Job Vacancies at FSD Africa

ROLE PURPOSE

• The Lead, Carbon Markets, will drive the development of FSD Africa’s collaborative programme on carbon markets. This will involve building on the strong foundations laid through existing activities to create a strategically focused set of activities to catalyse carbon market
• development. The ultimate goal is to enable the continent to seize the opportunity presented by carbon markets to accelerate its green economic transition.
• The role will require creatively integrating a wide span of activities and partnerships across the organisation, from engaging with thought leaders and policymakers across the continent to directly designing and overseeing the successful implementation of programme initiatives with financial sector and other partners. Success will be founded on identifying the right opportunities to push the current market frontiers and effectively deploying FSD Africa’s financial, technical and knowledge resources with partners to develop, demonstrate and scale the potential.
• Spearheading the collaborative programme, the Lead’s role will be heavily focused on enabling effective partnerships both within FSD Africa’s teams and across a wide range of external partners. He/she will be FSD Africa’s primary subject matter expert on carbon markets, providing both internal and external technical advisory inputs and leading knowledge generation.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

Provide the thought leadership to drive the identification, codification and execution of FSD Africa’s strategy to catalyse carbon market development in Africa.

• Leveraging existing FSD Africa policy and industry partnerships, build insights into current priorities and opportunities for carbon market development across key public and private sector actors on the continent.
• Working in close collaboration with all FSD Africa pillars, further elaborate and refine the current carbon market programme strategy to support the creation of a high-impact portfolio of activity. Undertake in-depth analysis of opportunities for driving increased gender equity and mitigating threats of greater inequity in carbon market activity and develop a clear action plan for gender intentionality across the collaborative programme.
• Regularly review and periodically re-articulate the strategy in response to key developments in carbon markets globally and in Africa alongside learning generated through implementation.
• Act as the focal point for carbon market knowledge, learning and development within FSD Africa Participate in key knowledge forums on carbon market developments in Africa and globally, liaising closely with FSD Africa’s knowledge partners (e.g. CAP-A and ACMI), ensuring that expertise and knowledge remains at the frontier.
• Identify critical new activity areas, strategic partnerships and potential programme revisions, where necessary, commissioning targeted, high action impact research outside existing knowledge partnerships to support programme development.

Project design & Implementation and Risk Management

Support the effective implementation of a portfolio of projects and other interventions to deliver FSD Africa’s carbon market strategy.

• Identify strategically relevant intervention opportunities for FSD Africa and directly support pillar teams in finding prospective intervention opportunities within pillar activity.
• Lead or support (as appropriate) the design of carbon market projects or components, including the co-design of carbon-nature projects with the nature collaborative programme lead .
• Lead or support (as appropriate) project implementation teams in the effective agile management of carbon market projects.
• Lead the development of tools, methodologies and approaches to help guide teams in identifying opportunities, implementing good practice and maximising impact.
• Support the design of results frameworks and the monitoring, results management, and learning for all projects, ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise impact and learning.

Financial Management & Fundraising

Oversee the financial management of the carbon market programme from budgeting and mobilising resources to ensuring programmatic value for money and financial integrity.

• Further refine the existing carbon market programme budget to ensure alignment with programme strategy and oversee the tracking of all FSD Africa carbon market activity, enabling identification of total levels of investment and developmental returns
• Develop funding propositions in line with prospective funder interests and build funding partnerships to allow expansion of the programme
• Identify opportunities for experimentation, piloting or other activities to drive practical gender impact, working closely with and securing co-funding from the FSD Network gender collaborative programme.
• Conceptualise how available funds and other resources can be best allocated to achieve optimum impact and value for money.
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times.

Influencing & Communicating for Impact

Drive impact on carbon market development through effective influencing, advocacy and communications.

• Map and build a strong network of supporting partnerships with African and global institutions working on carbon markets.
• Work closely with FSD Africa’s communications team to ensure effective leverage of FSD Africa's core carbon work across all key stakeholders, including buyers, project developers, intermediaries and supporting service providers and policymakers and regulators.
• Contribute to FSD Africa’s communication plan, including participating in key knowledge events, publishing relevant materials and building an online presence to communicate programme learning and act as FSD Africa’s public lead on carbon markets.
• Undertake regular, action-oriented reporting on the carbon markets programme to key internal stakeholders (inc. pillar heads/Exco, CEO and Board) and external stakeholders (inc. FCDO and other funders)

Implementing Partner Engagement & Capacity Building

Lead and build key FSD Africa institutional partnerships on carbon markets to deliver market impact

• Refine, extend and deepen FSD Africa’s core strategic network of partnerships with African and global institutions working on carbon markets.
• Develop and execute explicit engagement strategies with key partners based on opportunities and needs, focusing on building and enhancing relationships with senior leadership and key influencers.

