Manager, New FSD Strategies at FSD Africa

JOB PURPOSE

The Manager, New FSD Strategies is responsible for supporting the establishment of five new FSDs entities in Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). This work is highly strategic, expanding the FSD Network footprint into new and important markets. The role will support and lead the development of strategic frameworks and the population of these frameworks with a portfolio of impactful programmes and projects. To enable this effort, the role will also support and lead aspects of delivery platform development – the establishment of the FSD entities themselves.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS
 

Establishment of New Entities

Support the effort to develop and implement a project plan for the foundation and registration of five new FSDs (in Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, and WAEMU); ensuring that each new entity is provided with a firm foundation for future success:

• Ensure full understanding of the joint FSD Africa/Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) strategy for the FSD Network as a whole; and specifically, the objectives that must be achieved through setting up each new FSD
• Support a consultative process to develop a clear and agreed project plan for the foundation and registration of each new FSD
• Manage the procurement and on-going supervision of consultants who will deliver against the project plan (for instance, legal
• council for managing registration and statutory compliance, HR consultants for managing Board and Executive recruitments etc.)
• Build strong relationships with the newly recruited Board and Executive Director; provide ongoing logistical support during the initial set-up of each new FSD

2. New FSD Programming & Strategy

Liaise with the New FSD Strategies Senior Manager, the FSD Africa CEO and Pillar Teams to identify priority areas for programming across the new FSDs portfolio; oversee relevant research, development and testing of theories of change, and conceptualisation of new projects:

• Support the development of strategic frameworks, bringing them to life with well-designed programme and projects for delivery in each New FSD location,

• As requested by the New FSD Strategies Senior Manager, carry out research to gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem in new countries of operation, as well as needs and requirements of stakeholders and how to leverage beneficial change

• Develop and test theories of change, aligned to the overall FSD 2.0 strategy, for programmes that will be rolled out by the new FSDs

• 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

Support the New FSDs Senior Manager to conceptualise and develop a coherent portfolio of projects and implementing partners which will collectively be effective in driving impact and systemic change in the countries of operation of the new FSDs and more widely across the region:

• Identify a variety of instruments that might stimulate financial inclusion for FSD Africa’s target end-beneficiaries.Such instruments will be context-specific but might include digital finance solutions, credit scoring, digital identity etc.

• Contribute to the identification of potentially impactful implementing partners; support them through the due diligence process and the development of grant agreements

• Collaborate with implementing partners and relevant technical experts to develop project proposals that comply with Investment Committee standards

• 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

• Lead the delivery of programmes and projects in close collaboration with the New FSDs Senior Manager

• Develop detailed implementation plan, budgets and cash-flow forecasts that will ensure project success and address capacity gaps of partners

4. Project Implementation & Budgeting

Co-ordinate the roll-out of new FSD projects so that results are achieved, budgets and risks are managed, and quality projects are delivered, managing the eventual handover to in-country staff:

• Work with implementing partners to assist them in implementing their projects according to the project plan:

  • Organise and execute a regular schedule of visits to field projects in collaboration with other key members of the direct and indirect teams
  • Address delivery shortfalls with a coaching style in the first instance
  • Negotiate assertively, with the administration of consequences, in case of persistent failure to deliver

• Provide technical assistance, or organise the provision of support, to Implementing Partners (includes supporting delivery partners to provide data for the Results team, Learning and Grant accountability data)

• Review the Monthly and Quarterly Reports and take appropriate action based on results and analysis:

  • If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in’
  • 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)

Communicating for Impact

When developing project plans for New FSDs, consult and collaborate with the Advocacy and Communications team to develop and implement plans for influencing stakeholders that will support the success of the intervention; for instance, advocating for policy reform or stimulating grass roots demand:

• Work collaboratively with 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
• Build strong relationships with FCDO colleagues as well as market actors to enable smooth strategy development and effective delivery
• Represent FSD Africa in public forums and networking opportunities; always behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand and values

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 in a relevant field

• Relevant post graduate qualifications are an advantage

• Excellent skills in written and spoken English 

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• At least five years of experience, some at a senior level, working in a relevant environment across multiple countries and institutions, including in Africa
• Significant knowledge and experience in inclusive finance and economic development, and a willingness to play a leading role in realising these objectives for FSD Africa
• Strong knowledge and understanding of financial instruments (e.g. poverty graduation programmes, cash transfer or enterprise grants programmes, development impact bonds etc.), design sprints, market-leading intelligence, advocacy, technical assistance, risk capital and their impact on inclusive finance and poverty reduction
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative and trusted relationships with implementing partners, donors, private sector players and government counterparts
• Demonstrated track record of rigorous project management skills and achievement of results
• Demonstrated skills in managing large budgets, managing risk, and ensuring value for money; ability to manage project portfolio in GBP £2m-£5m range
• Experience with managing and reporting on complex donor-funded projects

Desirable

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