Zidisha Microfinance launched in 2009 as the world's first true person-to-person microlending platform, based on direct communication and transactions between lenders worldwide and borrowers in developing countries. We have an opening for entrepreneurial, self-motivated and creative Communications Associate intern(s) to use his/her talents and ingenuity to support and develop our community of members. This is a part-time or full-time "virtual volunteering" position that may be undertaken from any location in the world.
Successful candidates will have a strong previous track record of paid or unpaid work for mission-driven organizations, a passion for advancing opportunities for entrepreneurs in the world's most marginalized communities, strong writing skills, and ability to work independently, take initiative and deliver results without an in-person supervisor. Candidates are expected to dedicate a minimum of 10 hours per week to the position.
Duties will be tailored to fit available openings and the incumbent's strengths and interests, and may include liaison with mainstream and local press and webloggers, internet social networking, liaison with college microfinance clubs, organization of awareness parties, customer service provision to Zidisha lenders and borrowers, and assisting new clients to complete loan applications.
Zidisha is a small and innovative start-up nonprofit organization. As such, the incumbent will have a good deal of freedom to propose and execute their own ideas and initiatives. Successful performance will have a major impact on the volume of loans funded through our lending platform, extending life-changing microcredit opportunities to many more disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
Job Description
The Communications Associate position has two major goals: 1) to improve the quality of communication within the Zidisha community of lenders, borrowers and staff/interns; and 2) to spread the word about Zidisha to the public with the aim of scaling up that community.
Communications Associates use their energy and creativity to advance these goals, growing our online community while improving quality of interaction within it, through the core responsibilities listed below.
Responsibilities
1. Zidisha offers customer service to its members and potential members that is consistently excellent and often exceeds expectations.
- Assist with new borrower application review and respond to borrower email and SMS inquiries in high-volume countries.
- Respond to inquiries from lenders and the general public as requested.
2. Zidisha maintains a lively, professional and consistent social media outreach.
·Send out interesting tweets on a daily basis
·Post engaging Facebook and weblog content at least every other day
·Develop effective outreach through additional social media: Pinterest, Youtube, Reddit, etc.
3. Zidisha In Country newsletter is published monthly with interesting, engaging content and high quality presentation.
·Work with interns and volunteers worldwide to develop original content
·Use MailChimp to design a lively, professional aesthetic presentation of each month's newsletter
4. New website content is translated into English on a timely basis.
·Maintain an organized rotation of translators
·Facilitate the completion of special projects between translators
5. Zidisha features regularly in independent online and news media.
·Maintain press log
·Conduct press outreach and respond to mentions of Zidisha in the blogosphere
·Write articles / guest blog posts
6. Innovate!
·Propose creative ways to make the experience of Zidisha community members even better and to raise public awareness of Zidisha
Qualifications
·Passion for our mission of advancing economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
·A lively, professional writing style.
·"Contagious enthusiasm", a sense of fun and talent for inspiring enthusiasm in others.
·Strong interpersonal skills, discretion and mature judgment.
·Skill in working with teams and in maintaining good communication at multiple levels.
