will improve the management of local micro-credit and standardize its operation.
·Summarize the project process and make plans for the work and training of next month at the end of every month.
·Visit project sites usually in the villages regularly at least 3 times a month to keep abreast of project process and provide instructions.
·Collect information constantly on income generation activities of farmers for the project team of RDAM. Compile project information materials to help farmers summarize the income-generating experiences.

Additional activities

· Work with RDAM staff to design and formulate project proposals, compile and translate project documents and send to donors for fundraising.
·Assist RDAM leader to direct the daily work of the office. Make regulations of office work and finance management. Provide work reports to RDAW regularly, make plans and meeting minutes, and collect project information.
·Actively promote volunteerism through above mentioned duties as a UN volunteer, participation in volunteer activities and advocacy.

The selected candidate must possess the following qualifications:

·Bachelor degree (or above) in micro-finance or finance management.
·Have at least 5 years working experience in finance with familiarity of procedures and operations of micro-finance.
·Excellent communication skills and strong sense of responsibility and volunteerism.
·Excellent Chinese writing skills and strong command of English (written, reading and spoken).

Benefits and Entitlements: Accommodation, emergency medical, life, and permanent disability insurance benefits are provided by the host agency. UNVs are also entitled to annual leave calculated at 2.5 working days per month, and sick leave at 7 days within a 12-month period (without a medical certificate).

The following are paid to the National UN Volunteer: Travel to and from the duty station if the individual is outside of the duty station; A one time settling-in-grant paid at the beginning of the assignment (RMB 2000) if moving to a different duty station; A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at a rate of RMB 2500 per month; A resettlement allowance equivalent to one month per year of service paid at the completion of assignment (RMB 2000).

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and CV to unv.china@undp.org. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2003.

Please note that due to the volume of applications received, only those applicants who have been shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in UNV.