WASHINGTON, 13 de julio de 2017 – El Directorio Ejecutivo del Banco Mundial apoyó hoy el Marco de Alianza con el País (MAP) 2018-2023 para Brasil. Este MAP cubre un período de seis años y orienta el trabajo del Banco Internacional de Reco…
WASHINGTON, 13 de julho de 2017 – O Conselho de Diretores Executivos do Banco Mundial ratificou hoje a Estratégia de Parceria de País (Country Partnership Framework – CPF, na sigla em inglês) para o Brasil. Este CPF cobre um período de seis anos (anos fiscais de 2018 a 2023) e orienta o trabalho do Banco Internacional para a Reconstrução e o Desenvolvimento (BIRD), da Corporação Financeira Internacional (IFC) e da Agência Multilateral de Garantia de Investimentos (MIGA) no país. O CPF tem como base o Diagnóstico Sistemático de País (SCD), análise abrangente do Grupo do Banco Mundial sobre as oportunidades e desafios para o Brasil alcançar a redução da pobreza e a prosperidade compartilhada de forma social e ambientalmente sustentáveis e é resultado de extensas consultas com os governos federal e estaduais, setor privado, sociedade civil e especialistas acadêmicos. A Estratégia de Parceria para o Brasil tem três áreas principais: consolidação fiscal e eficácia de governo; investimento e produtividade do setor privado; e desenvolvimento equitativo e sustentável. "A nova Estratégia de Parceria para o Brasil apóia o país na medida em que aborda os sérios desafios fiscais enfrentados e estabelece um novo modelo de desenvolvimento sustentável. Continua com forte foco na melhoria da prestação de serviços e inclusão social que estavam no centro da estratégia anterior, mas com uma crescente ênfase em novos modelos de gerenciamento que prometem aumentar a eficiência e a eficácia do setor público, além de salvaguardar o acesso para o pobre", disse Martin Raiser, diretor do Banco Mundial para o Brasil. Dentro das três áreas de foco, o CPF procurará alavancar a iniciativa e o investimento do setor privado, identificando oportunidades para ganhos de eficiência, enfatizando a importância de um sólido quadro regulatório e uma governança forte para avaliar e compartilhar riscos adequadamente. "Nos próximos anos, o setor privado desempenhará um papel crucial no apoio ao crescimento do Brasil. O país continuará enfrentando desafios significativos no caminho do desenvolvimento social e econômico sustentável, e uma maneira de ajudar a enfrentá-los, em um momento de restrições fiscais, é mobilizar uma grande quantidade de investimentos de longo prazo em setores-chave da economia. O sucesso que o Brasil terá nesta importante jornada terá como base a parceria entre os setores privado e público", afirma Hector Gomez Ang, representante da IFC para o Brasil. O CPF mantém o envolvimento na gestão de recursos naturais e em questões de adaptação e mitigação das mudanças climáticas, visando alavancar parcerias em apoio ao papel de liderança global do Brasil nesta área. Finalmente, prevê uma maior atuação do Grupo Banco Mundial em advocacy junto ao público em geral para ajudar a construir consenso sobre os desafios fundamentais para o desenvolvimento que o país enfrenta. Ao longo da duração desta estratégia (2018-2023), o Banco Internacional para a Reconstrução e o Desenvolvimento (BIRD), a Corporação Financeira Internacional (IFC) e a Agência Multilateral de Garantia de Investimentos (MIGA) trabalharão lado a lado para obter resultados tangíveis em gestão fiscal, proteção social, educação e saúde. O CPF prevê uma extensa revisão após dois anos para avaliar as novas prioridades emergentes no início de um novo ciclo eleitoral.Para mais informações: www.worldbank.org/brVisite o Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bancomundialbrasilAtualize-se no Twitter: http:// www.twitter.com/bancomundialbr Nosso canal no YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/alcregion2010
