Senior Manager- Government Advisory (Africa Region) at MicroSave Consulting (MSC)

Responsibilities

The senior manager will play a crucial role in business development activities. This involves proactive opportunity identification, scouting for partnerships with various stakeholders, proposal development, development of concept notes, and supporting senior management/leadership in business development activities.

The focus areas will encompass a range of subjects, including but not limited to:

• Social protection: Designed/implemented social safety nets and welfare programs
• Government subsidies: Knowledge of structuring, managing, and evaluating government subsidy programs
• Experience with government-to-person (G2P) programs focused on sectors such as agriculture and food systems, education, WASH, financial inclusion, digital agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture, among others
• Public finance management: Having worked with and knowledge of government budgeting and financing processes such as treasury single account (TSA), real-time/need-based disbursement of funds, chart of accounts (CoA), revenue and expenditure financing, enhancing transparency and accountability in public sector financial operations, etc.
• Smart governance/ Digital governance: Proficiency in using digital tools and technologies to improve governance, enhance service delivery, and promote transparency
• Sectoral exposure: Exposure to one or more of the following sectors that have a high degree of public investments, viz. WASH, housing, agriculture education, skilling, etc.
• Local governance: Knowledge of local government operations, decentralization processes, service delivery, and capacity building
• State capacity: Design strategies for improving the efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness of state institutions
• The person is expected to provide guidance, help to build a team with the required skills and competencies, and support the staff within the area of responsibility to ensure that the team delivers their roles to an appropriate level of quality and according to the approaches and frameworks set by MSC.
• The senior manager will also play an essential role in executing existing projects and making presentations to clients and donors. This role requires a consultant with a multidisciplinary background and the ability to integrate knowledge across various sectors to drive impactful solutions in public governance and service delivery. Experience in PFM is preferable.

Requirements

• 10+ years of overall experience working in a consulting firm, think tank, or donor/development agency and directly with the government, or multilateral/donor agencies is preferable. Experience in business development is also desirable.
• Experience in one or more sectors: G2P programs (food security, food systems, social safety programs), agriculture, digital databases/DPI, and public finance management (TSA, CoA, digital databases/ DPI in PFM), among others.
• Proficiency in data analysis and translating research findings into actionable insights.
• Proven track record in planning and executing medium/large technical assistance assignments, including field visits, with keen attention to detail and the ability to ensure assignments are delivered with the utmost due diligence.
• Excellent communication skills, writing skills, presentation skills, research skills (primary and secondary), intellectual curiosity, and passion for the social and development sector.
• Experience of working on large USAID, MCC, FCDO projects in the areas of PFM, improving state capacities will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated expertise in business development, including proactive opportunity identification, proposal drafting, and engagement in high-level business development activities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with clients and stakeholders.
• Proven project management skills, with experience in planning and executing medium/large technical assistance assignments.
• Proficient in conducting detailed sectoral and thematic research, able to analyze complex data and translate findings into strategic insights. Strong analytical skills to support proposal development, concept note creation, and knowledge document production.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Proficiency in other data analysis, digital, and AI tools will be an advantage.
• Excellent ability to prepare reports and presentations.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including clients, team members, and external experts. Capable of articulating complex ideas clearly and concisely.