Long-Term Business Advisors Program

Implementing Organization:
Institute for International Education

In October of 2005, VEGA member organization, The Institute for International Education (IIE), implemented the Long-Term Business Advisors Program in Pakistan through its Emerging Market Development Advisers Program (EMDAP), to develop and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistan’s private sector with the ultimate goal of promoting growth of the nation's economy.

Leveraging the business management knowledge and technical expertise of recent graduate students, VEGA identified a highly qualified volunteer expert to assist USAID’s Office of Microenterprise Development (MD) as a Microfinance Adviser with Save the Children to help start a best practice microfinance program in Pakistan and strategize with Asasah, a local Microfinance partner. Additionally, the adviser worked to recruit and train a local microfinance expert.

LTBA Pakistan Program Achievements

• Improved data collection system.
• Enhanced the Save the Children/Asasah partnership.
• Completed several strategic planning exercises with senior management.
• Drafted Asasah’s business plan to share with current and potential donors and investors.
• Completed a market study on micro leasing and made recommendations to Asasah on product features.

Advisor Assignments

2006-2007

Sadaf Zahid, MF Advisor, Save the Children/Asasah, Lahore, Islamabad

Advisor Testimonials

Sadaf Zahid observed that her assignment to Save the Children/Asasah during a transition period of rapid growth was timely, giving her the opportunity to fill a notable technical assistance gap. As a result of her technical assistance, she thinks her host organization counterparts are “clearer about future directions.” “I am staying on an additional year to develop a Business Development Department which will directly assist in Asasah’s growth. Through this department I will build capacity of marketing and product development executives and hire research staff.”

-Sadaf Zahid
MF Advisor, Save the Children/Asasah, Lahore, Islamabad

Additional Information

Longterm Business Advisers Program Brochure- pdf»