En Colombia, 64 por ciento de las personas planifican sus gastos para menos de un mes o, peor aún, no cuentan con ningún plan para calcular el dinero que van a gastar, de acuerdo con datos del Banco Mundial. Ante esta realidad, el gobierno de Colombia lanzó en junio 2017 la Estrategia Nacional de Educación Económica y Financiera (ENEEF) orientada a mejorar la formación en dichas áreas en las distintas etapas de la vida de las personas. Su objetivo es lograr que dicha educación llegue a todos los colombianos y facilite el cambio hacia un mayor crecimiento, capacidades y confianza en el uso de recursos económicos personales, de los negocios, y de la economía del hogar, además de frente al fraude. La estrategia, que contó con el apoyo técnico del Banco Mundial y tuvo en cuenta las características del país y las buenas prácticas de la OCDE, priorizará sus esfuerzos en cinco segmentos poblacionales: · Educación formal —es decir niños, niñas y jóvenes—; · Población en etapa laboral activa; · Población vulnerable; · Microempresarios; · Protección de la vejez y la previsión para el retiro. Además, incorporará un sistema de monitoreo que permitirá evaluar su impacto y hacer seguimiento a las metas establecidas. El Ministro de Hacienda, Mauricio Cárdenas, aseguró que a través de esta estrategia los colombianos podrán tomar decisiones más informadas en el manejo de sus finanzas y protegerse frente al fraude y otros riesgos, además de contribuir así con la estabilidad económica del país. Esta iniciativa también ha puesto a disposición del público el primer portal web de educación económica y financiera del gobierno: http://www.pesospensados.gov.co/ . Allí los colombianos podrán consultar y aprender sobre presupuesto, ahorro, crédito, seguros, pensiones, inversiones, productos y servicios, protección y prevención del riesgo, entre otros. Los contenidos y los ejercicios de la página han sido adaptados y enriquecidos con la experiencia de diferentes entidades que trabajan en el tema como son la Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia, el Fondo de Garantías de Instituciones Financieras (Fogafin), el Banco de la República, la Banca de las Oportunidades y Asobancaria. “Una estrategia nacional de educación económica y financiera (EEF) permitirá orientar y canalizar mejor la oferta de programas sobre educación financiera a los diferentes sectores de la sociedad. Asimismo, el crecimiento económico de un país trae consigo la necesidad de que los individuos sepan cómo manejar sus finanzas personales de tal manera que puedan beneficiarse de un sistema financiero más desarrollado”, dijo Issam Abousleiman, Gerente del Banco Mundial para Colombia. Beneficios para jóvenes y adultos Los estudiantes en etapa escolar pueden ser particularmente vulnerables en el momento de tomar sus primeras decisiones financieras. Por ello, es conveniente comenzar desde las aulas exponiendo los conceptos financieros de una manera cercana y práctica a los más jóvenes, mediante estrategias didácticas innovadoras. Cuanto más temprano los jóvenes puedan desarrollar habilidades financieras básicas, más probable será que al convertirse en adultos tomen decisiones financieras responsables. Pero la EEF no es solamente indispensable durante la niñez: en la etapa adulta igualmente permite a las personas alcanzar una mejor calidad de vida con base en los conocimientos, habilidades y confianza para administrar efectivamente sus finanzas, aprovechar las oportunidades de inversión, enfrentar mejor los riesgos y comprender la creciente variedad de productos y servicios financieros. Esta estrategia es un modelo que Colombia puede compartir con otros países de la región, pero para ello debe ser muy cuidadosa con su plan de articulación y ejecución. De esta forma, una mayor educación económica y financiera servirá de puente para facilitar la reducción de la pobreza y la desigualdad en el país.
