CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME: Robert HICKSON                                                        EMAIL: Robert@MicrofinanceServices.com

OVERVIEW OF EXPERIENCE:

Robert Hickson has 23 years experience in development consulting with the last 15 years focusing specifically on microfinance. He has sound practical experience in project management, in the role of Team Leader and Project Director. Mr Hickson has undertaken both long and short-term assignments, involving large long-term microfinance projects.

An agriculturalist and economist by training, Mr Hickson has, become widely experienced in the fields of microfinance and microenterprise development. He has extensive experience in design, implementation and evaluation of microfinance programmes as well as in assisting governments and donors in policy development for the support of the microfinance sector. He has been involved in developing and using the CGAP microfinance training and consulting materials including the CGAP Institutional Appraisal Format and Business Planning Format. He is an experienced mentor and trainer. He has strong skills and experience in microfinance market research leading to the development of client-focussed products and cost-effective delivery systems. He also has strong skills and experience in the financial analysis of microfinance institutions.

Mr Hickson has a specific interest in the design of sustainable microfinance models adapted to the financial needs of micro-entrepreneurs, and which are capable of including the very poor and remote rural communities. Mr Hickson has worked in widely differing environments throughout Asia, the Pacific and Africa. He has worked for the ADB, the World Bank, AusAID, AfDB, Finnida, CGAP, DFID and a variety of international and local NGOs.

DATE OF BIRTH:                    4th October, 1961.

NATIONALITY:                       Australian

QUALIFICATIONS:                 M.Ag.Sc. (Agricultural Economics/Microfinance) University of Qld, 1991.

                                                B.V.Sc., University of Queensland, 1984.

LANGUAGES:                          English (native), French, Thai, Lao (fair), Portuguese, Bengali and Mandarin (basic) 

COUNTRIES OF

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lao PDR,

Malaysia, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

SPECIAL INTERESTS:

Ø       Development of innovative microfinance products and service delivery mechanisms

Ø       Microfinance institutional reviews and business-planning (using Microfin)

Ø       Market research for microfinance & new product development (MicroSave methodology)

Ø       Poverty focussed and remote-rural microfinance programme design and evaluation

Ø       Institutional Assessments and Financial Analysis (CGAP methodologies)

Ø       Microfinance Project Evaluation

CONSULTING EXPERIENCE :

2005

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – MOZAMBIQUE  – UNDP “Evaluation of Upstream Microfinance Project”

1 mth

Final evaluation of 2-year project designed to enhance capacity of the Central Bank and Min. Planning and Dev. to effectively regulate and supervise microfinance institutions in Mozambique.

2005

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – CHINA  – ADB “Rural Finance Reforms and Development of Microfinance Institutions”

4 mths - ongoing

Responsible for the conduct of market research to determine demand for microfinance services, training of PBOC, RCC and CBRC staff in microfinance ‘best-practice’, lead national microfinance study tour, drafting of tender documents for the licensing of the first private retail financial institution in China.

2005

MICROFINANCE TRAINING SPECIALIST – CHINA  – Citigroup “Market Research for Product Development”

1 mth

Provision of training to 5 MFIs and CICETE in market research, product development and product pilot testing.

2004

MICROFINANCE TRAINING SPECIALIST – BANGLADESH – DFID “FSP Joint Donor Project Design”

2 mth

Responsible for the development of microfinance sector capacity building component of large multi-donor microfinance support project.  This involved designing; a capacity building programme for local private sector training service providers, a demand-side subsidy (voucher) scheme and extensive monitoring and quality control.

2003-04

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST -BANGLADESH-  BURO Tangail “Extreme Poverty Programme Evaluation

2 mth

Market research, assessment of, and recommendations for BT’s pilot “extreme poverty” savings & credit programme.

2003/4

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – MOZAMBIQUE – EU “SME Market Research and Product Design”

2 mths

Market research and design of new financial products for small and microenterprises for the MFI AMODER.

2003

MICROFINANCE ANALYIST – MOZAMBIQUE – Min. Ag. &RD “Small Scale Irrigation Project Evaluation”

0.5 mth

Evaluation financial viability of small holder irrigation project.

