Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund- AECF Careers

• We seek a Finance Manager who will support sound management decisions related to the overallorganization’s financial health. The role holder will develop institutional and program budgets based on AECF’s strategy and a regularly updated cost structure, conduct a continuous financial sustainability analysis, develop management and board financial reports, and ensure compliance with AECF’s and donor policies and regulations.

The role will report to the Head of Finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial planning includes preparing institutional and program budgets, cash flow forecasts, and implementing appropriate budgetary controls.
• Preparation of timely, accurate, and relevant management and board financial reports and any other management information that may be required occasionally.
• Develop and regularly update program-specific budget and financial reporting templates for AECF and investees.
• Ensure all program Audits are conducted on time and audit findings are resolved adequately.
• Perform financial forecasting, reporting, and tracking of the relevant metrics.
• Analyse financial data and create financial models based on AECF’s focus areas for decision support.
• Support the continuous analysis of trends and forecasts, review AECF’s cost structure, and recommend any needed adjustments for optimization.
• Convene monthly program financial review meetings and oversee implementation of agreed actions.
• Support the Head of Finance in strengthening and ensuring adherence to the internal control systems.

Required Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will exhibit the following qualities:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Statistics, Commerce, or Finance from a recognized university.
• Professional qualification in Finance (CPA, ACCA) or related fields is mandatory.
• Membership to a Professional body.
• Demonstrable experience of at least (8) years managing the finances of a $20 million international non-profit organization with a mix of funding sources, preferably bilateral donors.
• Competence in financial analysis and forecasting.
• Experience with bilateral donors such as FCDO, GAC and SIDA.
• Strong proficiency in advanced Excel features.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in additional languages – French is preferred.

• The incumbent will support the financial and administrative aspects of the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund Programme (KKCF). He/ she will be responsible for providing timely and efficient accounting and financial support services specifically to this program while ensuring accuracy and completeness in the payment processes, data management, maintaining high financial management and control standards as well as providing administrative support to the program team.
• The Finance & Administration Officer will serve as the finance liaison to AECF’s donors and will represent AECF at any donor and program partner meetings and ensure consolidation of the periodic award budgets, financial reports, strong tracking of program expenditures, continual analysis of program cash flow and ensure compliance with AECF’s and donor policies.
• We seek to recruit a Finance and Administration Officer who will support us in enhancing efficiency and financial controls in the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund Programme (KKCF).

Key responsibilities:

Financial Management

• Support in ensuring the accuracy of postings that align to the Programme design and budgets.
• Provide overall financial oversight to KKCF at all stages including timely preparation of budgets and financial reports.
• Maintain primary relationship and correspondence with donors on all financial requests and queries.
• Develop and update Program-specific budget and financial reporting templates for AECF and investees, as requested by the donor.
• Assist the management accounting team and Head of Finance to prepare accurate and reasonable institutional budgets and budget narratives, consistent with the institutional strategy, and adhere to donor and AECF policies.
• Provide periodic budget monitoring reports to the program teams to guide in decision making with the ultimate aim of meeting donor expectations.
• Track, report and consolidate monthly program expenses, burn rates and cash received from donors/funders.
• Prepare consolidated programme financial reports based on the contract obligation schedules.
• Maintain and monitor a consolidated investees financial tracking tool for the entire program.
• Ensure program audits are conducted on time and audit findings resolved adequately.

Administration:

• Assist in the maintenance of an inventory database and ensure insurance cover is in force at all times.
• Receive all inventory items from suppliers, verify such deliveries against approved orders and ensure such items are safely stored.
• Maintain relationships and liaise with service providers for timely and quality services at all times.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in commerce, Accounting or Finance specialization or similar qualifications.
• Must be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or hold an equivalent professional accounting qualification e.g., ACCA.
• Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in program accounting and financial management in not-for-profit sector and/or development finance institution Experience working with IFC/World Bank funded programs desirable.
• Must be computer proficient and familiar with a range of software applications including MS Excel, MS Word.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Dynamic ERP software.
• Possess excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to prepare financial reports to a high level of proficiency.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with a cross-cultural team.
• Possess excellent written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of any local language (Kiswahili, Juba Arabic, Somali, Turkana) is an asset.