Fotografía: Plantación de trigo – INIAF Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agropecuaria y Forestal Bolivia / Banco Mundial Bolivia celebra hoy el Día Nacional del Trigo, conmemoración propicia para pensar en el desarrollo de la agricultura, una de las herramientas más poderosas para acabar con la pobreza extrema, promover la prosperidad compartida y alimentar a una población mundial que se proyecta alcanzará los 9.700 millones de personas en 2050. Pero, para que el sector pueda alcanzar su potencial, hacerse más productivo y resiliente al cambio climático, será fundamental trabajar en innovación, infraestructura y recursos. Solo de esta manera podrá mejorar la condición de vida de los productores, quienes lograrán, por su parte, generar mejores fuentes de empleo, así como construir cadenas de valor inclusivas y eficientes y mejorar la seguridad alimentaria, produciendo alimentos suficientes, seguros y nutritivos para la población. Así lo entiende el Banco Mundial. Por ello, en Bolivia hemos apoyado al Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agropecuaria y Forestal (INIAF), a través del Proyecto de Innovación y Servicios Agrícolas (PISA) que acaba de finalizar exitosamente. El trigo, en todas sus formas, constituye parte primordial de la dieta alimentaria nacional, sin embargo, actualmente Bolivia enfrenta un déficit de producción de cerca de 60 por ciento de este cereal para cubrir la demanda interna, razón por la cual el resto se importa. Ante este contexto, el INIAF ha puesto en marcha el Programa Nacional de Trigo que, en un trabajo conjunto con aliados estratégicos nacionales, como la Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas y Trigo (ANAPO), e internacionales como el Centro de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (CIMMYT); busca fortalecer la producción nacional en cantidad y calidad, mediante la validación y distribución de tecnología y la oferta de servicios. Bajo este esquema se han desarrollado cuatro nuevas variedades que, registradas y puestas a disposición de los productores, son resistentes a enfermedades y sequías y tienen rendimientos promedio en campo que superan variedades tradicionales en 100 por ciento. Las perspectivas de aumentar la producción de trigo son prometedoras. Una de las variedades registradas, Yesera, está biofortificada con micronutrientes (hierro y zinc) y permitirá combatir la deficiencia en la población respecto a minerales esenciales, conocida como “hambre oculta”. Su impacto será importante en la nutrición de la población más pobre del país. La variedad Totora ha mostrado beneficios económicos tangibles para productores que la utilizan con una tasa interna de retorno de más de 20 por ciento en condiciones de campo. Otro hito del PISA ha sido el equipamiento del Laboratorio de Calidad de Trigo en Montero que es el único laboratorio en el país que ofrece el servicio de análisis de calidad panadera a través de equipos de última generación. Pero ¿cuál es el camino para mejorar la producción? Principalmente, la incorporación de más y mejor tecnología. Es por ello que INIAF debe continuar la provisión y difusión de mejores materiales genéticos y técnicas de producción modernas. Además de estos desafíos, INIAF debe masificar las variedades que ya han comenzado a ser adoptadas; ello implica, multiplicar la semilla de alta calidad genética de modo que exista suficiente abastecimiento para todos los productores. Dado su enorme potencial, será óptimo que las nuevas variedades vayan progresivamente remplazando a las tradicionales. Hoy en día, el desarrollo y la difusión de tecnología requiere trabajo en red, en colaboración con instituciones tecnológicas y cercanamente con los productores, que constituyen los principales actores para adoptar estas nuevas tecnologías. En definitiva, mejorar y proteger la producción responsable y sostenible del milenario cereal es tarea pendiente. Los avances logrados, a través de investigación, permiten afirmar que ésta es la vía más adecuada en un contexto de riesgo, caracterizado por el surgimiento de nuevas enfermedades, sequías y otros efectos del cambio climático.
En un pequeño rancho en el norte de Argentina se encuentra la modesta casa de Hugo Zerpa. Alejado de todo, Zerpa es, además de agricultor y comerciante, un hombre que se las rebusca para encontrar soluciones innovadoras para mejorar su calidad de vida. Ha inventado su propia antena de televisor, mejorado sus sistemas de riego y su cocina para evitar humo dentro de su hogar, todo gracias a la energía solar. En el medio de la nada, Zerpa avanza a pasos agigantados gracias a que, luego de sus tareas diarias, se dedica a investigar cómo hacer para tener una vida más “conectada” pero sin abandonar ese paisaje cobrizo que lo rodea. Nada de esto hubiera sido posible sin los paneles que se alimentan de día y mantienen la casa iluminada una vez que el sol se esconde detrás de los cerros. Existen grandes y pequeños fanáticos de la energía solar. Desde edificios enteros que funcionan con paneles en sus enormes terrazas hasta convencidos como Zerpa que conocen los beneficios tanto económicos como medio ambientales de esta fuente renovable. Aunque todavía no explotada en su totalidad, la energía solar tiene gran potencial. Así lo demuestra la herramienta “Global Solar Atlas” lanzada hace tan solo pocos meses por el Banco Mundial que, de manera gratuita y basada en los datos disponibles de la web, ayuda a los inversionistas y a los responsables de la formulación de políticas a identificar sitios potenciales para la generación de energía solar en prácticamente cualquier parte del mundo, con solo pulsar un botón. ¿Tiene mi pueblo natal potencial para la energía solar? ¿Vale la pena invertir recursos en mi ciudad para que los servicios públicos funcionen con la luz del sol? Todo se puede saber a la distancia de un clic. El atlas muestra el potencial de energía solar promedio anual y tiene la capacidad de acercar a las áreas en gran detalle (con una resolución espacial de un kilómetro). También proporciona acceso a mapas globales y regionales de alta resolución y datos de sistemas de información geográfica, permitiendo imprimir mapas de carteles y utilizar los datos en