Muhammad Junaid Email & Phone Number

Ottawa, On, Ca

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan / Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The Enterprise and Innovation Programme (EIP) is funded by the UKAid (FCDO) and implemented by DAI Global to promote a robust, diversified and inclusive private sector in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The programme increases innovation and growth in start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) through the establishment of Business and Innovation Centres (BICs) and the improvement of the business advisory infrastructure. The EIP has three main components:• To establish business innovation centres in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and provide business advice to enterprises with the potential and ambition for growth • To strengthen the business advisory infrastructure and thereby increase the sustainability of these services after the programme has ended • To provide business advice to MSMEs, including technical and softer skills that make successful entrepreneurs.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan / Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The Policy Innovation Facility (PIF), a programme funded by the UKAid (FCDO) and implemented by DAI Global, supports the governments of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to help create a business enabling environment, to strengthen and diversify the private sectors, and to transform their economies, improve governance, and build stability. To achieve this ambition, PIF provides:• Demand-driven, short-term Technical Assistance (TA) to Tajik and Kyrgyz government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), providing them with expert advice or knowledge products that offer analysis and recommendations on how to address specific policy challenges and issues. • Capacity building of the selected MDA officials to improve their policymaking and policy implementation skills.

Lahore, Pakistan

Led the Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP)—a USAID-funded $20 million, seven-year effort to help create a competitive business environment in the agriculture, livestock and food security sectors to promote private sector-led growth and investment. PEEP interventions included: • With PEEP’s technical assistance, Punjab became the first province in Pakistan to introduce a pro-private sector Agriculture Policy with a focus on improving competitiveness, engaging women and youth in agriculture and livestock value chains, and increasing sustainable production and profitability in the agriculture sector. • PEEP collaborated with key government, non-government, and private sector organizations to develop award-winning market systems such as “Women Empowerment in South Punjab through Investment in Rural Economy (WEinSPIRE)” and “Women in Network of Dairy Sector (WINDS)” that supported the small farmers, women, and youth to engage profitably in the horticulture, livestock and dairy sectors. • Provided technical assistance and financial grants to the Government of Punjab and the private sector to support the development of an “Olive valley” in the province, and to develop olive related value chains and market system. • In collaboration with the World Food Programme, assisted the Punjab Food Department to modernize the wheat storage system through Public-Private Partnerships. • Supported the Government of Punjab, selected banks, and the private sector to create a warehouse receipt finance system in the province. • Developed the capacity of the various agri-business associations, chambers of commerce and industry, and research institutes. Established the Center for Applied Policy Research in Livestock (CAPRIL) in collaboration with a leading veterinary university in Pakistan. As a result of the project interventions, the agriculture sector was able to spur more than $200 million in private sector investments and help create about 20,000 new jobs in six years

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Participated in the design and led the inception phase of the BFP-B--a GBP 29 million DFID-funded project to increase access to finance for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Bangladesh. The project design envisaged four major outcomes: 1) improved policy and regulatory environment for MSE finance; 2) Effective financial infrastructure available to financial services providers; 3) Increased access to appropriate, market-based, business services for MSEs; and 4) Increased product, delivery channel, and business model innovation by banks and MFIs. The project established a policy forum, a credit information bureau for MFIs, a challenge fund, and a credit guarantee program to achieve its objectives.

Pakistan

Worked on several successful new business proposals.

Baghdad, Iraq

Led the Tijara’s Microfinance component to build the Microfinance industry and increase access to finance for MSMEs in Iraq. The project helped establish 12 microfinance institutions, a credit guarantee fund, and a wholesale lending fund to promote financial inclusion in post-war Iraq. With help of the project, the Iraqi microfinance industry had disbursed more than a billion dollars in loans during the project lifetime creating more than 500,000 jobs. Major achievements included: Business Enabling Environment• Led the stakeholders’ effort to develop the MSME-Finance Companies Ordinance decreed by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to facilitate the establishment of regulated NBFIs. • Assisted the Government of Iraq’s NGO Directorate to develop regulations to support NGO MFIs, and supported the capacity development of NGO Directorate in microfinance best practices. • Established the State of Iraq’s Microfinance Industry as an annual industry publication analyzing market dynamics, performance, and future potential towards building an inclusive financial sector. MSME Industry Support Infrastructure • Directed the training and capacity building activities for board members, management, and staff of Iraqi banks and microfinance institutions. • Created a cadre of the training providers through developing TOT programs. The project trained more than 2000 financial sector professionals to effectively serve Iraqi MSMEs. • Facilitated the creation and development of the Iraqi Microfinance Network. Capacity Development and Grants to MSME Finance Institutions • Directed Tijara’s Grants program to support Iraqi microfinance institutions.• Developed access to finance programs for Iraqi youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women-owned businesses, and MSMEs. • Helped the partner financial institutions to design new products (including Islamic Microfinance), flexible collateral options, and delivery channels to work with MSMEs.