2003

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – KENYA – WORLD BANK “Arid Lands Res. Mngt. Project Phase II”

2 mths

Design of remote rural microfinance & microenterprise programme incl. training needs assessment & design

1999-03

MICROFINANCE TRAINING & CONSULTING SPECIALIST – EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA – CGAP/DFID “AFCAP – Microfinance Capacity Building Programme in Africa”

3 years

Responsible for training, mentoring and coaching of African-based microfinance consultants and trainers while they provided technical assistance to MFIs operating in Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Approximately 30 assignments and studies mentored and coached covering; microfinance policy development, market research and product development for MFIs (including products for remote rural locations), MFI business planning (Microfin-based), financial analysis, MFI institutional appraisals, management information system (MIS), programme evaluations & design, MFI fraud and internal control diagnostics, impact assessment and performance rating of MFIs (both MicroRate & PlanetRate methodologies). The training of trainer programme utilises the high quality CGAP financial management and analysis courses and MicroSave Africa’s market research for new product development courses.

2001-04

MICROFINANCE PROJECT DIRECTOR - CHINA - AusAID “Chongqing Comp Poverty Alleviation Project

4 mths

Project Director for the Microfinance Programme and assisting GoPRC in development of microfinance policy.

1999

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – PACIFIC REGION – CAA - “Feasibility Study for Proposed Oxfam Bank”

1 month

Designed and supervised the implementation of this feasibility study in the Pacific Region.

1999

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – KENYA – DFID “Review of Six Microfinance Programmes in Kenya”

2 mths

Responsible for institutional analysis and evaluation of the microfinance delivery systems and financial products of 6 DFID supported MFIs in Kenya (K‑REP, KWFT, FAULU, WEDCO, COOP Bank Retail, COOP Bank Wholesale).

1999

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – CHINA AusAID “Guangxi Microfinance Feasibility Study”

2 mths

Feasibility study of microfinance component of a proposed $4 million microfinance programme in Guangxi province.

1999

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – MOZAMBIQUE AusAID “Country Programming Mission”

1 month

Review of AusAID country programme for Mozambique and development of AusAID’s next 4 year bilateral assistance. Specifically responsible for identifying opportunities and policy for AusAID to support private sector development and the microfinance sector. This involved the appraisal of NGO and multilateral programmes.

1999

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – AFRICAN REGION African Development Bank “Development of a Framework for Country Surveys for Microfinance”

1 month

Preparation of guidelines for surveying African countries for the potential to support and develop sustainable MFIs.

1998-2000

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST/PROJECT DIRECTOR - INDIA, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, the Philippines - AUSAID “Training in Microfinance for IMY Microfinance Programme

4 mths

Management of Training and capacity building for the Indira Mahila Yojana Microfinance programme. Responsible for supervision of team of trainer of trainers TOTs and technical support to the in-country training programme. The training involved a study tour and critical analysis of a variety of Asian microfinance programmes.

1998

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - ZAMBIA  - USAID “Institutional Review and Training Needs Assessment of the Microfinance Institution - Credit Management Services”

3 mths

Undertook institutional review of CMS programme performance and training needs assessment of staff and clients. In addition, responsible for providing on-site training/tutoring to branch and head office staff in programme management, portfolio analysis, management information systems (MIS) and monitoring and evaluation.

1998

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST/TEAM LEADER - MYANMAR - UNOPS “Mid-Term Evaluation of UNDP Microfinance Projects”

1 mth

Review of UN funded Microfinance activities in Myanmar. This included a review of programme management, portfolio analysis techniques, management information systems (MIS) and monitoring and evaluation system.

1998

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - BANGLADESH  - UNDP “Research Paper: Reaching Extreme Poverty; Financial Services for the Very Poor”

3 weeks

Study of innovations in which microfinance services have been adapted to the needs and conditions of extremely poor households. This study will form a chapter in a book to be produced by the UNDP-SUM titled “Private Finance for Human Development”. The paper was presented by the author at the Second Annual Seminar on New Development Finance in Frankfurt in September 1998 and published in the Small Enterprise Development Journal.

