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
DATE OF BIRTH:
NATIONALITY: Australian
QUALIFICATIONS: M.Ag.Sc.
(Agricultural Economics/Microfinance)
B.V.Sc.,
LANGUAGES: English (native),
French, Thai, Lao (fair), Portuguese, Bengali and Mandarin (basic)
COUNTRIES OF WORK EXPERIENCE: |
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 –
|
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 –
|
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 –
|
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 –
|
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 |
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
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.