The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a development institution that finances early and growth-stage businesses to innovate, create jobs, and leverage investments and markets to create resilience and sustainable incomes in rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

Since 2008, we have invested over US$ 220 million in over 420 businesses across sub-Sahara Africa focusing on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, and Climate-smart Technologies. We have impacted more than 28 million lives, created over 25,000 jobs, and leveraged over US$ 757 million in matching funds to our portfolio companies.

We’re going through unprecedented growth at the moment - new funds, new portfolio companies, new geographies, and an energized team to help get us there. Key to the forward momentum is increasing our investment readiness and facilitation services, a key market gap for our portfolio companies and other SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa.

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

The role holder is responsible for assisting AECF to unlock capital for SMEs in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors. The incumbent will primarily work in the Investments Advisory Services Unit, assisting with evaluating potential investee companies for concessionary loans, grants, or debt opportunities.

He/ she will work with a Senior Investment Analyst, Portfolio Officers, and Legal Associate to develop financial models, conduct in-depth due diligence, prepare investment memos, and present investment opportunities to the Investment Committee for funding requests. They will also assist existing AECF investees with investment facilitation and investment readiness activities, in preparation for follow-on fundraising from commercial sources once the investees are ready to graduate from concessionary financing.

The role will report to Manager – Advisory Services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain complex financial models of new portfolio/investee companies to asses their financial viability, and potential investment risks across our portfolios/programmes.
• Reviewing and improving financial models from consultants and investees.
• Provide both ad-hoc and proactive support to existing portfolio companies, if and as necessary this may include, but is not limited to: identifying market opportunities, working closely with specific teams, and helping formulate expansion or marketing strategies.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver investment readiness content at investor forums.
• Support engagement with new investors suitable for meeting our portfolio companies' capital needs.
• Identification and screening of investment opportunities within the renewable energy and agri- business sectors in Sub Saharan Africa.
• Due diligence and KYC activities on all investment opportunities that meet AECF’s investment criteria.
• Preparing investment memoranda and internal concessional loans and grants for internal stakeholders, including the Investment Committee.
• Assist in the drafting and negotiation of all necessary transaction documents, including term sheets, funding documentation, and security documents.
• Monitoring of all portfolio investments’ adherence to information and financial covenants.

Suitable candidate should possess:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, statistics, or other relevant field of study.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in private equity, structured debt, management consulting, or similar environments within investment banks, investment funds, investment advisors, or lending institutions with proven experience in financial modeling.
• Professional certifications such as ACCA, CFA, etc, or a financial modeling certification.
• Alignment with AECF’s mission to unlock capital for small and growing businesses aimed at reducing poverty, food insecurity, and energy dependence with a passion for SMEs and a good understanding of sub-Saharan Africa.
• Possess excellent written and spoken English with strong presentation and communication skills. Working knowledge of French is an added advantage.
• Logical thinker with the ability to summarize complex concepts for different kinds of audiences.
• Team player, with a solutions-driven approach to workflows.

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: 23rd October 2023.

For more information, please visit our careers page at www.aecfafrica.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

1. About AECF

AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) transforms lives by providing investment funding and technical assistance to commercially viable businesses that improve the lives of rural communities. It mobilizes donor funding to support early and growth-stage businesses in agriculture and renewable and clean energy sectors, with a focus on improving incomes and employment for rural and marginalized groups. It is a non-profit organization, with its headquarters in Nairobi and operational centres in Somalia, Ethiopia, Dar-es-Salaam, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Since our launch in 2008 at the World Economic Forum, AECF has built the resilience of rural and marginalized communities by catalysing innovative private sector business models with patient capital and growth support services across Sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Energy and Adaptation to Climate Change (REACT SSA) programme.

REACT SSA is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and implemented by AECF since 2017 targeting eight countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The program aims at facilitating market development for renewable energy and climate technologies by supporting the private sector in mitigating market barriers through matching grants and technical assistance (TA). As at December 2022, the program had reached 84 companies (about 14% women-owned) 306,592 households, created 2,254 jobs and avoided 521,075 (TCO2E). The program focuses on five investment portfolios (solar home systems/PAYG; micro-grids; clean cooking; micro-energy, asset financing and carbon markets; and productive uses of energy and irrigation pumps).