otras aplicaciones. Más allá del potencial económico para los inversores, esto ayudará a los gobiernos a ahorrar millones de dólares en su propia investigación al proporcionar una plataforma fácilmente accesible y uniforme para comparar el potencial de recursos entre los sitios de una región o de varios países. La energía solar no es una moda. En el año 2015, las fuentes de energías renovables superaron por primera vez al carbón en términos de capacidad de energía instalada acumulada en el mundo. Según el Organismo Internacional de Energía, se agregó una capacidad sin precedentes de 153 gigavatios (GW) a través de energías renovables. La energía solar fotovoltaica —que incluye minirredes y paneles solares en los techos— representó casi un tercio (49 GW) de esa cantidad. En otras palabras, el año pasado se instalaron alrededor de 500 000 paneles solares cada día en todo el mundo. Esta cifra va en aumento. De hecho, se prevé que la capacidad mundial de electricidad proveniente de fuentes de energías renovables aumente en un 42%, u 825 GW para 2021, y se espera que la energía solar desempeñe una función importante en el logro de esa meta. Y América Latina y el Caribe no es ajena a esta tendencia. La mayoría de los gobiernos están investigando e invirtiendo en fuentes de energías renovables: la creciente demanda de electricidad, sumada al aumento de las emisiones por dióxido de carbono las convierten en una atractiva alternativa. Este es el caso de Argentina que busca que el 20% de su energía provenga de fuentes renovables para 2025. Una de sus estrategias más sólidas tiene que ver con apoyar el desarrollo de energías renovables alentando la generación de electricidad a través de fuentes como el viento, el sol, la biomasa, el biogás y agua a través de pequeños aprovechamientos hidroeléctricos. Para ello, el Banco Mundial le ha otorgado una garantía de 480 millones de dólares que impulsará la inversión privada en el sector. Y ahora tanto los inversores como los pobladores pueden conocer el potencial de la energía solar a través de este nuevo atlas. Nada mal para comenzar un negocio sustentable con el pie derecho.
Brazilian development bank would benefit from reforms to increase operational potential, says new World Bank study WASHINGTON, July 14, 2017— Far-reaching reforms to modernize the state-owned National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) can help Brazil support productivity growth and job creation by making better use of investment capital, according to the new World Bank Group study, “Towards a More Effective BNDES,” which is now released. The study provides the government of Brazil with recommendations to establish BNDES as a more effective and better-focused development bank, making it less dependent on the government for funding, and making it less vulnerable to interference by improving its decision-making processes and internal governance. Authored by five experts in the Finance & Markets (F&M) Global Practice of the World Bank Group, the study aims to contribute to Brazil’s current debate on improving BNDES operations and strengthening its medium – to long-term role in the Brazilian economy. By establishing BNDES with the full capabilities of a development bank – providing technical assistance as well as financing to its clients – Brazil can better target investment capital toward the most promising small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have the potential to create jobs, incomes and wealth. “Strengthening BNDES can help unleash the full potential of the country’s most promising high-growth firms,” said Martin Raiser, World Bank Country Director for Brazil. “Development banks in other countries have increasingly refocused from pure lending to leveraging commercial funding through guarantees and other instruments and combining financial with technical assistance to foster innovation and job creation – experiences from which BNDES can benefit,” he added. The catalytic role of BNDES in leveraging resources to finance infrastructure was also highlighted in the Study. The authors argue that the Brazilian Development Bank, rather than directly financing infrastructure, could help direct funds of private financial investors towards infrastructure projects in the form of PPP contracts, for example. The use of standardized debentures that provide guarantees during the construction period and pay interest during the life of the bond may also prove effective in attracting a massive amount of private resources to the financing of public infrastructure. “We hope that this study, by some of our leading experts on development finance, will make a strong contribution to the policy debate that is now underway in Brazil by providing a range of policy, operational and organizational options,” said Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, the Senior Director of the F&M Global Practice. “Long term finance has always been at the core of BNDES objectives, and that objective is even more relevant now, but the institution needs to improve how it operates.” Clarifying the institution’s decision-making procedures and strengthening its internal governance processes can help improve the targeting of BNDES financial resources to highest impact activities. In times of tight constraints on government resources this is particularly important according to the study. “One aspect of Brazil’s continuing debate is the government’s recent proposal to revise the interest rate for long term finance by introducing the “Taxa de Longo Prazo” (TLP) or “Long Term Rate.” Although the World Bank’s new study was finished before that reform was proposed, it is a well-designed reform providing a very meaningful solution to the concerns we raise in the paper,” said Claudio Frischtak, the lead author of the study. Among the study’s main recommendations are for BNDES to:Separate the decision to offer long term financing from the decision to provide subsidies;Rethink its selection criteria for projects and companies, including in infrastructure; andRevise its funding strategy to include domestic and international capital market and to reduce its reliance on Government borrowing and on the Worker Support Fund. About the World Bank Group The World Bank Group helps advance global policies that are consistent across global, regional, and national levels and across the public and private sectors, essential for inclusive growth and poverty reduction. It also supports the global agenda to address and mitigate the risks of globalization. Its financing and operational responses are designed to demonstrate pathways to achieving and implementing these policies. Development requires macroeconomic stability, supported by the surveillance, financial strength, and countercyclical role of the IMF. Together, the Bretton Woods institutions establish a framework for effective functioning of the development system. For more information, visit www.ifc.org and www.worldbank.org
