Sierra Leone
Long-Term Business Advisers Program
Implementing Organization:
Institute for International Education
In October of 2005, VEGA member organization, The Institute for International Education (IIE), through its through its Emerging Market Development Advisers Program (EMDAP), in Sierra Leone to develop and enhance the competitiveness of the country's private sector with the ultimate goal of promoting the growth of Sierra Leone's economy.
Leveraging the business management knowledge and technical expertise of recent graduate students, VEGA identified one highly qualified volunteer to assist USAID’s Office of Microenterprise Development (MD) as a Product Development and Management Adviser for market research for the American Refugee Committee/Finance Salone. In this position, the volunteer helped to determine client needs, develop financial products and build the organization’s capacity to manage new products, including staff development.
LTBA Sierra Leone Program Achievements
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Conducted client focus group discussion which resulted in host organization piloting individual loan products and altering several aspects of its existing group loan products.
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Streamlined and tightened up systems in the HR and internal controls
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Developed a new bank product, the Single Enterprise Loan, targeted at clients whose microbusinesses have successfully grown through Microfinance and now are moving to the small business level and good risks for larger loans
Adviser Testimonials
“Systems have been put in place and products have been developed that will now allow Finance Salone to grow exponentially, fend off its competitors, reward its staff more, and provide more client-focused products and services. The organization is now leaner and more efficient, and the staff are more motivated and generally work harder.”
-Gianni Brusati
Technical Advisor, Finance Salone, ARC/International, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
“At the operations level, Gianni has been very productive in helping to set up new branch offices and train the office staff, streamline and tighten up systems in the HR and internal controls, and developing a new bank product, the Single Enterprise Loan, targeted at clients whose microbusinesses have successfully grown through Microfinance and now are moving to the small business level and good risks for larger loans—all good accomplishments which his colleagues recognize.”
-William Dant
IIE Emerging Markets Development Advisers Program Director