3. Rationale for this consultancy

AECF has over the past years invested significantly in its REACT initiative, which supports the private sector to promote greater access to renewable energy technologies among rural communities, including women. In 2018, AECF conducted a gender study to identify the extent to which the AECF portfolio in REACT effectively includes women. The gender analysis found that without AECF’s firm emphasis on gender reporting by the investees, it is likely that the renewable energy programme would otherwise remain completely gender-blind in its execution. Women’s roles are limited to more support-based and less empowering back-office roles compared to men who hold potentially empowering roles.

The gender study recommended major shifts in the understanding of the need to include women in energy planning, technologies, and renewable energy value chains. This included considering the whole-of-the investment cycle gender capacity strengthening for renewable enterprises to particularly ensure gender awareness and mainstreaming. The study further recommended provision of comprehensive and simplified gender reference document replete with key performance indicators for gender monitoring, for use by REACT investees. Women mentoring and coaching were recommended to address gender gaps in STEM and energy sectors. Routine collection of gender disaggregated data on beneficiary access and use of renewable energy products would boost knowledge and learning in the program. The study also recommended Policy Dialogues to influence its partners towards giving greater programmatic attention to the enablers of women’s economic empowerment.

Based on these recommendations and other learnings, AECF has made progress to address some of the challenges established both at the institutional and investee level. Some of these interventions include the launch of a Gender Lens Investing (GLI) strategy in 2018, review of the portfolio manual to include gender integration monitoring, review of reporting frameworks to include capturing disaggregated data on project socio-economic impact of the portfolio to men and women. Other interventions have included policy advocacy at national levels, launch of women mentorship programs and offering technical assistance with capacity building tools. This exercise hence provides an opportunity to review the progress made on women integration in the renewable energy sector under the REACT program.

4. Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to share the program's narrative of gender transformation and demonstrate its influence on individuals in rural and marginalized communities. This will be accomplished through the creation of digital stories in the form of compelling videos, photos, and text within the investment portfolio. The aim is to effectively portray the significant accomplishments made by 1 Company in the portfolio from Kenya. Highlight the obstacles faced in integrating gender perspectives, extract valuable lessons learned, provide recommendations from the company involved, and capture captivating digital narratives that capture the essence of the investment portfolio. This assignment contributes to the expanding knowledge base of GLI (Gender Leadership and Innovation) and offers practical suggestions for leadership and resource mobilization.

Scope of Work

This assignment will shed light on the role of women in accessing energy in Kenya. Despite facing unique challenges, women have been actively involved in efforts to increase energy access in the country. By examining their experiences, contributions, and the barriers they have overcome, we aim to highlight the importance of gender inclusion in the context of energy access and showcase the transformative impact it has on women within fragile context.

To achieve the envisaged objective, the consultant under the overall supervision of AECF will:

• Conduct an in-depth literature review of recent AECF reports, gender analysis reports, and documentation related to the selected companies in focus.
• Develop data collection tools to address any information gaps identified during the literature review.
• Conduct field visits to the selected companies to validate the data gathered from the literature review, prepare success or failure stories, and analyze the relevant information and develop compelling digital stories for the companies.
• Prepare a draft publication featuring the assessment findings and the digital stories using a mix of text, visuals, and multimedia content.
• Conduct validation meeting with respective companies to ensure the draft publication reflects the company's experiences and perspectives.
• Develop a set of practical recommendations and guidelines for integrating gender considerations in REACT SSA Programming in similar contexts.
• Prepare a final comprehensive publication that incorporates the validated findings, company stories, achievements, lessons learned, recommendations, and conclusions.
• Prepare a comprehensive presentation for disseminating the assessment findings, recommendations and the process undertaken to the company, AECF and another stakeholders/partner.

5. Specific Deliverables and Expected output.

The consultant will deliver to AECF:

Deliverable

Description

Deadline

Inception Report

Submit an inception report that demonstrates understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and detailed work plan for the assessment and digital story development*.*

2nd October 2023

Approved data collection tools/assessment framework

Data collection tools, digital stories phototype anticipated and assessment framework to gather relevant information within the selected four companies for the study, approved by AECF

9th October, 2023

Field Reports

Field reports that summarize the findings, including data analysis, key insights, preliminary findings.

30th October, 2023

Draft Publication

Prepare a draft publication featuring the assessment findings and the digital stories using a mix of text, visuals, and multimedia content.

13th Nov, 2023

Validation Report

Edit and refine the one story for each company based on feedback from the companies and stakeholders.

