ABOUT GOOD RETURN

Good Return’s mission is to enable those living in poverty to achieve economic empowerment. We do this by working in partnerships that innovate and strengthen financial services and provide economic opportunities for those living in poverty across the Asia Pacific Region.

Our work focuses on promoting responsible inclusive finance, building financial capability & consumer empowerment, and developing smallholder agribusiness solutions. We also deliver interest free loan capital raised from the Australian public. Together these powerful tools empower people to create lasting change for themselves. 

Good Return is an initiative of World Education Australia, an international development agency accredited by Australian Aid and a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). Good Return has no religious affiliations. Visit www.goodreturn.org.au for more information.

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

We have been working in partnership with various Financial Service Providers across the Asia Pacific Region since 2010. Our current partners are located in Cambodia, Nepal, Laos, Philippines, Solomon Islands,  Fiji, Tonga & Samoa. 

Our partnerships are based on a shared mission to provide responsible microfinance services to people living in poverty as well as build the financial capability of their clients. Our partners are committed to improving their social performance management systems, which includes implementing the seven client protection principles. For more information Social Performance Management & Client Protection: 

• http://www.microfinancegateway.org/p/site/m/template.rc/1.11.48260/1.26.9231/ 
• http://www.smartcampaign.org/about-the-campaign/smart-microfinance-and-the-client-protection-principles

Please visit our website (www.goodreturn.org.au) for further information on our partners.

ABOUT CHAMROEUN MICROFINANCE PLC.

Chamroeun Microfinance Plc. was set up in 2006 as a program of the French Non-Governmental Organization Entrepreneurs du Monde (EdM). In 2009, having reached financial and operational sustainability, Chamroeun was registered as a local credit operator, and got its microfinance license in 2011. Chamroeun’s ethos has always been one of social microfinance, meaning that it works with poor entrepreneurial families, that access barriers are not prohibitive, and that vulnerabilities of these families are addressed (as much as possible) in a holistic manner – to ensure that risks of taking credit for both borrowers and the organization are effectively mitigated. 

Chamroeun’s social performance shall refer to activities that are designed and implemented to drive Chamroeun in accordance with its stated social mission, as defined by its vision and mission statements, as well as its social performance management framework as developed by its social performance management committee under the Board of Directors. 

ABOUT SOUTH PACIFIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) is a network of Microfinance Institutions working in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu dedicated to eradicating poverty by empowering women in poor rural villages with the opportunity to start, grow and maintain sustainable, income-generating micro-enterprises, build assets, as well as, finance home improvements and childhood education. SPBD provides clients with a range of training, financial services and ongoing motivation so that they can climb permanently out of poverty.

SPBD began its work on the island of Samoa in 2000. Several years later, in July 2009 SPBD established a replication of SPBD Samoa in the Kingdom of Tonga. SPBD was then launched in Fiji in 2010, in the Solomon Islands in 2012 and most recently in Vanuatu in 2017. All of SPBD's microfinance institutions are registered as non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). SPBD provides savings, loans, insurance, mobile money and financial & business training/coaching services to its members. Good Return partners with SPBD at a network level, and at a local level in Tonga.

FSO Program Objectives 

The objectives of the Field Support Officer (FSO) Volunteer Program are for FSOs to: 

• Gain valuable experience living and working in a developing country as part of a professional team
• Assist with the implementation of Good Return and partner objectives and specific programs 
• Strengthen relationships with partners by enhancing communication and coordination 
• Support Good Return’s communications and marketing

The FSO Program has enabled previous volunteers to build their careers in the international development sector, with a number now in paid roles both in Australia and overseas.

Assignment Objectives and Responsibilities (vary depending upon country placement)

To see the full Position Description for each role please follow the relevant link below:

1. Social Impact Field Support Officer, Cambodia : https://www.goodreturn.org.au/s/PD_Social-Impact-_Cambodia_FSO-7_2020.pdf

2. Social Impact Field Support Officer,Tonga: https://www.goodreturn.org.au/s/PD_Social-Impact-_Tonga_FSO-7_2020.pdf

CITIZENSHIP

You must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency to apply for this position. Applicants not meeting this requirement will not be considered.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• A degree in Economics, Finance/Business, International Development, Education or similar is required
• At least 1 year of work experience (paid or unpaid) relevant to Good Return’s program areas, such as international development, finance/banking, adult education or social inclusion
• Independent living or travel experience, preferably in Asia
• Willingness and ability to travel to the field
• Self-motivation and desire to learn
• Interest and passion for social inclusion, particularly gender and disability inclusion
• Strong written & verbal communication skills, including report writing and ability to adapt communication style for various stakeholders 
• Experience working in a cross-cultural context, especially in teams
• Experience in conducting monitoring and evaluation activities
• IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field (International Development, Finance, Business, Education, etc.) 
• Experience in coaching, training or mentoring
• Experience conducting interviews including researching a subject and story
• Experience in social inclusion (particularly gender and disability inclusion)
• Desire and interest to learn local language

ESSENTIAL PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Independence and resilience
• Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Patience, tolerance and open-mindedness
• Responsible (for own actions, upholding integrity)
• Initiative and ability to adapt to isolated settings with limited resources
• A sense of humour!

ALLOWANCES AND SUPPORT

Pre-departure:

• Induction training at Sydney office (4 days)
• Health check and vaccination expenses
• Visa expenses
• International airfares at the commencement and conclusion of the assignment

Settling in:

• Initial accommodation arranged; it is the responsibility of the FSO to secure long-term accommodation
• First 2 monthly allowance payments paid in advance to assist with set-up costs in-country
• Orientation support (negotiating lease agreements, shopping options, etc.)

During assignment:

• Support, monitoring and security guidance from Supervisor and Good Return regional & Sydney offices
• Monthly allowance (to cover living and accommodation expenses) 
• Language allowance 
• Travel insurance
• Professional development opportunities
• Debrief following conclusion of placement

The placement will commence in-country in July 2020. Applicants must be available for a four day induction course (held in May 2020 at Good Return’s Sydney office), prior to the commencement of their placement. Later commencement dates and/or periods of less than 12 months will not be considered.

Good Return will provide international airfares at the commencement and conclusion of the assignment, certain pre-departure medical costs, visa expenses, insurance and a monthly living allowance (including accommodation costs).

How to apply:Applications can be submitted by selecting the 'I'm interested' link below.

Applicants should provide a CV and a cover letter that addresses the selection criteria listed in the full position description, along with your phone and Skype contact details. Cover letters can be included in the messages section or uploaded together with a CV file.

Please indicate in your cover letter which role/s you wish to be considered for, but apply only for your preferred role (you do not need to submit multiple applications).

We would love to hear how you heard about the position.

Enquiries can be directed via the Good Return website https://www.goodreturn.org.au/contact

Applications close: Sunday, 9 February 2020

Note: Interviews are expected to start late February/early March. It is still possible to apply after that date.

Note: Good Return is an inclusive organisation. In our recruitment activities we strive to build a diverse team that represents our society and the communities that we operate in - in terms of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, culture and sexuality.

Good Return is a child safe organisation. The successful candidate will be required to comply with our child protection policy and will be subject to pre-hire checks.