Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund Chief Executive Officer Job Vacancy - 2015

Our client, the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a multi-donor funded financing vehicle that works to encourage private sector companies to compete for investment support for their new and innovative business ideas. 

AECF provides grants and interest free loans to businesses who wish to implement innovative and commercially viable projects that have a high impact on the target beneficiaries in rural areas of Africa. 

The AECF supports businesses working in agriculture, financial services, renewable energy and technologies for adapting to climate change. It also supports initiatives in media and information  services where they relate to these sectors.

 

The AECF started as a special partnership initiative of Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). 

Due to the growth and development of the AECF, it is being set up as autonomous legal entity to manage its own operations and to enhance its potential for growth. 

It is in this context that the AECF is seeking to recruit a highly motivated individual for the following position:

Chief Executive Officer

 
The purpose of this job will be to oversee the implementation of the AECF strategy and manage the day to day operations of the organisation. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be expected to undertake the following responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with donors and other investors to understand their needs and raise funds for investment by the AECF;


• Manage ongoing relationships; reporting to donors and other key stakeholders;


• Deliver an AECF investment program aligned with the objectives and priorities of the AECF Board including management of the Investment Committee and the Fund Manager;


• Manage the human and financial resources to deliver the strategic and operational plan of the AECF as approved by the Board;


• Keep the Board informed in a timely and focused manner of all significant issues that affect the performance and reputation of the AECF;


• Ensure that appropriate monitoring and knowledge management systems are in place to synthesize the learning of the AECF to inform future strategies and wider rural development; and


• Lead the process of establishing the AECF as an independent entity (recruit staff, establish operations processes and systems) and manage the smooth and efficient transition of the AECF out of AGRA to the new entity.

Key qualifications, competencies and experience
 

To be appointed to this role, the candidate must have at least 10 years’ experience in a senior leadership position in the development, agribusiness or financial sector.

They will also have experience of setting up a new organization. 

In addition, the suitable candidate must demonstrate the following;

• Passion for development and working with the private sector to tackle poverty in Africa;


• Deep understanding and experience of the challenges facing agribusiness in Africa;


• Familiarity with approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation;


• Strong stakeholder management and networking skills; and


• Good existing networks amongst donors and providers of capital to agribusiness in Africa.

Other factors
 

The successful candidate will be based in Nairobi with extensive travel around Africa (approximately 1 week per month). 

The candidate should be a fluent English speaker. 

Ability to speak French and Portuguese will be an added advantage.

In addition, attach a curriculum vitae that contains details of your qualifications, experience and positions held relevant to this role. 

Include your day and evening telephone numbers, email address, names and address of three referees. 

All applications must be submitted online.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for this position.