Connection of millions of unbanked people to formal financial systems accelerated 27 July 2017, Geneva – A new global program to advance research in digital finance and accelerate digital financial inclusion in developing countries, the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative, has been launched by the World Bank Group, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The three-year program focuses on three different “model” developing countries – China, Egypt and Mexico – and consists of two complementary operational and knowledge work streams. The operational work stream supports each country’s national authority – countries in which digital financial inclusion can significantly improve access to financial services for a large number of people without access to financial services. The knowledge work stream is designed to advance research and develop policy recommendations in three key areas of digital finance: security of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and trust in digital financial services; digital IDs for financial services; and acceptance and use of e-payments by micro and small-scale merchants and their customers. The inter-agency working groups tackling these issues will share findings at annual symposia. The first of these is scheduled to be the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative Symposium 2017, will be held in Bangalore, India, from November 29, to December 1, 2017, hosted by the Government of India. “We are excited to work with ITU and CPMI on this new global initiative that will enable our partner countries to better harness the potential of digital technologies for financial inclusion, and to manage associated risks,” said Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Senior Director for the Finance and Markets Global Practice, World Bank Group. As part of the initiative, the three model countries are also receiving technical assistance from the World Bank Group with a view to putting into practice the guiding principles set out by the CPMI-WBG report on Payment Aspects of Financial Inclusion (PAFI). In particular, the assistance will contribute to further strengthening public and private-sector commitment and improving legal and regulatory frameworks, financial markets and ICT infrastructure for financial access and inclusion. It will also focus on improving financial product design; financial literacy and awareness; diversified access points; and large-volume, recurring payment streams. The World Bank Group leads the operational work, with ITU handling activities related to telecommunications authorities. “An estimated two billion adults are still without access to a bank account, and yet some 1.6 billion of them have access to a mobile phone, creating the potential for e-finance access,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “The ITU community is excited to leverage our unique technical expertise to make e-finance a reality for millions of people through the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative, and in so doing, contribute to poverty eradication and the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals.” “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is pleased to support the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative, which we believe will bring digital financial services to some of the world’s most vulnerable unbanked populations as well as advance knowledge on creating a robust digital payments ecosystem,” said Jason Lamb, Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The three countries selected were chosen based on potential for country programmes, level of national government and private-sector commitment to financial inclusion, number of people that could be reached through digital financial services, and potential for reforms to encourage innovation and digital technologies use. According to analyses carried out by the World Bank Group, Egypt has the potential to bring a large number of people into the formal financial sector (more than 44 million adults). These analyses found that Egypt has adequate laws, regulations and financial and ICT infrastructure, but a lack of funding to cover related reforms. Considered a ‘last-mile’ challenge, China has an increasingly well-developed legal and regulatory environment and financial infrastructure, as well as a supportive ICT infrastructure. The People’s Bank of China has requested support from the World Bank Group for digital financial inclusion measures to reach rural people without access to financial services. Mexico has shown a strong commitment to financial inclusion with its new National Financial Inclusion Strategy launched in June 2016, as well as a draft fintech law. Mexico has the potential to become a regional and global model for digital financial inclusion, despite relatively low levels of financial inclusion. China, Egypt and Mexico are already part of the Universal Financial Access 2020 (UFA2020) initiative. Led by the World Bank Group, this seeks to bring two billion unbanked adults in 25 countries into formal financial systems. The design of country programs under the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative will be informed by the same guiding principles of UFA2020 – the PAFI guiding principles – as well as the Level One guidelines for enabling payments infrastructure, and the recommendations of the ITU-T Focus Group Digital Financial Services. Learn more about the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative and related work at: bit.ly/ITU-FIGI
