Position: Research Associate, Growing Inclusive Markets (UNDP)

Location: New York

Duration: Two-month consultancy, early April through the end of May 2008.

Organization: "Growing Inclusive Markets" is a new multi-stakeholder initiative, led by the United Nations Development Programme, which strives to identify and examine the vast unmet potential at the base of the world economic pyramid. Growing Inclusive Markets seeks to gather information, disseminate knowledge and inspire action. It uses the UN’s convening power and presence around the world to move the agenda of the poor and concomitant business opportunities into a new space. Our network of partners—from Southern business leaders and policy makers, to local entrepreneurs, multinational corporations, academic communities and development organizations—will champion the messages and opportunities for action on the ground.

Position Description: A key work stream of the Initiative is the creation of an initial corpus of data and information that will underpin further analysis for the GIM Report and will be included in a web-based storehouse of data. Under the over-all supervision of the Programme Manager of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, the Research Associate will be working with key experts and members of the Initiative Team in the gathering, production and online presentation of data and information for the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative; UNDP’s most visible strategic and sustained global advocacy tool for the important role of the private sector in achieving the MDGs. The Initiative will launch two specific knowledge outputs/products in 2008: a Case Studies Bank, and an Innovations Bank.

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I like late March. Here in New York - and in Washington, where I used to live - late March is when spring starts to take hold, bringing longer, warmer days. It's also when the annual Skoll World Forum takes place, bringing a breath of fresh air to cloudy, rainy England (apologies for the weather metaphor). For a review of Forums past, check out Jacqueline's blog post from 2006 and Kevin Jones' guest post on NextBillion from 2007.

I sincerely hope for good weather in Oxford this week, since a number of my Acumen Fund colleagues (and numerous allies from throughout the 'base of the pyramid' community) will be attending the Forum. Then again, rain might be for the best - that way, no one is tempted to spend time outside, away from the excellent sessions. I am particularly impressed with this year's lineup, and its theme: social entrepreneurship: culture, context and social change.

If I had to choose, here are some of the sessions I would mark on my planner as "must-see". Unfortunately, some of them are being held simultaneously...so be sure to check out posted synopses online (see below for more info on blogging at the Skoll World Forum.)

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Position: Associate

Location: South Norwalk, CT

Organization: SeaChange Capital Partners is an entrepreneurial nonprofit finance firm established by former leaders of Goldman Sachs. Our mission is to enhance the flow of growth capital from wealthy donors to select high-performing nonprofits, to contribute to the vital long- term effort of creating more efficient financial capital markets for the social sector. We will identify nonprofits with records of measurable success and present opportunities for supporting them to a network of potential donors, including wealthy individuals, foundations, and other funders.

Position Description: The Associate will support the development and execution of systems and processes for SeaChange's work with its grantee organizations. In addition to being involved in the design of the program, s/he will identify, screen and help advise potential and current nonprofit grantees. The Associate will assist senior staff as they meet with nonprofit leaders and learn about organizations of interest to SeaChange, conduct due diligence on organizations to evaluate their potential for success, advise selected organizations about their growth plans,
and maintain ongoing relationships with grantees to ensure progress toward agreed upon milestones. In addition, the Associate will work closely with all members of the SeaChange staff on a wide variety of projects all working toward the launch of the firm's efforts.

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