Team Leadership and Unit Management

Lead the FSD Africa practice area in carbon markets and create an effective virtual execution team

• Direct and oversee all aspects of FSD Africa’s carbon markets programme, including strategy refinement, work plan and budget design, and project implementation.
• Regularly track the performance of the carbon market programme against the theory of change in collaboration with FSD Africa's development impact team, including developing targets and indicators to enable tracking of gender impact at an early stage
• Manage direct reports and consultants towards high standards of performance through clear roles and responsibilities, ongoing feedback and appraisals (where relevant), and an engaging and motivational leadership style.
• Initiate, co-ordinate and support an FSD Africa carbon market execution task group to support and track FSD Africa's portfolio of carbon-related projects and interventions.
• Participate in relevant FSD Africa project steering committees and support task teams where there is a strong carbon market linkage.
• Act as an internal consulting resource to FSD Africa’s team
• Support the professional development of the wider FSD Africa team on carbon markets with regular forums, learning events (working with HR) and development of supporting materials.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

 Qualifications and Education

• Masters degree and 12 years of experience or Bachelors degree and 14 years of experience working carbon market initiatives.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least eight years of experience working in green finance.
• Track record working in relevant African markets
• Demonstrated understanding of key policy issues relating to de-carbonisation and sustainable development
• Experience in successfully influencing public and private sector leaders.
• Senior management experience in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Ability to manage diverse and complex project portfolios and large budgets.
• Strong motivation to work on achieving development impact and net zero.

Desirable

• Experience working in a multicultural environment.
• Previous experience working on donor-funded projects, ideally including FCDO
• Fluency in relevant languages (such as French, Swahili and other widely spoken languages on the continent

To apply for the role, your resume and cover letter, must be received by 5.00pm East Africa Time (EAT) on 30th September 2023.

go to method of application »

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

This Principal, Innovative Climate Finance role will lead the innovative green and climate finance interventions, with focus on catalysing, supporting innovation and scale up of green and climate finance transactions across Africa.

The Principal, Innovative Climate Finance will have an opportunity to influence strategy and develop a portfolio of innovative transactions. The role will support transactions in the collaborative initiatives around natural capital and carbon markets with transactions being developed to the point developed at which they are funded by the market (with or without the involvement of FSDAi). 

• The role will lead in the identification of Africa market priorities, appreciate market needs and requirements, and determine opportunities for capital markets pillar to contribute to transformational change and improvement. The job holder will be accountable for the development and implementation of projects working directly with implementing partners and consultants in the delivery of the projects and ensuring the successful management of FSD Africa Capital Markets strategic and operational interventions.
• In addition, the role will provide thought leadership in the green/climate finance, providing strategic and tactical advice to partners and external stakeholders and driving the transformation of capital markets through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication. He/she will be responsible for managing complex projects with a team of Senior Specialists and consultants and will be a credible coach for the external stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

To participate in the development of strategy and programmes for the Capital Markets pillar and support the Risk & Resilience, Digital Innovations and FSDA Investments pillar strategies on innovative climate finance:

• Act as a thought leader in the creation of financing structures or vehicles that are able to channel finance to underserved parts of the green economy; translate strategy into impactful operational plans and tactics.
• Ensure regular engagement with other experts & decision makers in Africa countries to understand the strategic priorities for the development of capital markets.
• Lead FSD Africa’s research into innovative climate finance; developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the financial systems in Africa and how to leverage beneficial change.
• Pay attention to personal professional development and learning in order to remain an expert in the fields of Capital Markets Development
• Contribute to the development of strategy for the Capital Markets pillar; ensuring that insights in innovative climate finance are incorporated into the design and development of relevant theories of change.
• Lead the development of tools, methodologies, and approaches (IP) which will guide the team and stakeholders in implementing best practice in innovative climate finance market development.

Pipeline & Portfolio Development

• Provide strategic direction and oversight to the transacting process; ensuring that the pipeline evolves and results in a regular flow of transactions that get to market.
• Conceptualise, design and write investment proposals including results measurement and risk management frameworks.
• Following approval, develop detailed implementation plans; including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required.
• Ensure the effective implementation of projects so that milestones of the project plan are achieved on time and to standard.
• Lead monitoring, risk mitigation, results management, and learning for all projects being implemented; ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise FSD Africa’s beneficial impact.
• Provide high quality technical advice and support to Implementing Partners, Consultants, and other project stakeholders in Innovative Climate Finance
• Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders.

