Region Head - Business Development at African Guarantee Fund (AGF)

POSITION SUMMARY   

The Region Head will support AGF in the Implementation of its business development strategies and plans in the assigned region and will be complementing the Group Head of Business Development to meet the department’s targets:

• The Region Head manages the sales process, including sourcing new opportunities, conceiving and presenting unique solutions to meet client needs, and involving the appropriate team members to scope the feasibility and negotiate pricing to bring the opportunity to a close.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with key contacts and business partners within the assigned Region.
• Coordinates all prospect meetings and final presentations; supports request-for-proposal activities and any other sales activities related to the pipeline.
• Meets other sales metrics as required, such as forecasting, prospect calling, and client visits. Track all sales-related activities and generate sales activity reports. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Group Head of Business Development and Management to formulate a strategy for the Region.
• Develop promotion strategies in the Region as assigned, including targeting potential PFIs and promoting AGF's products and services proactively.
• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality opportunities through anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with PFIs to develop specific guarantee opportunities.
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions with a strong focus on credit and
• asset quality (include processing mandates, due diligence, negotiating term sheets and other documentation, syndications and board approval).
• Take responsibility for supervision of the Region’s guarantee portfolio.
• Monitor portfolio performance and recommend follow up and proactive support to enhance the utilization while maintaining low claim level.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in finance, economics or other related areas; accreditation as a CFA or CPA is considered a plus.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in the financial sector, with evidence of growing expertise in banking and non-banking financial institutions and finance related disciplines in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Bilingual – fluent in English and French is a MUST.
• Thorough understanding of banking, financial institutions and related industry knowledge, and a keen interest in business development.
• Excellent Financial Analysis and Credit skills.
• Strong skills in evaluation of risk and ability to anticipate short and long term implications of decisions.
• Ability to make sound decisions and commit to decisions.
• Hold self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners.
• Ability to systematically share with others good practice and learning from lessons from across AGF, clients, and partners.
• Considered an expert in the subject area and is sought out by colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others.
• Skilled in collaboration across boundaries and broadly, ability to bring differing ideas into the forefront.

ELIGIBILITY

The position is open to bilingual candidates of any African country.