About Us
AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organization supporting innovative agribusiness and renewable energy enterprises to reduce rural poverty, promote resilient communities, and create jobs.
We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding. We are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.
Over 17 years, we have supported 536 businesses in 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, created over 35,000 direct jobs, and leveraged US$840 million in matching funds.
The Role
The Program Operations Assistant will work with all program staff to support strategic program implementation by providing day-to-day support in the consolidation and coordination of the program activities. The role-holder is also responsible for supporting program transition activities that lead to the successful launch of programs and supporting the competition and implementation activities of different programs. This role is central to the efficient and timely delivery of program commitments at AECF, and the role holder is required to be agile, innovative, and provide a speedy turnaround for processes.
This role will report to the Head of Program Operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Work in the competition’s office to support the inception and launch of programs. This will include, but will not be limited to, planning & coordinating physical and virtual program launches and management of the online competitions platform.
- Support the automation of critical program processes in systems like Project Management System (PMIS), Salesforce, etc. This will include participating in design workshops, participating in the system testing, and the subsequent roll-out activities.
- Support the Program Operations Officer in planning and coordinating program management committees like the Internal Investments Committee (IIRC) and the Portfolio Management Committee (PMC), and other program forums as required
- Support in developing and generating weekly dashboards with key program performance data.
- Support data analysis and development of data visualization dashboards for key program activities.
- Contribute to the review of the portfolio management manual, program handbook, and any other supporting documents.
- Contribute to undertaking desktop research that informs program design and development of funding proposals.
- Support the implementation activities of the programs, including marking, due diligence, ESG review, and preparation of investment memos.
- Support performance monitoring activities as may be required.
Suitable candidates should:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, agriculture, renewable energy, or a related discipline relevant to AECF’s areas of focus.
- Have at least three (3) years of experience, preferably in the development sector, agribusiness, energy, environment, and/or climate sectors.
- Possess knowledge of MS Project or any project and task management tool (trello.com, Outlook tasks).
- Be computer proficient in: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet search skills, PowerPoint, and have the ability to learn new applications quickly.
- Possess strong planning, organizational, and administrative skills, able to develop clear action plans with defined goals, allocate appropriate resources, and ensure successful execution.
- Be able to demonstrate a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, thoroughness, and an ability to maintain a timely and efficient workflow.
- Be fluent in English. Proficiency in additional languages, e.g., French, is an added advantage.
How to apply
The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
AECF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the role, register and apply on: https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org . To be considered, your application must be received by: 18th June 2025.
For more information, please visit our careers page on www.aecfafrica.org
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
