Gender Officer at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

AECF’s Gender Lens Investing Strategy

AECF’s investment strategy seeks to identify, nurture, and accelerate solutions that result in the full and equal participation of men and women in the value chains in which it invests.

The strategy provides a broad definition of how private sector investment can achieve impact throughout the gender equality spectrum. It promotes investments that recognize current norms and that work around barriers to help individual women participate — such as creating sustainable livelihoods and opportunities for employment.

The strategy also seeks to be gender transformative by funding interventions that challenge inequitable norms and strengthen equitable ones to disrupt the barriers in the market which impede full equality.

The Role

AECF is looking for a Gender Officer who will support the portfolio and impact teams to apply a gender lens across all investments, and shape AECF’s approach in respect to gender integration and mainstreaming.

This role supports the implementation of AECF’s current Gender Lens Investing Strategy including working closely with teams across AECF to ensure that AECF’s gender lens investing offering is fully embedded across programs and operating procedures.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance to portfolio companies on gender integration and gender smart solutions for increased business value.
• Oversee the development, update and implementation of the gender analysis and strategy to deliver on the Gender Equality results including support to the portfolio team’s specific gender equality outcomes outlined in the results framework.
• Support gender related tools development, testing, and management – both at program and investee level– that will ensure timely and user-oriented gender related data collection and reporting.
• Analyze data to derive patterns and inform strategic objectives in AECF’s gender lens investing.
• Coordinate and guide investees in their gender equality results reporting and documentation responsibilities.
• Ensure that the reporting meets the evidence and communications needs of AECF and the donors.
• Support the design and implementation of gender smart solutions for portfolio companies, working closely with the portfolio and impact teams whilst capturing learnings.
• Working with the Gender Specialist, support the ongoing implementation of selected gender smart solutions in portfolio companies, adjusting the approach where necessary based on new insights.
• Support the development of knowledge products and organize knowledge sharing events on AECF’s gender lens investing insights.
• Review project gender equality outcome results achievements against indicator targets with a view to strengthening reporting, planning, implementation as well as decision making.
• Keep up to date project gender related data and reports for reference by the program team as well as other stakeholders.

The Candidate:

Suitable candidates should:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in in Gender Economics, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Development Finance, or other relevant fields of study.
• Have at least four (4) years of post-training experience in one or more of the following areas: gender economics, social entrepreneurship or impact investing.
• Have in-depth knowledge of gender in development settings, especially in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment, and gender-based violence.
• Have solid analytical, writing skills, and communication skills (including developing advocacy messages)
• Have experience working in an international team and proven ability to deliver in a complex environment with multiple, divergent
  stakeholder interests.
• Have sound knowledge and experience of report writing.
• Possess strong gender technical skills and experience.
• Possess strong data mining and analysis skills.
• Possess strong analytical and communication skills.
• Have the ability to carry out stakeholder engagements and training activities at all levels.
• Have the ability to manage the delivery of multiple projects that create significant financial and social impact whilst meeting deadlines.
• Have in-depth understanding of private sector development, including key challenges and needs especially in addressing women as a core customer segment.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills including strong work ethic, impeccable integrity, and judgment.
• Fluency in written and oral English is essential. French is an added advantage.