Senior Portfolio Manager - AfriFI Kenya Challenge Fund at Self Help Africa

Job Purpose

The Senior Portfolio Manager, in addition to liaising with a small portfolio of higher value/more complex projects, will support the Team Leader with challenge fund operations management and will line manage the other Portfolio Managers. The Senior PM will work with the Team Leader to ensure a pipeline of potential applicants is generated through networking and information sessions etc. The Senior PM will also provide leadership in the project refinement for contracting for each company within the Challenge Fund portfolio. She/He will monitor implementation progress, draw learnings from/across projects participate in M&E activities, conduct due diligence/capacity assessments, provide technical assistance and coaching to the portfolio managers in their support role of selected agri-businesses

Key Responsibilities:

Application and selection processes

• Provide leadership to Portfolio Managers in the planning and delivery of awareness raising and information sharing events for applicants
• Conduct due diligence and assess project suitability for the fund using tools for shortlisted applicants to be reviewed by Independent Investment Committee
• Review match funding plans for proposed projects
• Develop a results framework for the shortlisted applicants, in collaboration with the Portfolio Managers and M&E officers

Grantee management and support

• Ensure the Portfolio Managers have a monitoring plan in place and undertake project monitoring visits as required
• Ensure the Portfolio Manager team have common understanding and approaches to reviewing grantee reports and ensuring that they are compliant with set policies and procedures
• Work with the Risk and Compliance Manager, M&E team and Portfolio Managers to ensure the measures necessary are in place to reduce and manage risk in the portfolio
• Facilitate technical assistance (training, coaching and mentoring) to the agri-enterprises after award to ensure increased value chain integration and sustainable and profitable operations
• Facilitate agri-enterprises in networking, business-to-business linkages and strengthening their supply chains
• Build relationships with EIB partner bank and disseminate information on available financial services
• Build relationships with other possible financiers for current
• Assess the agri-enterprises capacity needs and design and provide activities that build their capacity co-ordinate with PMs to develop programmes.
• Monitor programme performance to enable early anticipation of necessary adjustments to plans and budgets
• Provide guidance in the preparation of quarterly milestone reporting

Programme quality, monitoring and reporting

Work closely with the agri-enterprises and other stakeholders to coordinate coherent and consistent delivery of the programme objectives. Specific tasks include the following:

• Support programme management on all aspects of the programme cycle: design, planning, implementation, quality and accountability, monitoring and evaluation.
• In coordination with the AgriFI team, SHA Kenya and HO Technical Advisors, ensure effective integration of core technical areas – Enterprise Development, Agriculture (incl. aquaculture), Natural Resource Management, Nutrition, Social Inclusion and Gender
• Provide technical input for the implementation of the programme including in the preparation of work plans, strategies, training materials, guides and manuals
• Facilitate effective communication between SHA and stakeholders for effective programme management
• In conjunction with the M&E Officers, conduct monitoring and evaluation of the selected agri-enterprises’ outputs and compile periodic programme reports as required by the donors and SHA
• Work with the Communications Officer to capture learning emerging from the programme
• Represent the AgriFI project at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field in close coordination with the Team Leader and the Country Management Team.

Operations and compliance

• Support the Team Leader to ensure compliance by SHA and partners with contract requirements in planning, financial management, procurement, monitoring and reporting, and facilitate further training where necessary
• Identify, assess and report on risk elements within the projects and wider programme
• Support the Team in programme design and fundraising initiatives that contribute to the growth of the AgriFI Kenya Challenge fund programme

Any other duty assigned on occasion by the line manager.

Knowledge and experience

• At least seven years’ experience in the implementation of agri-business/enterprise development projects with mentoring and business development support to agri-enterprises at a mid/senior level
• Strong project management skills with an in-depth understanding of business decision-making in competitive market environments; inclusive sub-sector development and value chain/Market Systems Development
• Strong analytical skills for appraising business case reports and audited financials with an understanding of performance contracting, follow-up, and execution
• Proven experience in investment and financial assets management as an analyst or assistant manager in a financial institution environment
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills
• Familiarity and experience with EU regulations preferred
• Excellent report writing skills and ability to present results succinctly and for a varied audience

Qualifications/Other requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, agri-business, or economics required
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages

Role competencies

• Have a consistent record in business development and exceptional Relationship Management skills
• Have good commercial acumen and credit understanding
• Tech savvy and can use emerging technology with ease
• Passionate about supporting agri-enterprises and its role in regional economies
• Ability to analyse and interpret financial and research information
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong interest in agriculture and the environment
• Ability to communicate technical information to non‐technical people
• Ability to lead, manage and work in a team