Opportunities to Excel
The Alliance for a Green
Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a partnership that works with governments,
donors, NGOs, the private sector, and African farmers to significantly and
sustainably improve the productivity and income of resource-poor farmers in
Africa.
AGRA aims to achieve these
goals by: supporting and building capability of farmers and enterprises across
the agricultural value chain; being a thought-leader on African agriculture by
collecting, packaging, and disseminating knowledge; and creating strong
partnerships with public, private, and donor actors to drive change within the
sector.
AGRA is headquartered in
Nairobi, Kenya, and has an office in Accra, Ghana.
The Africa Enterprise
Challenge Fund (AECF) is a US$205m private sector fund, backed by some of the
biggest names in development finance and hosted by the Alliance for a Green
Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Our aim is to encourage
private sector companies to compete for investment support for their new and
innovative business ideas.
The AECF is a special
partnership initiative of AGRA that supports AGRA's mission.
The Board of AGRA provides
the governance structure for the AECF and is responsible to the AECF's
donors.
However, in practice, the
AECF operates as an independent fund reporting to its own Investment Committee
which in turn reports to a Governing Council made up of its donor funders and
ultimately AGRA's Board.
The AECF is open to
proposals from any country in the world as long as the project implementation
will be in the specified country. Multi-country and regional projects are also
eligible. We operate from three regional hubs (Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg and
Harare).
AGRA is seeking a highly
competent and experienced individual for the position of AECF Program Officer who will enable the AECF to
strengthen its oversight and management of a rapidly expanding portfolio as
well as the operations by the Fund Manager.
Reporting directly to the
Executive Manager (EM), the officer will liaise with the Fund Manager’s team
and be responsible for the monitoring of technical and financial information
regarding the portfolio of AECF investments in agribusiness, rural financial
services and renewable energy / adaptation to climate change.
Key Responsibilities
General program management
- Analysis
of investment climate in designated AECF countries on a quarterly basis,
identifying threats and opportunities for the Fund;
- Manage
day-to-day operations and activities with partners such as Infodev, SEDF
and Norfund and actively maintain relations with the ANDE Network, of
which the AECF is a member;
- Prepare
AC and AGRA Board proposals for the EM and professionalize the lay-out and
presentation, possibly in cooperation with AGRA’s communication department
(graphics, etc.);
- Manage
the contracts with local NGO’s on TA to indigenous/women led enterprises
and assess for the EM the quality and quantity of the proposals the AECF
receives;
- Conduct
analytical work to constantly assess the market position of a challenge
fund mechanism vis à vis other impact investors that are operational or
being developed;
- Liaise
with AGRA’s programs on seeds, soils, markets, support to farmers
organizations and policy and identify opportunities for closer cooperation
and information sharing;
- Assist
the EM in preparing for international events and forums in terms of
presentations, publications and media relations.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
- Assist
the EM in preparing half-yearly progress reports with research and
analysis, formulating policy issues and recommendations and assist in
improving the general lay-out;
- In
cooperation with AGRA’s communications department, work on an annual
report before 1st of April of each calendar year;
- Prepare
and budget evaluation and learning activities as described in the
comprehensive M,L&E plan, including management of relations with
external partners such as CTA/CDI on research for case studies;
- On
a regular basis liaise with AGRA’s M&E unit, the Evaluation Management
Unit as well as the FM’s M&E staff, including AusAid interns and
partners such as Triple Line Consulting and identify opportunities for
storytelling and PR in newsletters, on the AGRA and AECF websites and
other channels;
- When
required, take part in field missions and reviews, organized either by
AGRA or the AECF donors.
Personal traits
- Strong
analytical ability to design and evaluate policy options for promoting
pro-poor growth
- Ability
to work effectively within multicultural and interdisciplinary
environments
- Excellent
communication skills, particularly writing skills, and ability to work
closely with a diverse group of donors and partners
- Ability
to engage in communications and dialogue with government officials and
donors
- Strong
problem-solving skills and a motivation to improve policies and practices
systemically.
- Fluency
in English and working knowledge of French will be an advantage
Professional requirements
- A
minimum of 5 years of working experience at multidisciplinary and academic
level, either in a private or a public organization
- Graduate
degree in social sciences such as economics, public administration or
political sciences
- Knowledge
of the agricultural sector in Africa, the role of the private sector and
finance
For more information on these positions, applicants can
visit www.agra.org and www.aecfafrica.org
An attractive remuneration
package commensurate with the responsibilities will be negotiated with the
successful candidate.
If you believe you can
clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for this role,
please submit your application with a detailed CV, stating your current
position, nationality, remuneration, e-mail and telephone contacts and quoting
the reference number (Ref.: AECF/IRS/001) on the application letter and email
subject line.
To be considered, your application must be received by 16 July, 2013 addressed to:
The Human Resources Office
AGRA
P.O Box 66773 - 00800
Westlands, Nairobi Kenya
Email: recruit@agra.org