24thth Nov, 2023

Final Publication in the form of digital stories

Incorporate feedback and finalize compelling digital stories that can be hosted online in the form of videos, photos and text highlighting the impact of gender inclusion initiatives within each company.

30th Nov, 2023

REACT SSA Program Recommendations

Summarize the key findings and offer practical actionable steps and guidelines to AECF on integrating gender considerations in fragile contexts.

4th Dec, 2023

Presentation

Deliver a comprehensive presentation of the assessment findings and recommendations

8th Dec, 2023

NB: The dates will be adjusted based on the actual contracting date.

1. Duration

The assignment will be conducted within a period of three months from the date of signing the contract.

1. Reporting

The consultant will report to the AECF Gender team.

1. Qualifications and experience

The consultant /firm should have.

• At least 5 years of writing experience in digital story writing in a creative way for diverse audience.
• A consultancy firm with a team of experts in technical writing, storytelling, photography, and copy editing.
• Professional experience in investigative and human impact story writing, preferably in the field of renewable energy, gender, and development.
• Experience and deep understanding of gender lens investing principles, strategies, and best practices and be knowledgeable about the intersection of gender and renewable energy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts in a compelling and engaging manner.
• Possess strong research and analytical skills to gather relevant information, conduct interviews, and extract meaningful insights from data. They should be able to identify key milestones, challenges, and lessons learned from the selected company.
• A comprehensive understanding of gender issues, particularly in rural and marginalized communities with familiarity with the gender dynamics, challenges, and opportunities within these contexts.
• Ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts and effectively engage with businesses from different backgrounds. Given the diverse communities and contexts involved, the consultant should possess cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with people from different backgrounds. This will facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and understanding of local perspectives.
• Strong understanding of renewable energy technologies, policies, and programs, particularly in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. Familiarity with the current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the renewable energy sector and the on communities and their potential to address gender inequalities.
• Prior experience in documenting similar stories or working on gender-focused initiatives. This demonstrates their ability to handle the complexities of the assignment and deliver high-quality results.
• Ability to manage timelines, prioritize tasks and ensure deliverables are met within the agreed scope.

1. Evaluation criteria

An evaluation committee will be formed by AECF which will include employees. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. Applicants should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated. In deciding the final selection of qualified applicant, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 80% based on the evaluation criteria below. Only the financial proposal of those applicants who qualify technically will be reviewed. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 20% and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.

NO.

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT

Weighted Award

1. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

80

An understanding of the terms of reference

Demonstrate understanding of the assignment and expected outcomes.

10

Demonstrated understanding of developing digital stories

10

Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on the assignment

Soundness and feasibility of the proposed technical approach and methodology that provide comprehensive findings and analysis to document company stories, achievements, lessons learned, recommendations, and conclusions.

20

Realistic and well-structured timeline, clear identification of deliverables and milestones, and coherence with the intended programme goals.

10

Qualification and Experience

Qualification and experience of the consultant/team and evidence of relevant certification

10

Demonstrated experience and relevant services are undertaken by the applicant in past engagements with evidence links to previous work done / completion certificate

10

All the required registration and certification document and at least 3 signed reference letters of similar work done.

10

1. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: Detailed showing level of effort of the team, Clarity, relevance, and reality to market value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax, reimbursable, and travel where applicable).

20

Total Score

100

1. Proposal Submission

Interested companies/individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted as separate documents.
• Sample of past work: applicants are requested to submit a sample of three previous projects or links to the projects to demonstrate the experiences required by this Terms of Reference
• As per the requirements in the Evaluation Criteria

1. Pricing

AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees as well as ensure VAT, at 16%, is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regards to provisions of Kenya tax legislation when developing their proposals.

How to apply

1. Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Interested consultancy are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal to [email protected] by 29th September,2023, 5pm (EAT).
• All questions should be directed to the procurement email by 21st September 2023
• The subject of the email should be Consultancy for documenting Gender Adoption in Energy Access in private companies-KENYA. The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals that are submitted with a different subject or responding to questions that did not meet the deadline as indicated.

1. Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

NB: The AECF does not charge an application fee for participation in the tender process and has not appointed any agents or intermediaries to facilitate applications. Applicants are advised to reach out directly to the AECF PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT*.*

For more information, please visit our website as per the link.

https://www.aecfafrica.org/careers/request-for-proposal-terms-of-reference-consultancy-for-documenting-gender-adoption-in-energy-access-in-private-sector-companies-kenya-september-2023/

The role will be responsible for actively managing the Local Enterprise Development (LED) Window projects and will report to the Programme Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct due diligence on prospective investee companies.
• Prepare investment memorandums and supporting documentation to be presented to the internal Investment Review Committee.
• Ensure that defined transactional requirements recorded in the documentation are executed accordingly and further monitor the portfolio and report development results internally and to the donor.
• Monitor and track financial and impact performance of investee companies assuring a healthy portfolio.
• Engage investees on a regular basis and serve as an active risk/growth investment partner to the companies.
• Prepare and deliver reports on financial performance and development impact objectives for internal purposes and for inclusion in reports to the donors and stakeholders.
• Working with the AECF Impact Team, develop results measurement plans with each investee, and support monitoring and evaluation activities at the investee level during implementation, to ensure quality impact reporting.
• Ensure program compliance with all AECF and implementing partner policies and procedures, local laws, and regulations that govern AECF.
• Contribute to the building of AECF’s knowledge base for best practices and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination.
• 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.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to support investees implement their planned activities, the M&Eand reporting systems.

The Candidate

The suitable candidate should be/have:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in economics, development finance, development studies, business or commerce, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in end-to-end project management, business advisory, enterprise development, and private sector development, including scoping and design, resourcing, risk management, and quality assurance.
• Experience working in project design, implementation, and management, working with WSMEs.
• Extensive experience in markets and private sector engagement with systems targeting women.
• Excellent business judgment, analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues, present creative, practical solutions, and make and commit to sound decisions, anticipating short-term and long-term implications.
• Demonstrated strong written, presentation, and communications skills in English & Swahili and the ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailored for different audiences.
• An understanding of donor operations and international development organizations.
• Be willing to relocate to Kakuma.

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses to innovate, create jobs and leverage investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

AECF’s goal is to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprise and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities. We provide patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments. To supplement finance, we also offer advisory services, investment support, and knowledge and insights.

AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting over 400 enterprises, impacting over 30 million lives.

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

The role holder is expected to provide safe and timely driving services to transport passengers and/or goods. He/she will safely operate vehicles, always observe the Kenyan Highway Code and the organization’s policies on driving, help ensure operational effectiveness in support of high-quality programming. The incumbent will ensure the safety and security of all passengers, pedestrians, other drivers and vehicles in town and on the field.

The role will report to Human Resources and Administration Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Transport staff to their official work destinations, handle official office pick-ups, and deliver documents to partners.
• Plan ahead to meet anticipated travel requirements and make all arrangements for ensuring efficient services (fuelling, pre-travel checks, required travel documents, required equipment, spare parts, and tools, vehicle cleaning, persons traveling for packing instructions and timings).
• Ensure the logbook is maintained in the vehicle detailing trips, fuel, and service bookings daily.
• Always ensure the safety of the vehicle and maintain the cleanliness of the assigned vehicle.
• Monitor repairs and maintenance needs of the vehicle assigned and report such needs and other concerns, incidents or accidents, or defects of the vehicle to the supervisor.
• Ensure all procedures are adhered to as far as safety, security, vehicle maintenance, and carrying of unauthorized passengers or goods are concerned.
• Ensure all necessary documentations e.g., licenses, insurance, inspection, and others for the vehicle are always valid, and advise the supervisor about renewals of vehicle documents before they expire.
• Responsible for fuel requisition for the vehicle and for keying in all fuel used for the day and analyzing the consumption on a daily basis by recording starting and closing mileages.
• Ensure that the steps required by rules and regulations are taken in case of an accident.
• Be able to deal effectively and tactfully with officials and visitors.
• Report immediately any accidents and/or route changes due to security, bad weather, or road condition.
• Any other office administrative duties as may be assigned from time to time by the manager.

Suitable candidates should possess:

• Diploma Holder.
• Valid B-C-E (Clean driving License) and certificate of good conduct.
• 5 years of long-distance and off-road driving experience.
• Defensive driving skills and first aid skills are an added advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Good communication skills with fluency in English and Swahili.
• Strong knowledge of driving rules and regulations, chauffeur protocol and courtesies, knowledge of local roads and routes.

