Job Openings at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will oversee the day to day management of procurement activities, ensuring that those activities uphold AECF procurement policy and best practices in all aspects of procurement implementation. Oversight of procurement solicitations and sourcing procedures, cost and selection analysis, reviewing vendor payment requests, monitoring awardee performance and maintaining procurement files.

The work involves maintaining strong relationships with internal and external clients and adherence to policies & procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement

• Review and Implement AECFs’ procurement policies and guidelines; establish and implement internal controls systems and procedures;
• Establish a clear procurement plan ensuring that requests are managed effectively ensuring enough time is provided to complete all necessary processes;
• Identify company needs and requirements by liaising with the business units for both goods and services to support the strategic objectives of the business and build specifications for the identified needs and requirements to ensure compatibility with the business needs.
• Oversee the reviewing, recording and prioritizing of purchasing requests and obtaining additional information/documentation as required;
• Guide the provision of quality assistance in preparation of requisitions in view of scope of work and specifications of goods and services;
• Propose product substitutions consistent with requirements to achieve cost savings and guide in the determination of availability of funding sources;
• Identify and recommend sources of procurement and take the lead in interviewing potential suppliers;
• Ensure proper custody of tender documents and make them available whenever necessary;
• Oversee the preparation of abstracts of offers and compilation of data contained in quotations, proposals and bids to determine which supplier meets the various specifications and requirements of the service.
• Facilitate the negotiation of terms and conditions of orders, obtaining credit and other information on proposed suppliers;
• Manage the finalization of purchase orders and contracts for approval in line with delegated signature authority, and, if required, prepare submission for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.
• Resolve issues/problems related to delivered goods, including discrepancies between purchase orders and items/quantities shipped or received, demurrages;
• Manage the co-ordination of disposal of obsolete and surplus materials/assets;
• Ensure relevant internal databases and files are well maintained, keeping track of any contractual agreements, framework arrangements etc.
• Constantly conduct research, retrieve and present information from a variety of internal and external sources on suppliers of goods and services, prevailing market rises and relevant market trends.
• Ensure the Conflict of Interest Policy is upheld throughout all processes of procurement;
• Manage all contracts issued and ensure that they are up-to-date and adhered to by the authorized suppliers.
• Travel Management
  • Oversee day to day travel and logistics management and ensure that all travel and logistics complies with AECF’s travel policy;
  • Review travel authorizations, confirm budgets where necessary;
  • Ensure staff understand the AECF travel policies and procedures by conducting frequent trainings.
• Training & capacity building
  • Oversee and ensure regular Procurement and Logistics trainings for staff;
  • Develop and maintain an effective orientation package, and ensure that new staff members are appropriately orientated on Procurement policies and procedures in a timely manner;
  • Ensure that Procurement department maintains cooperative relations with other departments, and interacts with them in a positive manner;
  • Ensure the procurement department maintains good relations with external parties, including investees.
• Inventory Management
• Oversee the management of all supplies for the organization, ensuring the Administration team are logging all incoming and outgoing supplies and any discrepancies are investigated and reported.
• Manage the process of procurement and delivery of supplies to office/sites/training/events, ensuring all items are logged in and any extra supplies are returned to the office and logged correctly where necessary.

Required qualifications, experience and competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or Procurement.
• Diploma from Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies (CIPS) or equivalent certification from a recognized institution;
• Seven (7) years’ experience in a busy procurement environment
• Knowledge of ERP systems and related software
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
• Excellent numeracy, literacy and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in French will be an added advantage.
• Strong client service orientation and displaying a good-natured cooperative attitude with internal and external clients.
• Knowledge of EU, FCDO and USAID procurement rules and regulations

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Job Summary:

AECF is seeking to recruit a dynamic, proactive, passionate and results-oriented Communications Manager, who will have the overall responsibility for positioning AECF as an impactful and leading organisation in the surfacing of and investing in early and growth stage businesses. The incumbent will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of AECF’s communication strategy and strengthening of its internal and external communications platforms in support of the institution’s overall strategy.

