Head of Programme

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit and manage together with AECF’s operations in Nairobi a team of portfolio officers, ESG compliance staff and other support staff.
• Design and implement communication strategies together with the AECF’s communications team in Nairobi and local Sudanese partners that effectively inform the SME sector, government stakeholders and donors on the details of the programme, its implementation and, in due course, its results.
• Provide effective liaison with donors to ensure collaboration with other interventions in the SME development space in Sudan.
• Identify and engage with technical implementing partners including financial institutions and business development service providers to define, tender and implement support services for the effective implementation of the programme.
• Understand and effectively navigate the complex political and conflict environment to ensure that the programme can proceed without undue external influence.
• Supervise the preparation of applicants for the Investment Committee by the local Sudanese consultants, including the design of persuasive investment memos in English and supporting project sponsors to navigate the selection process.
• Oversee the transparent selection of grantees for the programme, ensuring that politically compromised persons are not included in funding.
• Ensure grantee compliance with all aspects of AECF’s funding programme, including ESG, together with the Sudanese consultants recruited for programme monitoring.

Suitable candidates should possess:

• A minimum of ten years of full-time work experience in the design and delivery of financing mechanisms for SMEs in the sub-Saharan African context, including in Sudan.
• A degree in International Development, Economics, Finance, Business, Mathematics, Communications or a related field.
• Experience working in private sector development and a deep understanding of the sector with a bias to agribusiness, renewable energy and climate adaptation and/or digital solutions, in Sudan.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Sudan SME sector.
• Possess comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Sudanese investment environment, including excellent appreciation of the political sensitivities and strategies to manage these.
• Possess strong grant or investment management competencies with experience in the design of investment memos, taking applicants through investment committees and managing large and complex grant or investment programmes.

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