1998

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - PAPUA NEW GUINEA - UNDP “Liklik Dinau Institutional Review and Phase 2 Project Design”

4 weeks

Member of a team of microfinance / microenterprise specialists responsible for reviewing the Liklik Dinau MFI and design of Phase 2 of UNDP support to the PNG microfinance sector. The review focused upon design issues relating to targeting and sustainability, and examined closely past financial performance and projections, institutional capacity and staff training needs of MFI. The project design supported the development of a MFI policy and regulatory environment and support to existing and emerging MFIs and Apex organisations.

1997

MICROFINANCE TRAINER - AUSTRALIA - AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development) “AusAID’s in-service Microfinance Training Programme”

1 week

Preparation and presentation of materials for 2 training courses; “The Fundamental Principles of Microfinance” and “Analysis and Evaluation of Microfinance Programmes”. The first course provided a foundation for understanding the core elements that contribute to microfinance programme success. The second course was designed to aid AusAID staff in the analysis of microfinance project proposals with regard to institutional and financial sustainability.

1997-8

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – Australia, United Kingdom, Italy and USA – OXFAM INTERNATIONAL “Feasibility Study for an Oxfam Development Finance Institution”

8 weeks

Investigation of the feasibility of the establishment of a global facility capable of providing commercial finance and technical support to MFIs. This study reviewed the institutional capacity of the Oxfam group and their local partner organisations. It explored potential avenues of grant and commercial financing, developed an outline of the likely institutional and capital structure of the proposed entity and gave an indication of the financial and technical products which may be provided. Discussions were held with AusAID, ADB, World Bank, DFID and IFAD.

1997

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – PNG– AusAID “PNG Microfinance Sector Review”

4 weeks

Review of microfinance policy and institutions in PNG with particular reference to the social & financial performance of the Liklik Dinau/Abitore Trust microfinance programme in the Eastern Highlands of PNG. Assessment was made of the opportunities and constraints facing microfinance development in PNG. Detailed analysis was made of LLDAT’s financial performance, its achievements against objectives and the programme’s long-term sustainability.

1997

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST – AFGHANISTAN - ODA - “Afghanistan Rural Development Project”

4 weeks

Design of a savings and credit programme to assist Afghan villagers re-establish small and micro-enterprises based upon the use of a temporary note of exchange tied to the local price of wheat. Undertook a detailed TNA of project staff. The programme has been developed in a high inflation environment where commodity bartering has replaced currency as the medium for commodity exchange. The credit programme conforms to strict laws of Islamic banking.

1997

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST and TRAINER – LAO PDR. World Bank/Finnida “Forest Management and Conservation Project”

2 months

Development of microfinance schemes for use by villagers participating in the Forest Management and Conservation Project. These schemes are assisting the development of off-farm enterprise and are reducing village dependence upon the harvesting of timber and non-timber forest products. Undertook a training needs assessment of the APB and the Lao Women’s Union; prepared and delivered training in microfinance for these staff. This microfinance programme is noteworthy for its decentralised approach, which involves the encouragement of autonomous village level financial institutions, which operate as commercially sustainable enterprises run by village women.

1996-97

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - CHINA AusAID “Inner Mongolia Grasslands Project”

3 months

Responsible for the establishment of a microfinance facility for project beneficiaries to allow economic diversification through microenterprise development. This is intended to reduce the dependence upon pastoralism and thus reduce grazing pressure on the fragile grasslands in the project area.

1995 - 97

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST and TRAINER - CHINA AusAID “Qinghai Community Development Project”

6 months

Review of microfinance policy of the Agricultural Bank of China, RCCs and RCF. Responsible, subsequently, for the design, implementation and ongoing monitoring of the QCDP microfinance programme. This included the conduct of a training needs assessment for project staff and clients and provision of training of trainers courses. Training for staff focussed upon programme marketing and information dissemination, planning and budgeting, appraisal of loan proposals, portfolio analysis and the development of responsive management strategies. This microfinance scheme provides a range of innovations that allow much greater flexibility and usefulness of the service to its clients. The programme is designed to promote asset accumulation and entrepreneurship particularly among the poorest section of the community. A number of the innovations relate directly to the enhancement the financial sustainability of the programme such as contracting of village level financial intermediation responsibility to local women.

