INAFI Africa Trust conducts training of Trainers for Branch Managers

INAFI Africa recently conducted  training for trainers (TOT) for branch managers of member organizations. The first training was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia last July 12-14 and in Dakar, Senegal last August 16-18.

In total, 34 enthusiastic and dedicated branch managers attended the TOT course both in Dakar and Lusaka. The participants were particularly pleased with the training level especially the very resourceful facilitators who have vast experience in the field of Microfinance as practitioners. However, the participants preferred the training to have been at least five days instead of the three days.

The tool kit has been designed to provide MFI branch managers and operation staff with the relevant knowledge, skills and values on how best to support operations and other support staff in order to enhance their productivity, maintain high portfolio quality and lead to branch profitability and growth. This has been developed both as an orientation and in-service guide for branch managers of Member Microfinance Institutions affiliated to International Network of Alternative Institutions (INAFI) Africa.

The specific objectives of the training was to: provide branch managers with relevant skills and knowledge required to perform the general management of the branch and field offices; to enable branch managers play the crucial role of marketing of the institution existing and new products and services, to build their capacity in the area of risk management and to manage quality portfolio and growth through prudent portfolio management skills.

The tool kit was presented in a systematic format that outlined clear training process. Mrs. Rose Mwaniki, who also helped in developing the training module the training for the English speaking members, facilitated the training in Lusaka. Meanwhile the training for French speaking members was conducted and delivered in Dakar led by the main facilitator, Mr. Adama Thiam, who also helped in developing the French training module.

The training was largely based on a participatory training approach, which allowed the participants share experiences from their respective institutions. To further enhance participation of the entire team, the learning was conducted through small working groups. This enabled the participants discuss issues together and develop new skills and knowledge through teamwork.

INAFI has developed other modules/courses relevant to microfinance sector namely; Credit Officer Course, Financial Ratio Analysis and Interpretation Course, Strategic Business Planning Course, Governance and Leadership Course, Key Performance Indicators in Microinsurance. These courses are available upon request.

INAFI Africa wishes to thank all the organizations that showed interest and subsequently sent their staff for the training program. It is through emphasis of on continuous financial education that we anticipate improved productivity and performance of the staff as a result improving the Institution bottom-line.

ABOUT THE TRAINING

It is not without mentioning the branch managers of MFIs play a significant role in the success or failure of their respective institutions. They are in-charge of the overall supervision of staff within the branch; they manage operations and other important assets of MFI. In a sense, they are in-charge of the nerve center of the organization.

One of the key pillars of profitable and growing MFIs is the quality of supervision provided to the frontline staff. A stringent supervisory process does boost staff morale especially where the performance indicators are clearly articulated and understood across the institution.

The branch managers can only be able to provide relevant support to the field staff if they themselves are able to internalize and appropriately apply operations and institutional policies and procedures effectively. In other words, they must be well versed with their job requirements and continually be on top of things to be able to support those that they supervise. This is the main reason why INAFI considers this toolkit as an important contribution to both its Members’ human resources management and the sector in general.1

1 Source: B. Gray et al., “Can Financial Education Change Behavior?: Lessons from Bolivia and Sri Lanka,” Working Paper 4 (Microfinance Opportunities: Washington, D.C.: 2010).