Property Development and Finance Manager at Aga Khan Education Service, Kenya (AKESK)

Job summary

The Property Development & Finance Manager, based in Nairobi, Kenya, will play a critical role in the assessment of properties owned/held by AKDN agencies in Africa (predominantly East Africa), as well as globally. Accountabilities will be focused primarily on the African continent, but there will be opportunities to be involved in the development and preparation on broader global strategies.

Responsibilities

• Work with all stakeholders and agencies, as appropriate, to explore and provide viable options for property holdings including currently utilised, underutilised, and undeveloped assets.
• Work to identify appropriate investment opportunities – by way of maintaining/improving current property assets, improving utilisation, identifying opportunities for developing, both previously developed and undeveloped properties and assessing acquisition opportunities. Fostering a culture of intra-agency co-operation by way of joint asset usage and development will be key to optimising return on investment/value.
• Take accountability for the development/implementation of local Development Corporations with a financial reporting and project management lens, enabling appropriate controls and governance are in place.
• Act as the ‘account manager’ in any contractual arrangements for the sale, development and asset management of the property portfolio.
• Monitor and control all financial governance for the on-going projects and ensure that strict adherence to agreed budgets and processes – monthly reporting will be a key deliverable.
• Manage relationships and deliverables with consultants and advisors in the field (Africa) and ensure all activities are delivered to agreed timelines and completeness.
• Take accountability for managing the governance and processes that are created to operationalise the Kenya Property Strategy including maintaining the necessary financial statements, preparing periodic reports and ensuring the logistics and documentation for meetings.

Key objectives 

• Lead the on-the-ground property developments and corporate governance (financial reporting, treasury, and regulatory requirements) with support from AKDN agencies
• Work with property contacts locally (third party consultants and contractors) in developing feasibilities and executing on development project plans with particular attention to demand drivers, infrastructure development, economic and political back drops, and the impact on social development needs
• Prepare and review all property development/re-development proposals with particular attention to financial and funding assumptions and projections.
• Prepare and review all property disposal, donation and change of use proposals and verify that all avenues have been adequately pursued and internally approved processes have been adhered to -
• Prepare and review all property acquisition proposals with particular attention to market rates (acquisition price), clean land title, allowable usage/special conditions, disputes (old and current), restrictions and any other issues that affects or will affect the property in the future – always consider (and offer to the agency in question) other property assets already owned 
• Prepare and review all project-related summary papers for stakeholder engagement and onward approvals
• Monitor any ongoing development projects as they progress and provide summary reports to stakeholders paying particular attention to time, budget, and quality
• Work with property contacts locally to review tender documents and ensure appropriate and due process is followed
• Work with property contacts locally on master planning and co-ordination across agencies - Liaison with all property contacts globally to ensure data is up-to-date and correctly recorded

The requirements

• Finance and/or accounting degrees, up to a master’s level (MBA or equivalent), preferably from an overseas institution (Canada, US, UK, and/or Australia)
• Approximately seven years work experience in corporate finance, investment banking, accounting, asset management, property development and/or private equity, preferably with some years overseas (Canada, US, UK, and/or Australia)
• Experience of working/being involved in property matters in the developing world a distinct advantage
• Strong financial/analytical skills related to financial planning and analysis
• Experience creating and/or working with financial and operational models
• High degree of work ethic and motivation
• Expertise with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A track record of taking initiative
• A demonstrated proficiency in problem solving and project management
• A strong interest in and understanding global real estate fundamental