1996

MICROFINANCE TRAINING SPECIALIST - VIETNAM, PHILIPPINES AND BANGLADESH - AusAID - “Microfinance Training Programme”

1 month

Led a group of 6 officials from the Agricultural Bank of China through 10 microfinance projects in Asia to observe and analyse microfinance delivery mechanisms under differing social, political and economic environments. The importance of this role was to facilitate analysis by group members of how different schemes attempted to achieve their objectives of targeting and sustainability through manipulation of the credit and savings delivery mechanism (ie. loan terms and conditions such as loan size, eligibility criteria, maturities, interest rates, repayment schedules etc.).

1993 - 96

TEAM LEADER/MICROFINANCE TRAINING and MONITORING & EVALUATION SPECIALIST - BANGLADESH - ADB “Research and Development Project”

10 months

Responsible for leading a team of 6 consultants supporting a large ADB funded microfinance programme executed by the Ministry of Youth and Sport using a Grameen Bank model of credit delivery. The TA undertook extensive research in Bangladesh and developed innovative approaches to problems limiting the effectiveness of this model. Responsible for developing the programme’s MIS, capacity to gather and analyse data and to act upon these findings. Established an internal M&E system and undertook a detailed independent evaluation of the social and economic impact of the project (PBME).

1995

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - PAPUA NEW GUINEA - WORLD BANK “Agriculture Sector Review”.

1 month

Member of multi-disciplined team reviewing agriculture sector; research and extension institutions, industry corporations, microfinance institutions and NGOs. Particular focus was placed upon identifying means by which small-holders could better access support from these institutions. Specific responsibilities were to; evaluate the experience of microfinance in PNG, analyse constraints and identify opportunities for development of this sector in order to accelerate the impact of this tool for smallholder development.

1993 - 95

TEAM LEADER / INSTITUTIONAL AND RURAL CREDIT SPECIALIST - PAKISTAN ADB “Livestock Sector Development Project”.

18 months

Responsible for leading a team of 3 consultants on the Sindh component of the Livestock Sector Development Project. Responsible for the development of an agricultural extension system within the Department of Livestock. This involved assisting in policy development, training needs assessment, human resource development, identification of appropriate technologies and supervision of the preparation of extension material. The project established producer organisations (as a means of channelling extension inputs and for marketing of livestock production outputs, primarily milk) and credit and savings cooperatives designed to mobilise local capital resources for micro-entrepreneurs.

1994

AGRICULTURIST / MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - TIBET, CHINA AusAID, “Tibet Poverty Project Feasibility Study”.

1 month

Responsible for the design of microfinance, agricultural and environmental components of an AusAID funded poverty alleviation project. Key tasks were to consult local villagers and relevant officials in order to assess the viability of a community managed land rehabilitation programme. This programme involved re-vegetation of degraded lands and development of alternative income generating activities to allow reduced grazing of vulnerable ecological zones.

1989-93

MICROFINANCE SPECIALIST - AUSTRALIA - International Development Support Services.

 

In-house consultant providing technical and administrative support to IDSS managed development projects in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Philippines and Sri Lanka.

1992

TEAM LEADER / NGO SPECIALIST - BANGLADESH - ADB “Role and Impact of NGOs”

3 mths

Responsible for leading a team of consultants contracted by the ADB to conduct a comparative assessment of the social and economic impact of a number of Government and NGO projects (particularly microfinance) in Bangladesh. Particular attention was given to the distinguishing features between the Grameen Bank's "minimalist" credit and savings model and other more "comprehensive" NGO models. Review of the performance of NGOs and their capacity to engage in ADB financed projects. Developed specific recommendations on potential modalities for collaboration.

1992

AGRICULTURIST - INDONESIA - IDSS “Project Preparation for Upland Tree Crops Project”

1 month

Preparation and design of ADB funded uplands tea development project proposal, Java & Kalamantan.

