Head of Programmes – Renewable Energy and Climate Technologies (REACT) at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Direction (10%)

• Develop and coordinate the overall AECF strategies and implementation approaches to achieve results for the renewable energy and climate technologies portfolio.
• Lead development of REACT Investment Portfolio, aligning it to the AECF strategy and continental sector priorities, development and growth agenda.
• Coordinates efforts and strategies with other departments, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, and international NGOs working in the sector.
• Design, develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures for operations within the renewable energy and climate technologies portfolio.
• Provide guidance and support to team members on portfolio leadership and relationship management.
• Support the review and implementation of AECF’s strategy and technical operations.
• Develop overall operating plans, management plans, work plans, and budgets for the renewable energy and climate technologies (REACT) portfolio.
• Actively solicit input from team members and key stakeholders, recognize and acknowledge the contributions of team members.
• Ensures that activities achieve their intended results. Provides technical and organizational leadership on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities.
• Ensures that investees meet their obligations in accordance with agreements and relevant regulations.
• Prepares briefing papers for senior management on technical outlook and delivery of the Programme within the portfolio.
• Relay feedback from AECF’s partners, especially the government and development partners to other parts of the organization.

Relationship Management & Business Development (20%)

• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships and linkages with donors, and other development partner organizations, government departments, private sector partners etc. Establishes close links to sector leaders, international organizations, associations or businesses.
• Provide leadership for resource mobilization and guide teams towards achievement of resource mobilization targets.
• Capitalize on opportunities to demonstrate superior customer service during communication with investees, donors and other partners.
• Participate in meetings and events that create visibility and positive image of AECF.
• Lead AECF team in development of technical bids and proposals to prospective funders.
• Participate in the dissemination of AECF periodic progress and impact reports.
• Leverage expertise and networks to support fundraising and business development efforts of AECF. This includes contributing to proposal development and pitches to donors.
• Develop and maintain relevant and useful networks within the renewable energy and climate change sectors.

Sector leadership (40%)

• Provides technical expertise to assure alignment of the REACT portfolio with evolving sector development policies, government development objectives, other donor programmes, and foreign policy priorities.
• Provide technical leadership for the marketing, application review and selection of REACT projects.
• Responsible for the overall planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of REACT portfolio, including multiple contracts, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, and host country contracts.
• Coordinate and manage effective competition design and implementation.
• Contribute to planning and achievement of quality growth of REACT portfolio.
• Develop effective strategies the enable recovery of outstanding repayable grants as due from portfolio investees.
• Provide periodic reports on REACT portfolio, information trends and other relevant information as requested.
• Lead development and implementation of portfolio risk framework, in line with the overall AECF Risk and Compliance Management Framework.
• Provide oversight to planning and execution of portfolio activities on a periodic basis to ensure that: implementation is on track; performance targets are being met; progress reporting is timely and accurate; and resources are utilized in an appropriate manner.
• Takes the lead in the preparation of REACT portfolio reviews, annual reports and periodic portfolio progress updates.
• Facilitate and support portfolio audits and performance reviews.
• Oversee portfolio budget development and management, aligned to each Programme objectives and donor guidelines.
• Custodian of REACT portfolio performance data.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of financial resources.

M&E Learning (10%)

• Contribute to development and review the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Learning strategy.
• Lead / coordinate the portfolio learning agenda in a manner that contribute to the wider learning agenda of AECF (in liaison with HQ M&E team), to further the reputation and capability positioning of the Fund, have a wider systemic impact on the relevant market systems in Africa, and promote relevant advocacy efforts.
• Ensure continuous improvement of the portfolio quality based on learning.

Team Management (20%)

• Guide teams in the implementation of agreed strategy and programmes, including enhancing coherence at the team level.
• Participate in recruitment and managing a high-performing team of programme managers, officers and consultants.
• Responsible for the effective flow of communication within the REACT team, as part of the Investment Portfolio Management Team.
• Manage employee performance e.g. weekly/monthly continuous performance discussions and provision of feedback. Translate strategy into executable plans while motivating your team with clear direction by setting clear goals and KPIs.
• Emulate AECF brand values through rewarding and voicing support for good behaviours as much as they reward technical competence.
• Engage their employees and manage diversity within the workplace by encouraging and personally participating in employee engagement activities.

The Candidate

Suitable candidates should:

• Hold a Graduate/Masters qualification in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Sustainable Energy, Resource Economics, or other relevant field of study.
• Have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience and recognized expertise in renewable energy, climate change, climate financing, and renewable energy financing.
• Project Management certification (PMP or Prince 2) is desirable.
• Have proven project management skills with the ability to work with a diverse group of clients.
• Have proven experience working in the development sector, managing multiple donor/ funder engagements.
• Have proven leadership skills with the ability to grow a team to grow and deliver progressively.
• Have a good understanding of rural and/or financial services markets in Africa.
• Have an understanding of the operations of donors and international development organizations.
• Have excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to prepare proposals, reports and concept papers to a high level of proficiency.
• Have good interpersonal/people skills and ability to work in cross-cultural teams.
• Be fluent in English. Language skills in French will be an added advantage.