Assistant Director Credit Policy, Regulation & Infrastructure at FSD Africa

About the Role

The Credit Markets pillar addresses the profound problems that result in credit market dysfunction in Africa which constrains business investment (and therefore job creation) and contributes to over-indebtedness at individual and household levels.

Reporting to the Director, Credit Markets, the Assistant Director Policy, Regulation & Infrastructure focuses on improving the enabling environment for credit. This involves leading research, analysis and thinking around ecosystem development, e.g. in housing finance where we intend to continue a long-standing partnership with the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance, based in Johannesburg.

The Assistant Director will assume responsibility for an existing portfolio of impactful intervention projects.

These include: working with central banks on credit market data gathering and analysis; conceptualising and implementing evidence-based advocacy campaigns that highlight the importance of credit; supporting the emergence of sandboxes or other RegTech approaches; conducting research into the big issues affecting credit markets in Africa e.g. cost of credit & interest rate regulation).

There will be ample scope for the successful candidate to bring her/his own ideas into play to initiate new interventions and partnerships (e.g. around responsible credit).

There will be very significant opportunities for the successful candidate to leverage and develop her/his African and international networks – with central bankers and policy makers, research agencies and think tanks, private sector service providers, development organisations and civil society.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Thought Leadership

Act as a thought leader, aiming to support Regulators, Policy Makers and Service Providers to effectively regulate credit market innovations and enable the development of more responsive credit markets:

• Stay abreast of local and regional regulatory and other market developments in Credit Markets in SSA
• Ensure regular engagement with experts and policy makers in SSA countries to understand strategic priorities for the development of effective credit markets and their regulation
• Scope out existing research and commission additional research, as required to develop and test Theories of Change
• Develop and communicate a deep and comprehensive understanding of the Credit Market ecosystem and how to leverage beneficial change

2. Strategy & Program Development

Lead the development of FSD Africa’s new approach to Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure; ensuring that the programme results in meaningful poverty-reducing outcomes:

• In collaboration with the Results pillar, review lessons learned from previous, relevant, projects (FSD Africa & Network); use the results to inform the development of strategies, instruments and approaches
• Participate in strategy and workplan development for the Credit Markets Pillar, ensuring that learning from Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure interventions is incorporated
• Lead the development of strategy and plans for Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure programming
• Ensure the inclusion of FSD Africa’s cross-cutting themes: jobs & employment, basic services and climate/sustainability
• Work collaboratively with the Results Pillar to devise and manage results measurement and learning frameworks that will yield important insights into the development of effective long-term interventions

3. Project Planning

Conceptualise and develop a portfolio of Implementing Partners and Projects which will collectively be effective in driving impact & systemic change:

• Identify, engage and build relationships with key Implementing Partners (IPs) and other stakeholders who have the capacity to effectively contribute towards Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure development
• Support the development of IP workplans; ensuring alignment between partners’ plans and FSD Africa’s Theory of Change and that the over-all portfolio of projects has the capacity to leverage systemic change
• Oversee the development of project proposals that comply with Investment Committee standard; including detailed implementation plan, budgets and cash-flow forecasts that will ensure project success and address capacity gaps of partners
• Ensure that all staff, consultants and implementing partners involved in a project are fully briefed concerning expectations; especially on project milestone targets, quality standards, data collection/reporting and compliance with risk management / accountability requirements
• Assume responsibility for existing programmes and workstreams, including the partnership with the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance, MOUs with a number of central banks

4. Project Implementation

Coordinate the roll-out of projects so that results are achieved, risks are managed and that quality projects are delivered; ensuring that learning from projects is fully utilised to maximise impact and innovation:

• For any projects personally supervised, work with implementing partners to assist them in implementing their projects according to the project plan:

1. 1. Organise a regular schedule of visits to the IP for both self and members of other pillars as appropriate (Finance, Results)
   2. Address delivery shortfalls with a coaching style in the first instance
   3. Negotiate assertively, with the administration of consequences, in case of persistent failure to deliver

• Develop tools and approaches which will guide the team, implementing partners and stakeholders in implementing best practice in credit market development; ensure that IPs are provided with any other necessary capacity-building support
• Review the Monthly and Quarterly M&E Report and take appropriate action on the basis of results and analysis:

1. 1. If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in’
   2. If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/approach

• Identify and mitigate project risks in a timely manner (project delivery and partnership management)

5. Communicating for Impact

Drive the transformation of Credit Market Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure through effective influencing, advocacy and communication strategies:

• Lead stakeholder mapping for the Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure Programme, identifying key decision makers / power brokers and developing innovative ideas for influencing them and/or transforming their mindsets
• Engage in advocacy for Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure change, building stakeholder awareness, helping influence policy at the highest levels through dialogue, and arranging communication platforms, including facilitation of networking opportunities
• Work collaboratively with the Advocacy and Communications team to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact
• Contribute to the implementation of the Communication strategy (e.g. by developing content for written materials/website; participating in campaigns etc); participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports
• Represent FSD Africa in public forums and networking opportunities and/or convene stakeholders in order build awareness and influence the thinking around Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure development; at all times behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand and values

6. Team Leadership

Lead the Credit Policy, Regulation and Infrastructure team of staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value to FSD Africa and deliver high standards of performance:

• Ensure that the pillar is resourced with the expertise necessary to deliver on strategy & project implementation; through a combination of recruitment and management of staff and procurement of consultants
• Ensure that each pillar team member is provided with clarity concerning goals and expectations of their personal role in achieving results, standards and behaviour
• Plan and organise the work of the pillar team to accomplish project strategic & project goals and targets in the most cost-effective and impactful manner possible
• Ensure delivery of an engaging leadership style that motivates team members and results in high performance

Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• Good quality bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
• Relevant post graduate qualifications are an advantage
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum 9 years’ experience, rising to a senior management level, working in the credit market (FSP, regulator or policy advocate)
• Strong understanding of credit market systems in sub-Saharan Africa
• Understanding of the development world & MRM
• Experience in change management at the institutional level & clear ability to influence thinking at a credit market ecosystem level
• Evidence of a significant network of influential contacts / leaders in credit markets in sub-Saharan Africa; evidence of ability to influence at the policy-maker level
• Profound insight into the FinTech landscape in sub-Saharan Africa and how it affects credit markets and regulatory innovation
• Demonstrated track record of rigorous project management skills and achievement of results
• Experience with managing and reporting on complex donor-funded projects, managing risk and ensuring value for money

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Previous experience of working in DFID-funded projects
• Languages: French, local African languages