1991

AGRICULTURIST / SOCIAL ANALYST - CHINA - AusAID “China Australian Mine waste Management Research Project”

1 month

Appraisal of economic and technical feasibility (agricultural) of a China Australia Mine Waste Management Research programme and its impacts upon local communities, in Anhui and Shaanxi provinces. This project aims to develop environmentally safe methods of mine waste disposal and rehabilitate existing tailings dams to safe agriculture use. Responsible for social and environmental impact assessment, financial budget preparation and benefit analysis.

1991

AGRICULTURALIST / ECONOMIST - ASIAN REGION - WORLD BANK “Study of Agricultural Development Projects for Small Land holders”

1 month

Preparation for the Economic Development Institute / World Bank a series of case studies of Government livestock and farming projects in various parts of Asia in which there was significant NGO and community involvement. The studies focused upon the effectiveness of microfinance delivery and agricultural extension strategies of both GOs and NGOs and the scope of their integration in collaborative ventures. The case studies covered India and Thailand in particular, and were discussed with various large NGOs, the Grameen Bank and the Ministry of Livestock in Bangladesh. Discussions focused primarily on the issue of sustainability of government projects and the potential of promoting a community-based orientation to such projects, with NGOs serving in the role of community mobilisers.

1989-90

AGRICULTURALIST / ECONOMIST - THAILAND - GRM Int. / ESARN DAIRIES CO. “Farming and Dairy Development Project”

18 months

Member of a team of 4 international consultants to manage and develop an intensive farming and large scale dairy development project in Nong Khai Province, North East Thailand; Responsible for training project staff in fodder / farming production, dairy nutrition, animal husbandry and reproduction. Also responsible for; initial feasibility study and budget, preparation of 10 year development plan and cash flow projection, risk analysis and reduction strategies, development of linear programmed least cost feeding strategies and strategies for profit optimisation.

1989

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST - CHINA - OXFAM / CAA “Livestock and Community Development Project”

3 months

Feasibility study of the Yunnan Livestock Development Project, Xundian County, Yunnan Province. Responsible for socio-economic feasibility study, budget development and project design including medium term cashflow projections.

1988

RANGELAND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST / AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST – KENYA/ SUDAN - OXFAM UK&I “Rangeland Cattle and Agriculture Development Project”

6 mths

Responsible for feasibility study, design and initial implementation of a Rangeland Cattle and Agriculture Development Project, South Sudan, Africa for very poor farmers and pastoralists affected by the civil war.

1987

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST - INDIA - OXFAM “Various Rural Development Projects”

12 months

Team Leader of multi-discipline team providing design and management advice to a series of Dairy, Sheep and Goat Management Projects, South and Western India.

1985

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST - INDIA - OXFAM “Small Farmer Development”

2 mths

Planning and preliminary studies for Small Farmer Development Project at Anand Niketan, Gujarat, financed by CAA / OXFAM. Responsible for both social as well as technical assessments leading up to project design.

1985

LIVESTOCK SPECIALIST - MALAYSIA - Government of Malaysia

1 month

Contracted by GRM Int. to supervise livestock exports.

1982

DAIRY SPECIALIST - INDIA - OXFAM / CAA “Dairy and Pasture Development Project”

1 month

Planning and design of dairy and pasture development, Vbrindaban, Uttar Pradesh.

PUBLICATIONS

  1. Hickson, Robert, Susan Johnson et al (2001) The Managed ASCA Model:  Innovation in Kenya’s Microfinance Industry, MicroSave Africa. Also Journal of Small Enterprise Development, ITDG, London.
  2. Hickson, Robert, (2001) Financial services for the very poor – thinking outside the box, Journal of Small Enterprise Development, ITDG, London.
  3. Hickson, Robert, (1996) Impact evaluation - TRDEP microfinance programme, Bangladesh Research and Development Technical Assistance, Asian Development Bank. Manila, ADB.
  4. Rutherford, Stuart and Robert Hickson, (1994), Alternate microcredit delivery systems, Bangladesh Research and Development Technical Assistance, Asian Development Bank, Manila, ADB.

I, the undersigned certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, this biodata correctly describes my qualifications and experience. I understand any wilful mis­statement described herein may lead to my disqualification or dismissal, if employed.