Connection of millions of unbanked people to formal financial systems accelerated 27 July 2017, Geneva – A new global program to advance research in digital finance and accelerate digital financial inclusion in developing countries, the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative, has been launched by the World Bank Group, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The three-year program focuses on three different “model” developing countries – China, Egypt and Mexico – and consists of two complementary operational and knowledge work streams. The operational work stream supports each country’s national authority – countries in which digital financial inclusion can significantly improve access to financial services for a large number of people without access to financial services. The knowledge work stream is designed to advance research and develop policy recommendations in three key areas of digital finance: security of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and trust in digital financial services; digital IDs for financial services; and acceptance and use of e-payments by micro and small-scale merchants and their customers. The inter-agency working groups tackling these issues will share findings at annual symposia. The first of these is scheduled to be the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative Symposium 2017, will be held in Bangalore, India, from November 29, to December 1, 2017, hosted by the Government of India. “We are excited to work with ITU and CPMI on this new global initiative that will enable our partner countries to better harness the potential of digital technologies for financial inclusion, and to manage associated risks,” said Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Senior Director for the Finance and Markets Global Practice, World Bank Group. As part of the initiative, the three model countries are also receiving technical assistance from the World Bank Group with a view to putting into practice the guiding principles set out by the CPMI-WBG report on Payment Aspects of Financial Inclusion (PAFI). In particular, the assistance will contribute to further strengthening public and private-sector commitment and improving legal and regulatory frameworks, financial markets and ICT infrastructure for financial access and inclusion. It will also focus on improving financial product design; financial literacy and awareness; diversified access points; and large-volume, recurring payment streams. The World Bank Group leads the operational work, with ITU handling activities related to telecommunications authorities. “An estimated two billion adults are still without access to a bank account, and yet some 1.6 billion of them have access to a mobile phone, creating the potential for e-finance access,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “The ITU community is excited to leverage our unique technical expertise to make e-finance a reality for millions of people through the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative, and in so doing, contribute to poverty eradication and the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals.” “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is pleased to support the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative, which we believe will bring digital financial services to some of the world’s most vulnerable unbanked populations as well as advance knowledge on creating a robust digital payments ecosystem,” said Jason Lamb, Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The three countries selected were chosen based on potential for country programmes, level of national government and private-sector commitment to financial inclusion, number of people that could be reached through digital financial services, and potential for reforms to encourage innovation and digital technologies use. According to analyses carried out by the World Bank Group, Egypt has the potential to bring a large number of people into the formal financial sector (more than 44 million adults). These analyses found that Egypt has adequate laws, regulations and financial and ICT infrastructure, but a lack of funding to cover related reforms. Considered a ‘last-mile’ challenge, China has an increasingly well-developed legal and regulatory environment and financial infrastructure, as well as a supportive ICT infrastructure. The People’s Bank of China has requested support from the World Bank Group for digital financial inclusion measures to reach rural people without access to financial services. Mexico has shown a strong commitment to financial inclusion with its new National Financial Inclusion Strategy launched in June 2016, as well as a draft fintech law. Mexico has the potential to become a regional and global model for digital financial inclusion, despite relatively low levels of financial inclusion. China, Egypt and Mexico are already part of the Universal Financial Access 2020 (UFA2020) initiative. Led by the World Bank Group, this seeks to bring two billion unbanked adults in 25 countries into formal financial systems. The design of country programs under the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative will be informed by the same guiding principles of UFA2020 – the PAFI guiding principles – as well as the Level One guidelines for enabling payments infrastructure, and the recommendations of the ITU-T Focus Group Digital Financial Services. Learn more about the Financial Inclusion Global Initiative and related work at: bit.ly/ITU-FIGI
Organization: FHI 360
Country: Honduras
Closing date: 27 Aug 2017
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Chief of Party
FHI 360 seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID civil society strengthening program in Honduras. The project will work with civil society organizations and media actors on activities related to anti-corruption and transparency, and the ideal candidate will have strong experience in anti-corruption programming and/or media.The COP will oversee the team in-country and provide direct supervision to technical specialists.
