As the saying goes, “Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime;” based on this wisdom, at URF, we believe in empowering people to take charge of their destiny. The village banking program provides an opportunity for members to get access to small loans at a very low interest rate which they use to start or improve their small businesses. Our entrepreneurship and business skills training provides them with basic entrepreneurship skills and business literacy that help them to use their borrowed funds efficiently. The group now has more than 300 members –women and men. As an intern, you can help with reviewing of the program and providing one-on-one business mentorship to members i.e. visit members at their businesses or homes to see what they are doing, answer questions, and advise them accordingly.

Responsibilities will involve:

• Researching various micro-finance models to compare with the URF model seeking areas of improvement
• Identify resources – partnerships, grants, in-kind donations, etc to support the implementation of income projects for members
• Conducting entrepreneurship and business skills training in villages and schools
• Monitoring and evaluation of members’ small businesses for improvement and expansion
• Identifying local and international market bases for members’ produce
• Providing business mentorship to URF members so they can run their businesses efficiently
• Assist with planning and budgeting process of new potential income ventures for village bank members

Requirements

• An understanding of self-help models of development in a developing world context as well as general knowledge of micro-finance schemes
• Business or entrepreneurial skills or degree or practical experience
• Understanding of investments and risk-assessment
• Research skills
• Ability to draft business or strategic plans – good written skills necessary
• Passion for community development
• Ability to work under minimum supervision
• Openness to learning and willingness to listen to local people with lived experience