Undp Regional Service Centre For Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka

 Provided regional leadership in financial inclusion grants program and technical support to UNCDF and UNDP program countries in Asia including India, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Bhutan.  Led the donor coordination to support governments, central banks, donors, and other key stakeholders in Asia to establish national strategies, policies, and interventions.  Technical oversight and quality assurance of portfolio performance, including through peer reviews and evaluations, and performance-based grants management.  Collaborated with key partners in research and development of innovative, cutting-edge strategies and approaches to identify key constraints and opportunities for the promotion of inclusive financial sectors in the region.

As Chief of Party for a multi-million dollar USAID-funded technical assistance project, led a consortium of four international development firms (ACDI/VOCA, Pragma Corp., QED Group and MBA Enterprise Corps) to develop financial sector in Azerbaijan through macro and meso level interventions. The project’s interventions substantially enhanced the MSMEs’ access to finance and contributed in Azerbaijan’s improved ranking in “Doing Business Report” 2008. These initiatives included:A. Macro level Initiatives to Reform Legal and Policy EnvironmentClosely working with the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and other Government of Azerbaijan agencies, facilitated the best-practice legislation for secured transactions, non-bank financial institutions, credit unions, credit bureaus, and mortgage markets through a consultative process resulting in a broad-based consensus on the drafts. B. Meso Level Initiatives to Build Financial Infrastructure• Delivered TA to Central Bank's credit information registry to make it a sustainable business unit, and to include microfinance institutions in the credit information system. • Prepared a feasibility study for an electronic filing office for moveable property.• Assisted Azerbaijan Mortgage Fund in its formation stage in legal documentation, strategic planning, financial management and human resource development. • Led the project’s efforts to increase technical and management capacity of financial sector professionals through various training initiatives. • Accounting Certification Program: The project introduced Certified International Professional Accountant (CIPA)—the first accounting certification program in Azerbaijan. • Assisted the Azerbaijan Microfinance Associations to help it become a leading advocacy organizations. • Facilitated the financial sector’s access to lending capital by creating linkages with international investors, rating agencies and guarantee funds.

Designed and implemented a highly successful microfinance project funded by USAID and SDC to develop microfinance sector in Kyrgyzstan. The project resulted in more than 1000% growth in the microfinance portfolio within four years. The specific achievements included:• Assisted the National Bank of Kyrgyz Republic (NBKR) to develop an enabling legal and regulatory framework for microfinance institutions in Kyrgyzstan—the first in any central Asian country. • Participated in the steering committee to establish the first private sector credit bureau for banks and MFIs in Kyrgyzstan.• Led the initiative to establish the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Kyrgyzstan.• Provided TA for creation and sustainable development of Bai Tushum Financial Fund (BTFF)—the first locally incorporated rural microfinance institution in Kyrgyzstan, which obtained an overall “A+” rating within three years of its inception from an international microfinance rating agency. BTFF is in the process of transforming into a microfinance bank with substantial capital investments from the international investors. Led the BTFF as its first CEO, developed strategic business plan and directed its successful implementation. Recruited and coached the local CEO and executive management.Assisted to establish USAID-funded “Frontiers”, the first wholesale microfinance institution in Central Asia with its headquarters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Worked as its founder CEO. Replicating the BTFF model, assisted to establish a USAID-funded rural/microfinance institutions in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Georgia.

Lilongwe, Malawi

Malawi Rural Finance Company was established in 1994 as part of the World Bank funded Rural Financial Services Project and supported by IFAD. It has become one of the largest providers of rural and urban microfinance in Sub-Saharan Africa, serving about 200,000 customers.) Technical Advisor/ Head of Credit Division (The position was jointly funded by the World Bank and IFAD).Achievements included:• Designed strategy for the MRFC’s MSME lending operations;• Led the process of product development, including lending to small and medium enterprises and a pilot project for savings mobilization. • Developed and conducted training programs for managers, loan officers and clients. • Introduced the performance-based incentive system for loan officers.• Held the line responsibility for MRFC credit division. Mentored and trained the local credit manager to take up the position.

Mba, Leadership, Business Strategy, Finance

Postgraduate Diploma, Islamic Banking And Insurance

Postgraduate Diploma, Banking

Mpa, Public Policy

B.Com, Accounting, Banking