Project Officer (Short-term)

Job Description

Title: Project Officer (Short-term)

Company Name: The Asia Foundation

Vacancy: --

Age: Na

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: --

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): Development Agency

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field.

• 3 to 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): Development Agency

Work experience :

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience working with SMEs. Preference is given to those who have worked on enterprise development, micro-finance, or business incubation.

• A solid understanding of the barriers to formal finance in Bangladesh. You must be curious about how AI and Fintech can simplify bank intake processes and credit scoring.

Skills :

• Fluency in Bangla and English is mandatory. You must be able to translate complex financial concepts into relatable terms for local entrepreneurs.

• Advanced proficiency in MS Word (for reporting) and MS Excel (for data tracking).

• Practical experience using Canva or similar software to produce professional-looking outreach materials.

• Previous experience working with women-led or youth-led businesses is highly preferred.

• The ability to work independently while the Program Manager oversees multiple countries.

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh (with periodic travel to field sites)

Reports to : Program Manager- Bridging the Gap, Unlocking Small Business Finance through Fintech Partnerships

Reportees / Supervision : N/A

Working days / hours : 37.5 hours per week

I. Main duties and responsibilities

Job summary:

The Asia Foundation is seeking a proactive Project Officer to lead the implementation of a high-impact regional project in Bangladesh. This role is designed for a professional who bridges the gap between traditional finance and modern fintech. The person will be responsible for ensuring that women-led and youth-led SMEs in Bangladesh gain access to formal finance through the deployment of a fintech-enabled readiness tool. The Project Officer (Fintech & SME Finance) serves as the primary driver for the "Bridging the Gap" project in Bangladesh, acting as a strategic bridge between traditional banks and modern fintech solutions to unlock formal finance for women- and youth-led SMEs. By leading "boots on the ground" implementation, the officer utilizes fintech-enabled readiness tools to simplify bank intake and credit scoring processes while managing critical partnerships between regional teams, local financial institutions, and SME associations.

Please Note: This is a full-time role and initially for 6 months (renewal is subject to fund availability and annual performance review).

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Regional Team and local partners (Fintechs, Banks, and SME associations).

• Build and maintain relationships with SME owners to facilitate the piloting of lending cases.

• Act as the "boots on the ground" to ensure project objectives align with the specific needs of the Bangladeshi market.

• Conduct regular field visits to meet with underserved business owners in service-oriented sectors.

• Draft comprehensive progress reports, meeting minutes, and success stories that highlight the project's impact on small-ticket lending.

• Strictly follow the program deliverables to ensure all milestones (per the Startup Packet) are met before the September 30, 2026, project deadline.

• Utilize Canva or basic design tools to create visually engaging project briefs, flyers, or social media content to promote the fintech tool to SMEs.

• Data Management: Maintain rigorous records in MS Excel to track project metrics and SME readiness progress.