Community Development Associate

Location: Houston, TX

Salary: $20.06 per hour 

About Grameen America:

Grameen America is a nonprofit microfinance organization dedicated to helping low-income women entrepreneurs build businesses to enable upward financial mobility. We envision an inclusive society in which all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, race or income, have access to fair and affordable financial services. We provide affordable capital, credit- and asset-building, education and peer support to enable our members to boost their business income, create jobs and transform communities.

Founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus in 2008, Grameen America is now the fastest growing nonprofit microfinance organization in the U.S., having achieved tremendous milestones in its first 16 years of operations, investing in 220,000 low-income women entrepreneurs while demonstrating measurable impact. Our members have repaid their loans at a rate of over 99% and have become economic drivers in their communities. For more information, please visit grameenamerica.org

In 2021, Grameen America launched the Elevate initiative to accelerate the organization’s commitment to racial equity. The Elevate initiative aims to meaningfully address systemic barriers and funding gaps that women in financially underserved Black communities face. Elevate branches are currently located in Harlem, NY, Newark, NJ, Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA, Houston, TX and Birmingham, AL with plans to expand nationally and reach 80,000 Black women entrepreneurs over the next decade. 

On- Site Work Requirements

It is mandatory to be physically present in the branch with a minimum of three days up to five days, depending on the branch’s requirements. This may also include and is not limited to being in-community on the ground as well. Requirements to be present in the branch are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the organization. Based on GAI business priorities and staffing need we reserve the right to reassign you to another branch (within a 30–40-mile radius) if GAI determines such reassignment is needed.

Role Overview:

The Community Development Associate (CDA) is an entry-level position responsible for increasing the branch’s membership base through various community outreach activities, building new relationships within the community, and maintaining existing ones. The CDA will also lead and manage all member-oriented meetings, which include loan disbursements, repayments and verifications. The CDA will need to be a strong leader with the ability to lead and build cohesive member groups, facilitate weekly meetings and training, navigate various technology platforms, and manage data entry. Key skills for this position include professionalism, attention to detail, time management, responsiveness, and having the ability to multitask and manage a flexible schedule. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Outreach & Recruitment

• Spread awareness of the Grameen America lending program through community outreach activities and organizing to attract and recruit new members.
• Grow member base to achieve designated membership growth targets.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all member searches and other recruiting activities.
• Follow all company standards pertaining to recruitment activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. We’re a collaborative team, and sometimes that means stepping outside your usual scope to help with projects or priorities that advance our mission. These “other duties as assigned” are part of how we adapt, innovate, and support one another. As such, additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned as needed to meet team and organizational goals.

Relationship Management

• Set and manage member expectations regarding program participation (regular meeting attendance and loan repayment).
• Build meaningful relationships with members.
• Provide quality customer service support when dealing with members to ensure member satisfaction.
• Facilitate regular group meetings (virtually and in person); model high engagement behaviors such as starting and finishing meetings on time, using camera when virtual, treating all participants with respect.
• Manage effective communication with members including via phone, text, email and in person engagement.
• Provide trainings pertaining to a variety of topics relating to Business and professional development, support the “whole” entrepreneur. 
• Resolve member concerns, issues, and questions in a timely and professional manner.
• Treating all participants with respect and bringing a high level of energy to every interaction with participants. 

Financial Management

• Monitor members’ loan amount and related activities, including compliance with loan criteria, disbursements, collection of repayments, and reconciling daily payments. 
• Maintain accurate records for all transactions within member center and branch (such as proper cash matching and posting, compliance with required notifications, etc.).
• Accurately input and track members loan payments and other relevant data in appropriate systems.
• Responsible for collection and recovery of all due loan repayments in their respective loan portfolio, including working with the members to develop a plan to address and resolve any financial challenges. 

Skills and Qualifications:

• Proficiency in English required.
• Excellent customer service skills with strong written and communication skills. 
• High level of integrity, professionalism, punctuality, discipline, and attention to detail. 
• Basic logical reasoning and numeric skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team-player mentality.  
• Openness to receiving positive and negative feedback.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate availability of members, center meeting facilitation, info. sessions etc. (Including sometimes adjusting hours to early mornings/late evenings and attendance at weekend events) 

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of High School diploma or equivalency preferred, or two years of relevant work experience required
• 2 years of customer service experience
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel a plus.
• Knowledge and heavy usage required in using computer, laptop, iPad, smartphone, and other similar electronic devices.
• Depending on location, valid driver’s license is required. 

What We Offer You:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Paid Holidays, vacation and sick time 
• 401K retirement savings plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Wellness platform with 2 free coaching sessions a month
• Opportunity for advancement
• And more!

Grameen America is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) committed to diversity and inclusion in its workplace. Grameen America employment decisions are based on job requirements and individual skills and qualifications without regard to the applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Grameen America, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.

Visa sponsorship is not provided.

Must be able to legally work in the U.S.