Head of Business Affairs – Africa
Introduction
The Wood Family Trust (WFT) is a Scottish registered charity
established by UK industrialist Sir Ian Wood and his family with a key
objective to improve livelihoods by stimulating viable market opportunities
that will in turn create jobs and generate wealth among the rural poor.
As a private donor, WFT is able to engage in a flexible manner
with a portfolio of strategic interventions along the value chain from
production to end market. This includes technical assistance, loan guarantees,
match-funding, as well as debt/equity investments.
To date WFT has launched sector programs in the tea industry in
both Rwanda and Tanzania, and has recently closed on two debt/equity
investments in the tea sector in which WFT’s not-for-profit investment vehicle
will a take time-bound majority stake in partnership with the smallholder
farmers.
Tea will be the medium term focus for WFT, with likelihood for
eventual expansion into other sectors.
General Position Description
WFT is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial individual to be
based in the Nairobi office.
He/she will play an integral role within WFT’s operations,
working closely with the Director of Africa and Country Directors to support
existing projects under management with a major focus, initially, on the new
tea factory acquisitions, oversee regional financial processes, and over time
develop WFT’s emerging impact investment portfolio throughout East Africa, whereby
WFTA will pursue similar arrangements in partnership with the smallholder
farmers.
The Head of Business Affairs will have a commercial accounting
and/or investment finance background, and will provide monitoring and financial
management oversight of current investments, assist the team to understand the
financial positions of prospective investees, and support the structuring of
prospective deals with due diligence analysis and cash flow forecasting.
Specific Responsibilities Include
Day to Day Responsibilities:
- Support
Oversight of Existing Investments
- Monitor
Performance of Existing Portfolio
- Provide
Financial Backstopping throughout Africa Portfolio
The position will also provide support to emerging acquisition
opportunities as they arise from the wider East African Team including:
- Conduct
Due Diligence and Project Feasibility
- Provide
Transaction Support
- Research
and Source New Investment Opportunities
Qualifications
- Chartered
Accountant with Bachelor’s degree required;
- Preferably
MBA or similar advance degree in a related field;
- Minimum
of 5 years’ experience in commercial accounting, investment banking, asset
management, private equity and/or deal oriented financial analysis;
- Strong
financial modelling, valuation, and audit skills; proficiency with
spreadsheets;
- Passion
for economic development and improving livelihoods through commercially
minded interventions; enthusiasm for venture philanthropy and impact
investing;
- Familiarity
with evaluation and monitoring of investments and portfolios, including
social impact as well as financial returns;
- Private
sector/business experience in East Africa, preferably in Tea or an
agribusiness-related field;
- Strong
oral and written communication skills in English; command of Kiswahili
preferred;
- Ability
to travel extensively throughout the region;
- Self-motivated
professional with impeccable integrity; and
- Strong
intercultural skills.
- Ability
to think strategically and work diplomatically within a broader team
environment.
Mode of Application:
Applicants are required to submit their CV by Monday, October 15
with contact information for at least two referees as well as a covering letter
demonstrating how they meet the required experience and capabilities.
Please submit these via email to: Helen.Emukule@woodgroup.com but do not include your certificates at this stage.