This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package. Please click here to visit FHI 360’s Career Center for a list of all open positions.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is an equal employment and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.
How to apply:
Organization: SOS Children’s Villages International
Country: Costa Rica
Closing date: 17 Sep 2017
Mission of the position:
The mission of the International Director is the accountable leadership and management of the region, supported by the Regional Directors of Function (Finance, Programme, Fund Development & Communications, Information & Communication Technology and Human Resources & Organisation Development) and a number of general managers (i.e. SOS Children´s Villages International Representatives), who are located closely to the respective Member Associations (MAs) they are assigned to.
This is accomplished by
enabling and driving the rollout of the global strategy in the region,
strengthening and maintaining the affiliation of the MAs to the federation,
strong leadership of the regional management team according to the SOS principles and values, and
contributing to the Global Management Team by bringing in the regional perspective and taking a share of the global leadership responsibility.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities:
Lead the International Office Region, according to the principles of management by objectives, benchmark best practices both inside and outside the organisation
Guide the MAs in the region in their development to become self-sufficient (in their operations, where possible and reasonable also increase financial self-sufficiency) strong members of the federation
Build up legal entities and establish governance structure in countries where these do not exist yet
Ensure that the right people are employed for the right positions so that co-workers, SOS entities, and external partners are always treated with the desired professionalism and according to the principles of the organisational culture
Set the direction for the region and all its employees toward the right mix of supporting and guiding MAs to realise the global strategy as well as implement policies and guidelines
Actively support the SOS Children´s Villages International Representatives (CVI Representative) and the regional Directors of Function in their management roles and responsibilities
Ensure that the International Office Region, interacts and shares knowledge with the international Competence Centres by contributing its own experiences and learnings from cross-regional and external experiences to guarantee the optimal development of the region as well as global knowledge sharing and the development of standards, policies, and tools
Take primary responsibility to ensure implementation and adherence to core policy standards in line with the organisational values and ethics as guided by organisational quality standards including but not limited to the Code of Conduct Child Safeguarding and Integrity and Compliance.
Manage and develop the International Office Region in accordance with agreed plans and objectives, ensure the performance and delivery of objectives according to agreed plans
Implementation of global standards for HROD, including recruitment processes, performance management in alignment with target setting and development plans
Efficient and effective setup of the structure in the International Office Region, and meaningful task setting at the right level, guaranteeing flawless information flow and avoiding double work
Global Role
Be a strong and supportive member of the global team of International Directors, Region, and thereby strengthen the global team as well as cross-regional work
Take up roles in development projects generally led by international Competence Centres, related to the work of the regions
Governance Development in the Associations of the Region
Set the direction for the SOS Children’s Villages Representative (CVI Rep) in building strong National Associations (NAs) through board and national management team development
Take strategic and operational finance leadership in cooperation with the Regional Director of Finance
Insist on evidence-based improvements in MAs’ capacity building and on delivery of requested information on time and of the requested quality (both for info related to International Office, Region and MAs)
Planning and Budgeting
Lead budgeting process in the region according to global guidelines
Integrate international function targets into the regional targets and budget
Monitoring and Evaluation
Review the progress made in the regions in the course of the annual review cycle
Monitor the rollout of standards and policies according to the plan
Support crisis interventions
Requirements:
A minimum of 10 years of progressive relevant national and international experience in a development and/or humanitarian context combined with a good understanding of political priorities and strategic direction
At least 5 years in an Executive Management role with significant leadership responsibility (including experience in planning and managing budgets)
Relevant experience gained within a child focused and/or program based organization would be a definite asset in an international organization
Advanced degree in International Development, International Humanitarian Affairs, Social Science, International Relations or related field (an undergraduate degree combined with comparable senior experience would equally be considered)
Proven background and practical experience in leading, driving and implementing organizational change (including project management)
Strong leadership and people management skills by creating an atmosphere of mutual trust allowing to guide and motivate managers and staff under her/his supervision. Lead by example by setting high ethical standards in line with our
SOS Children’s Values.