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: 2nd June 2023

For more information, please visit our careers page on www.aecfafrica.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Key Responsibilities

• Review for fit for purpose and if necessary, revise data collection and analytical systems and tools currently deployed in both the Portfolio Management and Impact Measurement departments.
• Assist with the design of measurement frameworks for impact evaluations of AECF's programmes specifically for quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Support the collection of impact data from AECF's programme teams, partner organizations, and stakeholders, providing support for timely, accurate and consistent reporting.
• Conduct data quality checks, validation, and triangulation to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data.
• Analyse and visualize data and produce critical insights that can easily inform multiple audiences across the institution via storytelling media and platforms, strengthening evidence to inspire storytelling efforts and cultivate relationships with key partners.
• Support experimentation around data collection and analysis through new methodologies and tools.
• Support the implementation of the Managing for Impact strategy and accompanying systems and tools to identify and maximize the depth and breadth of impact on the lives of people with low incomes from investments made by AECF.
• Support externally contracted partners in the design and delivery of research.
• Analyse and interpret value-adding data trends to help understand portfolio performance over time.

Suitable candidates should:

• Possess a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics, statistics or social science master's with a substantial focus on data analysis.
• Possess excellent communication and writing skills, with a keen ability to synthesize and present complex data in a simple, compelling, meaningful way (the ability to produce beautiful and top-notch data visualization is a plus).
• Possess at least two years’ experience in data analysis,
• Possess experience working in international development and a deep understanding of the sector with a bias toward agribusiness, renewable energy and climate adaptation in Africa experience in using web analytics software and survey tools is a plus.
• Be proficient in writing in the English language (French and Portuguese are AECF’s other operational languages).

About US

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses to innovate, create jobs and leverage investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa. AECF’s goal is to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprise and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities. We provide patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments. To supplement finance, we also offer advisory services, investment support, and knowledge and insights.

AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting over 400 enterprises, impacting over 30 million lives.

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

The Head of Portfolio Operations will be responsible for implementing and streamlining processes, policies and systems around delivery of AECF’s portfolio of programs and investment services. The incumbent will be accountable for the design of internal framework around processes and rhythm for portfolio and investments advisory delivery – from program inception, competitions (open call for applications), to due diligence, contracting and investee reporting. The role holder will work alongside the portfolio and investments advisory teams to design and onboard approved programs/investments. He/She will be the main point of contact for portfolio performance metrics and business partner with the portfolio, operations, and investments advisory teams for the effective execution and delivery of AECF programs and investment services.

The role will report to Director of Programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fully establish a Portfolio Operations Office (PMO) and lead the development and adoption of the common set of processes, standards, and templates for AECF’s programs.
• Manage the effective delivery of AECF’s competitions (open call, due diligence, investments review and decisioning, and contracting) taking lead as the middle office and ensuring complete documents are maintained.
• Ensure there are robust resource plans that consider capability and capacity requirements for current and upcoming programs.
• Coordinate operational start-up teams for new programs or projects.
• Set up structures for monitoring of internal program delivery metrics, for all stages of portfolio management.
• Maintain live portfolio metrics across the different AECF mandates – competitions, portfolio management, investment, advisory and fund administration.
• Work closely with Program Managers and Compliance team to track agreed milestones, budget variances to determine need for budget realignments.

Suitable Candidate should

• Hold a master’s degree or equivalent in business, finance, economics, sustainable development, or related field. Project Management qualifications e.g. PRINCE2 will be an added advantage.
• Possess at least ten (10) years of experience in program/project management, operational excellence or portfolio performance in a debt fund, financial institution or development institution providing capital to SMEs.
• Possess solid experience in project management, from designing, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Have experience managing donor-funded programs/projects targeted in the private sector.
• Possess the ability to develop effective strategies based on analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality and creating tangible solutions.
• Be an excellent and visionary leader with great interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, impeccable integrity and good judgment.
• Be able to demonstrate a track record in stakeholder management – effectively partnering with the executive team, functional, program/investment leads and donors/investors.
• Possess a high degree of initiative and energy, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork and attention to detail. 

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: 16th May 2023.

For more information, please visit our careers page on www.aecfafrica.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About US

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses to innovate, create jobs and leverage investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

AECF’s goal is to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprise and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities. We provide patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments. To supplement finance, we also offer advisory services, investment support, and knowledge and insights.

AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting over 400 enterprises, impacting over 30 million lives.

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

The Investment Officer will support the portfolio team with pre-investment analysis of potential companies – driving analysis of potential investments to assess financial and impact viability as well as the growth prospects of companies during due diligence.

On post-investment, the Investment Officer will work with the portfolio team to identify the needs of investees towards investment readiness and provide this support as well as provide investment facilitation services, leading investor search, deal structuring, and investor negotiations towards increasing access to commercial funding by catalyzing additional capital for portfolio companies.

In addition, they will be responsible for country and sector research and analysis, assisting in developing operations for new investment products, and providing support with deal origination, due diligence, investment structuring and negotiation, portfolio management, and portfolio reporting.

The role will report to Director Investments Advisory Services.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

Financial and Impact Analysis

• Analyzing company accounts, financial projections, and impact potential and position these in the investment memorandum for investment consideration.
• Provide updates on financial markets, country, and sector activities to help position potential investees' viability and potential in local and global markets.
• Creating financial models that enhance the return on investment of projects/businesses and financial planning.
• Preparation of financial documents for presentation to the internal investment review committee as well as the investment committee.

Deal Structuring, Negotiations, and Execution

• Sourcing and origination of investments and carrying out the initial investment appraisal of potential AECF portfolio companies towards a healthy portfolio.
• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities for investment products.
• Conduct detailed due diligence on prospective investee companies and develop the requisite investment memorandum for investment decisions.
• Structure complex investments (comprising both debt and equity) according to understanding and assessment of client and country risks. Negotiate terms with clients, internal and external stakeholders, and partners. Prepare client/partner presentations and support their decision-making at key transaction stages.
• Lead transaction team through the investment process, actively handling key work and directing and coordinating work of other team members from across multiple departments toward closing investment deals.
• Take full responsibility and accountability for transaction-related decisions and relationships, to execute transaction documentation, and disburse investment capital.
• Manage a portfolio of companies to achieve the objectives of the investment and play a lead role in portfolio management processes, monitoring, and institutional investor reporting processes.

Investment Readiness and Facilitation

• Conducting technical assistance and investment readiness assessments for portfolio companies to identify support areas toward building an investor-ready pipeline.
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to portfolio companies, find solutions to specific sector challenges, and target impact.
• Facilitating the investment readiness program for selected portfolio companies, either independently or working with identified consultants, to prepare companies for investment through a rigorous program.
• Execution of investment deals for portfolio companies, working with portfolio companies in all aspects of the transaction process including valuations, preparing and reviewing of documents, negotiation, and management of advisors through to deal close.
• Cultivate strong relations with funders and relevant investors for AECF portfolio companies.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of customer relationship management systems for investors, lenders, grantee providers, and other partners.
• Report on the AECF Investment Readiness and Facilitation as required by internal and external stakeholders.

Insights and Knowledge Sharing

• Build a system/technique of deriving knowledge and understanding of investors' appetite relevant to AECF's portfolio, building relationships, and educating them about AECF portfolio and investment opportunities.
• Share expertise as a subject matter expert, providing advice, peer review, and contribution to knowledge products and program design across the AECF to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial and Impact Analysis.
• Deal Structuring, Negotiations, and Execution.
• Investment Readiness and Facilitation.
• Insights and Knowledge Sharing.

Suitable candidates should possess:

• A Bachelors Degree in business or commerce. A master’s degree in business or finance will be an added advantage.
• A CFA level certification or at an advanced stage of completion.
• At least five years of experience in the field of financial analysis, investment analysis, management consulting, corporate finance, private equity, or venture debt with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information. Knowledge and experience in global financial markets including expertise in emerging markets.
• Experience in identifying, originating and qualifying new business opportunities, developing and executing results-driven client engagements.
• Advanced financial, credit and risk evaluation skills, with demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity).
• Demonstrated strong written, presentation, and communications skills in English and ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailored to different audiences.
• Excellent business judgment and problem-solving skills to identify issues, present creative, practical solutions, and make and commit to sound decisions, anticipating short and long-term implications.
• Working knowledge of French will be 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: 13th April 2023.

For more information, please visit our careers page on www.aecfafrica.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.