Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV)

Job Purpose

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), you will provide strategic leadership for the company.  Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with KCV management team, you will establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies that are aimed at attaining growth, operational efficiency and the desired social, environmental and economic returns. Our investment thesis will provide a good foundation for the achievement of this.

Key Responsibilities

You will be looked upon by the Board and the staff of KCV as the developer of solutions to business challenges and as such, you will be charged with:

• Providing leadership and management guidance in the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes aimed at delivering KCV’s mission and the attainment/surpass the capital, profitability, cash flow and business goals and objectives;
• Developing and executing a fundraising strategy to ensure that the fund grows in value from the current USD 4 million;
• Collaborating with the management team in the development and implementation of plans for operational infrastructure, systems and processes designed to accommodate the growth objectives of the company;
• Creating, motivating and leading a high-performance management team (not currently in place). You will provide mentoring as a cornerstone to the career development program and ensure that the organizations core values are put into practice;
• Managing the image of the company, which will include but not limited to engaging with and successfully managing relationships with the Board, Investment Committee, investors and other stakeholders, you will act as the lead “relationship officer” through direct contact with every client, partner, investor and donor.
• Fostering a success-oriented, accountable environment within the company.

Job Qualifications

You will be an inherent leader with a proven record of managing high performing teams at a strategic level.  Of particular importance to us is your commitment, drive and self-motivation, as well as a passion for ‘clean tech’ and for improving livelihoods.  If you like challenges, building and growing a pioneering fund will be yours.

In addition, you will have the following:

• A proven entrepreneurial mind-set/approach and enterprise development skills;
• Experience with strategy development, implementation and project management;
• A strong network in the local and international entrepreneurial finance community including funding agencies, investors and the donor world, as well as the ability to cultivate opportunities with co and follow-on investors;
• Experience of building effective relationships with decision makers (CEO’s and Directors);
• Significant local knowledge of the Kenyan early-stage investing and entrepreneurial space and experience of working with entrepreneurs, negotiating with them, mentoring and coaching them on how to grow businesses;
• Experience with or ability to develop, adapt and/or improve the investment model, and to select investments with solid growth potential;
• Early stage investment management and structuring skills – an appropriate understanding, exposure and interest in financing and investing in small and growing businesses, with a solid awareness of VC type investment approaches and structure; and
• The ability to identify, recruit and lead a small investment team and other professionals.

 Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience, with at least 5 in a management/leadership capacity in an investment fund preferably an early stage investment fund;
• General management experience, at the helm of a similar impact fund or private equity fund is desirable;
• Previous demonstrable experience in fundraising for an investment fund;
• Post Graduate Degree in Business related areas is desirable;
• Must have a bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, accounting, business or any other discipline strong in analytical orientation.