Principal Innovation and Resilience at FSD Africa

Project Design & Implementation and Risk Management

Ensure the effective implementation of innovation for resilience and insurance regulatory projects; ensuring that the results anticipated in the MRM framework are achieved:

• Conceptualise, design and write investment proposals including results measurement and risk management frameworks.
• Following approval, develop detailed implementation plans; including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required.
• Ensure the effective implementation of projects so that milestones of the project plan are achieved on time and to standard.
• Lead monitoring, results management, and learning for all projects being implemented; ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise FSD Africa’s beneficial impact.
• Provide high quality technical advice and support to Implementing Partners, Consultants and other project stakeholders in Government Debt Markets
• Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders.

Financial management & fundraising

Lead the management of the finances associated with the Innovation for Resilience and Insurance Regulation Programmes, aiming to optimise the impact that is achieved with resources and ensuring compliance with FSD Africa’s and Donor policies:

• Identify opportunities for fundraising and co-funding for the work of FSD Africa & support with proposal development as requested.
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money.
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities ensuring cost effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets.
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times.

Influencing & Communicating for Impact

Drive transformative market development through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication strategies:

• Lead stakeholder mapping; identifying key decision makers/ power brokers/ customer groups and developing innovate ideas for influencing them and/ or transforming their mindsets.
• Develop and implement strategies for influencing key stakeholders and driving market and risk management innovation; for instance, advocating for policy reform.
• 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 to build awareness and influence the thinking around risk market development; at all times behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand and values.

Implementing partner engagement & capacity building

Support the Director, Risk and Resilience in identifying, engaging and empowering key implementing partners; so that they are equipped to operate effectively and contribute to development objectives:

• Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g. political economics, due diligence, influence, etc.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties.
• Engage partners in joint strategizing and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on insurance market development.

Team Leadership and Unit Management

Lead staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value to FSD Africa and deliver high standards of performance:

• Ensure that the Innovation for Resilience Programme 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 team member (staff and consultants) 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 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

• Masters degree and 12 years of experience or Bachelors Degree and 14 years of experience in areas if technical specialism, including at a senior level in Financial Markets environment
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least 12 years of experience in the areas of technical specialism, including at a senior level, in a financial markets environment. 
• Ability to manage project portfolio of significant budget 
• Ability to manage project diversity and complexity 
• Ability to manage significant complexity and conceptual sophistication
• Successful track record of delivery of results in the area of technical specialism and the provision of technical assistance
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders at leadership or specialist level
• Experience in conducting and analysing research
• Understanding of the development world and strategic MRM (preferred)