Programme Manager – West Africa 246 views2 applications

Job Title: Programme Manager – West Africa

Position Level: JG 4

Reports to: Director, Investments Portfolio

Department: Portfolio

Start Date: Immediately

Location: Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. Travel required.

The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a nonprofit institution supporting early and growth-stage businesses – through the provision of patient capital – to innovate, create jobs, leverage investments and markets to create resilience and sustainable incomes for rural poor and marginalised communities in Africa.

AECF’s strategy is focused on agribusiness/agriculture and renewable energy sectors with increased support to climate technologies deepened focus on gender, youth, and employment, aimed at attaining the institution’s vision of ‘A Prosperous and Enterprising Rural Africa’.

Since 2008, AECF has invested in 268 businesses across sub-Sahara Africa focusing on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy and Climate Technologies. As of 2018, we have impacted more than 17 million lives and created over 12,000 jobs and leveraged over US$ 560 million in matching funds from the private sector.

AECF is currently expanding its programs in Africa and our new strategy is looking to unlock further and differently the power of the private sector to impact rural and marginalized communities. We are therefore seeking an individual willing to be part of this journey and push us to be bold in the setting and implementation of our strategic objectives.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya with offices in Cote d’ Ivoire and Tanzania.

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OVERALL PURPOSE:

The Programme Manager – West Africa is responsible for the overall execution of assigned programme activities in the region, ensuring that the team executes activities and implementation is on track, performance targets are being met, progress reporting is timely and accurate, and resources are utilized appropriately. The PM will have to work closely with the Portfolio Leads located in the AECF head office in Kenya, to ensure alignment of activities and expectations, with frequent reporting and engagement. As a leader of a team, the role holder must have excellent technical skill and subject matter expertise and serve as a coach to their team. They must ensure overall employee satisfaction and productivity, to deliver strategic and operational excellence.**

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to Director, Investment Portfolio, the Programme Manager – West Africa will:

· Support the development of and oversee the execution of portfolio management plans as they relate to programmatic activities in West Africa, under the direction of the relevant Program Leads.

· Support the West Africa Portfolio Team in carrying out their respective portfolio duties, ensuring high quality and timely service delivery.

· Work with the Director, Investments Portfolio to ensure proper resourcing of staff in the region.

· Support on-going and new AECF competitions in West Africa, executing competition activities, including marketing open windows, evaluating concept notes and business plans, conducting due diligence, supporting business plan development at the applicant stage and contracting selected companies.

· Carry out on-going portfolio management of selected companies, monitoring project implementation to achieve program goals. This will include reviewing investee reports and conducting regular site visits.

· With support from the AECF Impact Team, develop results measurements plans together with each Investee Company, supporting monitoring and evaluation activities at the investee level during implementation, to ensure quality impact reporting.

· Contribute to the identification of investees who require technical assistance and arrange to deliver services based on the AECF TA and Learning service delivery framework.

· Manage the flow of grants, including disbursements and repayable, as well as program expenditure, against the program budget.**

· Participate in assessing fiduciary risk, regularly updating risk registers.**

· Ensure program compliance with all AECF and implementing partner policies and procedures, local laws and regulations that govern AECF.

• Provide regional representation for AECF as and when needed, participating in meetings and events that create visibility and a positive image of AECF.

· Contribute to the establishment of appropriate linkages with the relevant state/government departments, implementing partners, donors, private sector bodies, potential project partners, and civil society.

· Contribute to the wider learning agenda of AECF (in liaison with Knowledge & Insight team), to further the reputation and capability positioning of the Fund, have a wider systemic impact on the relevant market systems in Africa, and promote relevant advocacy efforts.

· Participate in the development of AECF periodic progress and impact reports.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

· Graduate/Master’s qualification in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Development Studies or other relevant fields of study.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

· Must possess excellent organizational and project management skills.

· A good understanding of the economic markets within the renewable energy sector in sub-Saharan Africa.

· An understanding of the operations of donors and international development organizations.

· Excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to prepare proposals, reports and concept papers to a high level of proficiency.

· Fluency in French and English is essential

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

· A minimum of six (6) years of experience in one or more of the following areas: finance, agriculture, agribusiness, SME finance, rural financial services and/or renewable energy and adaptation to combat climate change.

· Minimum of six (6) years of experience in financial and grants management, with the ability to review, analyse and interpret budgets, financial management systems; financial statements (including income and expenditure statements and cash reconciliation statements) and audit reports.

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law