Reporting to the Director, Strategy & Partnerships, the Communications Manager will serve on AECF’s management committee and work closely with the CEO and senior leadership on AECF’s brand and market positioning. The person will manage a team of two (2) full-time staff; a Communications Officer and Assistant. The role will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel in the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading the Communications function with a focus on enhancing dissemination of AECF’s value adding outputs, raising the visibility of its impact and driving the organisation’s branding initiatives.
• Guiding the development of AECF’s communications plan in accordance with overall organizational strategy.
• Working with Impact Evaluation and Learning Unit to oversee development and tracking of metrics and success criteria for communications programs with the key objective being amplification of AECF’s program work.
• Providing support to the Impact Evaluation and Learning Unit in packaging and presentation of reports and success stories.
• Overseeing development of all communications materials, including press releases, talking points, reports, speeches, web materials, and videos. Ensuring all communications materials are in line with the institution’s messaging, strategy and policy positions.
• Leading the communications team to effectively implement the Unit’s strategies and activities by; establishing unit priorities, monitoring the unit budget and managing external consultants.
• Spearheading activities that build the brand by ensuring consistent use of messages across the organization and anticipating possible controversies with a proactive approach to issues management.
• Providing strategic communications and advisory support to the Board and management team.
• Managing media relations with the global, regional and national news media.
• Supporting the CEO and senior staff in the planning of media briefs, interviews, offsite visits and special events.
• Ensuring AECF events meet global standards, are well documented and receive broad coverage in target media.
• Overseeing the design and maintenance of the website, including content and aesthetics redesign reflective of the organisation’s strategy.
• Developing and reviewing of internal communication protocols, program communications and staff media protocols to ensure transparency and a strong aligned institution.
• Maintaining relationships with journalists and creating partnerships with top media associations, media outlets and bloggers at national and regional level.
• Overseeing production of corporate publications and marketing tools including the corporate brochure, annual report, newsletters etc.
• Overseeing social media platforms and taking overall responsibility for content sharing.
• Advising on requirements for market research and overseeing implementation of commissioned surveys.
• Acting as the spokesperson for the organization, as needed.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Business, International Relations, information management, media and, Journalism, Development Studies, or related field;
• Knowledge and experience in training and report preparation;
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in reporting and communication;
• At least three (3) years’ senior-level management experience in advocacy or public relations with exposure to development sector
• Experience in aligning social media into strategic communication planning
• Experience creating web content
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Significant experience in development-related activities in Africa
• A working knowledge of French will be an added advantage
• Good interpersonal, analytical and communications skills

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Job Summary:

AECF is seeking to recruit a dynamic, proactive, passionate and results-oriented E&S Specialist

to oversee implementation of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) at AECF both at an institutional level and within the AECF portfolio and to act as the Grievance Officer for AECF stakeholders.

The incumbent shall be required to conduct the E&S appraisal of a prospective project, as well as the ongoing supervision of E&S performance of portfolio projects consistent with the approved ESMS policies, procedures and manuals. Additionally, the Specialist will act as the custodian of Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM), including administration of the complaints process, monitoring the handling of complaints, and suggesting changes to policies or practices based on lessons learned.

The role will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel to Kakuma.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operationalize the ESMS framework that has been developed for the institution. Support in driving the education, communication and implementation of the ESMS.
• Review and update the E&S Policy and Tools.
• Monitor changing laws, regulations and corporate directives relating to E&S and update the relevant documentation.
• Develop an E&S training framework for the AECF Board, Staff and all the beneficiaries of AECF programmes including the Kakuma-Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF).
• Participate in selection of KKCF beneficiaries which will involve working with a team to mark concept notes; screen and categorize transactions based on their environmental and social risk, conduct environmental and social due diligence; and monitor the investee’s environmental and social performance.
• Review all available information and documentation (material) related to project environmental and social impacts and hazards, conduct an E&S appraisal of all prospective projects, as well as the ongoing supervision of E&S performance of portfolio projects consistent with the material and company’s policies and procedures.
• During the on-site due diligence phase, conduct site inspections, review facility-based records, and interview key staff and relevant stakeholders (regulatory officials, community leaders, suppliers, and customers) for purposed of identifying any E & S issues.
• Analyse project environmental and social performance in relation to the Company’s Environmental and Social policy, including IFC Performance Standards. Where required, support development of Environmental & Social Action Plans (ESAPs) for beneficiaries and Monitor implementation.
• Provide guiding reports to management on the E & S issues identified and the corresponding actions that will be necessary for AECF to invest in a project.
• Monitor regularly the recommendations for E&S for each investee to confirm implementation, in collaboration with the portfolio team.
• Identification of beneficiaries that could be considered for E&S Technical Assistance.
• Review project monitoring reports provided by the beneficiaries and the E&S officer regarding implementation of ESAPs and overall E&S performance of the company. Identify and Escalate significant E&S incidents and any corrective actions that might be necessary to KKCF management (AECF & IFC).
• Prepare E$S reports on the portfolio for Management, the Board and IFC or any other stakeholder as required.
• Act as the liaison between AECF and NEMA and any other regulatory authorities, where required.
• Coordinate management of all grievances related to the KKCF program.
• Custodian of GRM, including management of the complaints process, monitoring the handling of complaints, and suggesting changes to policies or practices based on lessons learned.
• Being the focal person for management of grievances, the incumbent shall be involved in registration of received grievances, tracking, participation in internal and external grievance committees. The Officer shall also establish appropriate communication channels with the grievant(s) and ensure appropriate resolution/closure of all grievances reported.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Advanced degree (Masters required) in a relevant discipline including Environment, Law, Social Science, Development, Economics or other relevant discipline;
• Professional qualifications in ESG/EHS and Safety Management Systems, or related International Standards.**
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in environment and social risk management with at least 5 years working with development projects and development partners.
• Experience in implementing an ESMS framework.
• Good understanding of ISO 14001 principles
• Knowledge of IFC’s Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards;
• Supportive leader, with an ability to provide culturally sensitive and effective feedback and identify strengths and growth opportunities in colleagues.
• Experience designing and conducting E&S training and development of E&S communication materials. **
• Experience working in a refugee or comparable setup is highly desirable. **

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.