Consulting Services for Microfinance Institutions: TA for Plan China, China

Origin of funding: Plan China

CONTEXT :
Plan China is one of the largest child-focused humanitarian NGOs in the world. Plan opened in 1999 a Microcredit Program in China under its “Livelihood Domain” in partnership with Shaanxi Women's federation, to enhance families’ and communities’ abilities to develop activities of animal breeding and crafts while offering skills-training to women and marketing awareness training.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:
The aim of this technical assistance program to Plan China is to:
- Enhance the existing microfinance program of Plan China (Xi’an County) and evaluate the feasibility to open a new microcredit program (Yulin and Pucheng Counties).
- Increase Plan’s managerial capacity in order to help it to support microcredit operations
- Organise training sessions for the staff in the field

PLANET FINANCE'S TASKS IN THE PROJECT:
PlaNet Finance is responsible for the delivery of a technical assistance package :
1. Assessment of the financial management systems (including bookkeeping, accounting system, and portfolio tracking forms, sheets, and manuals).
2. Definition of a detailed Business Plan for the institution and training on business planning
3. Revision of Credit Methodologies and Process guidelines, and diversification of products, with relevant training provided to credit agents
4. Revision of Human Resource Management guidelines and incentive systems
5. Definition of Internal Control process, and setting up of an internal control unit
6. Provision of Risk Management guidelines
7. Development of Training Curriculum