Excellent analytical skills to have the capacity to identify key points, develop and generate strategic goals and translate them into practical proposals for action; drive and encourage innovation
Excellent cross cultural skills to support and empower the leadership at international and regional level and to foster institutional capacity building and sustainability
Outstanding interpersonal and advocacy skills with the ability to involve and engage stakeholders at all levels within the Federation to adapt to the changing needs
Excellent written and oral Spanish and English language skills; knowledge of additional language would be an asset
How to apply:
If you are interested in this position, please send your detailed e-mail application (motivation letter and CV) by 17 September 2017 at the latest to personal@sos-kd.org, SOS Children’s Villages International, Human Resources, Innsbruck/Austria, www.sos-childrensvillages.org/
Organization: Checchi
Country: El Salvador
Closing date: 17 Aug 2017
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., an international development firm based in Washington, D.C., seeks a Gender-based Violence/Criminal Justice Short-term Specialist for the USAID-funded Justice Sector Strengthening Activity (JSSA) in El Salvador. The JSSA provides technical assistance to key justice sector institutions and supports initiatives to improve inter-institutional coordination, reduce impunity, improve court administration practices, and promote citizen participation and awareness of legal reforms to fight corruption.
Gender-based Violence/Criminal Justice Short-term Specialist will provide technical assistance to the Attorney General’s Office, Supreme Court, National Civilian Police and Forensic Institute to strengthen the prosecution of domestic violence and sexual crimes. He/she also will provide capacity-building assistance and training to justice sector institutions to more effectively manage cases of gender-based violence.
Candidates for this position must possess a law degree or an advanced degree in a related discipline; experience in a developing context; and education/experience on gender issues, human rights, international law, victimology, international best practices and case management approaches.
Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken Spanish. Preferred candidates will have proven expertise in gender issues and the ability to work with Government of El Salvador entities and local civil society organizations.
How to apply:
Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jssp@checchiconsulting.com (please put “Gender-based Violence/Criminal Justice Short-term Specialist” in the subject line of the e-mail). Candidates are encouraged to visit our website at www.checchiconsulting.com. No telephone calls please.
Organization: Checchi
Country: El Salvador
Closing date: 17 Aug 2017
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., an international development firm based in Washington, D.C., seeks a Court Management Short-term Specialist for the USAID-funded Justice Sector Strengthening Activity (JSSA) in El Salvador. The JSSA provides technical assistance to key justice sector institutions and supports initiatives to improve inter-institutional coordination, reduce impunity, improve court administration practices, and promote citizen participation and awareness of legal reforms to fight corruption.
The Court Management Short-term Specialist will assist the Government of El Salvador in improving the efficiency of its legal system and access to justice for citizens. He/she will support initiatives to increase knowledge and skills in managing court infrastructure, using and applying information technologies to increase the efficiency of court’s activity, planning and managing the budget and human resources, and developing and implementing well-defined strategic plans. The purpose of the program is to provide technical assistance in El Salvador to strengthen institutional capacity, transparency and accountability of key justice sector institutions, in order to guaranty the independence and increase the effectiveness and professionalism of the Salvadoran judicial system. Responsibilities will include developing performance indicators, conducting performance audits of the courts, developing training materials and leading training activities.
Candidates for this position must have an accredited law or an advanced degree in a related discipline; five years of experience with court systems; extensive knowledge of court administration models and best practices and an understanding of case processing and workload management, particularly electronic case management systems; and experience with training court administrators and developing of training course materials for court administrators.
Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken Spanish. Preferred candidates will have experience working on rule of law projects in Latin America.
How to apply:
Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jssp@checchiconsulting.com (please put “Court Management Short-term Specialist” in the subject line of the e-mail). Candidates are encouraged to visit our website at www.checchiconsulting.com. No telephone calls please.