Financial management & fundraising

Ensure sound financial management of Innovative Climate Finance by securing, managing, and safeguarding programme finances; ensuring that the practice achieves optimal financial efficiency, value for money and impact, all the while ensuring compliance with FSD Africa and donor policies.

• Identify opportunities for fundraising and co-funding for the work of FSD Africa & support with proposal development as requested.
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money.
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities ensuring cost effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets.
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times.

Influencing & Communicating for Impact

Drive the transformation of capital markets through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication strategies:

• Clarify the ways in which achievement of FSD Africa’s objectives depends upon influencing the mindset or behaviour of others (e.g., Investors, investees, policymakers, end-users & other stakeholders); lead the development, implementation, and results-measurement of an innovative Communications & Influencing plan.
• Take the lead in stakeholder mapping for the Innovative Climate Finance, identifying key decision makers / power brokers and develop innovative ideas for influencing them and/or transforming their mindsets.
• Design and publish industry thought-leadership materials, particularly in Innovative Climate Finance
• Contribute to the development and implementation of FSD Africa’s Communications Plan, building FSD Africa’s web presence, supporting thought leadership activities (publications, briefing notes, case studies, conference presentations), co-ordinating events, seminars etc.; establish us as a leading voice in Government Debt Markets thinking and knowledge.
• Participate in networking events and/or convene stakeholders in order build awareness and influence the thinking around how Government Debt Markets contributes to capital markets development.

Implementing partner engagement & capacity building

Support the Director of Capital Markets in identifying, engaging, and empowering key implementing partners; so that they are equipped to operate effectively and contribute to the development of their respective Capital Markets:

• Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g., political economics, due diligence, influence, etc.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties.
• Engage partners in joint strategizing and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on capital markets development.
• Work with implementing partners to assist them in implementing their projects according to agree upon project plans, maintaining a strategic clarity, focus on impact, and collaborative approach at all times.
• Review the Monthly/Quarterly Development Impact (DI) reports for any allocated projects and take appropriate action on the basis of results and analysis: 
  • If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in’, focusing on applying leverage, replication of the project, and scaling; 
  • If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/approach.  
• Identify, report on, and mitigate project risks in a timely manner (project delivery and partnership management).

 Team Leadership and Unit Management

Lead the practice area in effective and efficient planning and management of programs and resources to deliver excellent standards of service delivery.

• Build and lead the innovative climate finance team of staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value to FSD Africa and deliver high standards of performance.
• Direct and oversee all aspects of the practice area work plans, budget, and program implementation.
• Plan and organise the work of the department.
• Manage the team and consultants, towards high standards of performance through clear roles and responsibilities, on-going feedback, and appraisals. Pro-actively address performance issues through timely constructive feedback and coaching.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships across the areas of practice of the Capital Markets pillar and others to identify needs, opportunities for collaboration, communication, and reporting.
• Ensure the delivery of an engaging leadership style that motivates team members and results in high performance.

Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s degree and 12 years of experience or Bachelor’s Degree and 14 years of experience in the areas of technical specialism, including at a senior level, in a financial markets’ environment.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• A deal originator by temperament and experience – 7-10 years of transacting/raising capital/deal origination.
• Having good networks across financial intermediaries and other stakeholders in Africa; well connected to the global DFI community and to mainstream investors.
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders at leadership or specialist level
• A good understanding of how the full spectrum of finance providers relate to, and complement, each other (private sector asset managers at one end through DFIs to donors at the other) – and able to facilitate their involvement.
• Highly collaborative by nature – hungry for success but a committed team player working for the success of his/her colleagues.
• Significant experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative and trusted relationships with investors, investees, implementing partners, private sector players and government counterparts.
• Demonstrated track record of rigorous project management skills and achievement of results – a finisher of tasks, not a process manager.
• Ability to manage project portfolio of significant budget.
• Ability to manage project diversity and complexity
• Ability to manage significant complexity and conceptual sophistication
• Successful track record of delivery of results in the area of technical specialism and the provision of technical assistance
• Understanding of the development world and strategic MRM (preferred)

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge of donor policies and procedures
• Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects
• Languages: French, local African languages

COMPETENCIES

• Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes. The table below indicates the level of each competency required for this role:

COMPETENCIES

• Level 1: Basic
• Level 2: Foundation
• Level 3: Specialist
• Level 4: Senior Specialist
• Level 5: Leading Expert

ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS

Commitment & Alignment - Level 5: Leading Expert

• Demonstrates commitment to serving our partners and alignment with the values and vision of FSD Africa

Change & Challenge - Level 5: Leading Expert

• Has a strong sense of ownership that leads to learning, self-starting, taking initiative, driving change and leading development

ACHIEVEMENT COMPETENCIES 

Situational Awareness & Thinking - Level 5: Leading Expert

• Thinks clearly and intentionally, analysing information objectively, understanding issues, solving problems, and making decisions

Drive for results - Level 5: Leading Expert

•  Is keenly motivated to achieve goals & act with accountability to deliver quality results

PEOPLE COMPETENCIES

Relationships & Collaboration - Level 5: Leading Expert

• Discerns and appreciates the values, viewpoints, or abilities of others; effectively reconciles different interests and displays emotional intelligence

Communication & Influencing - Level 5: Leading Expert

• Deliberately adjusts behaviour to accommodate others; communicates clearly, confidently, and appropriately to influence others

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Relationships

• Senior level with pillar leads
• Manage / collaboration with pillar heads

External Relationships

• Senior stakeholders in their industry 
• Client and Implementing partners

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Control

• middle-sized portfolio

To apply for the role, your resume and cover letter, must be received by 5.00pm on  Friday, 15 September 2023 

go to method of application »

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

• The role will lead the area of Climate Finance interventions in the various Africa markets. The role will lead in the identification of Africa market priorities, appreciation of market needs and requirements, and determination of opportunities for Capital Markets to contribute to transformational change and improvement. The role will particularly focus on green bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, and other thematic bonds markets development.
• The job holder will be accountable for the development and implementation of projects working directly with implementing partners and consultants in the delivery of the projects and ensuring the successful management of FSD Africa Capital Markets’ strategic and operational interventions. In addition, the role will provide thought leadership in the space, providing strategic and tactical advice to partners and external stakeholders and driving the transformation of capital markets through effective influencing, advocacy and communication. He/she will be responsible for managing complex projects with a team of specialists and consultants and will be a credible coach for the external stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

Participate in the development of strategy and programmes for the Capital Markets pillar:

• Ensure regular engagement with other experts & decision makers in African countries to understand the strategic priorities for the development of capital markets
• Lead FSD Africa’s research into Climate Finance, developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the financial systems in Africa and how to leverage beneficial change.
• Pay attention to personal professional development and learning in order to remain an expert in the fields of Capital Markets Development and Financial Inclusion.
• Contribute towards the development of strategy for the Capital Markets pillar; ensuring that insights in Climate Finance are incorporated into the design and development of relevant theories of change.
• Identify a portfolio of projects in the Climate Finance space that will enable us to have a transformative impact on the market; aligned to FCDO strategy and FSD Africa's development goals.
• Develop tools, methodologies, and approaches (IP) which will guide the team and stakeholders in implementing best practice in Capital Markets Development.

Project Design & Implementation

Ensure the effective implementation of Capital Markets projects; ensuring that the results anticipated in the MRM framework are achieved:

• Conceptualise, design, and write investment proposals, including results measurement and risk management frameworks.
• Following approval, develop detailed implementation plans; including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required.
• Ensure the effective implementation of projects so that milestones of the project plan are achieved on time and to standard.
• Lead monitoring, results management, and learning for all projects being implemented; ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise FSD Africa’s beneficial impact.
• Provide high quality technical advice and support to Implementing Partners, Consultants, and other project stakeholders in Capital Finance.
• Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders.

Financial Management & Fundraising

Contribute to the management of the finances associated with the Capital Markets Pillar aiming to optimise the impact that is achieved with resources and ensuring compliance with FSD Africa and Donor policies:

• Identify opportunities for fundraising and co-funding for the work of FSD Africa & support with proposal development as requested.
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money.
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities, ensuring cost effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets.
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times.

Influencing & Communicating for Impact

Drive the transformation of capital markets through effective influencing, advocacy and communication strategies:

• Contribute towards stakeholder mapping for the pillar; identifying key decision makers/ power brokers and develop innovative ideas for influencing them and/or transforming their mindsets.
• Publish industry thought-leadership materials, particularly in the area of Climate Finance
• Contribute to the development and implementation of FSD Africa’s Communications Plan; building FSD Africa’s web presence, supporting thought leadership activities (publications, briefing notes, case studies, conference presentations), co-ordinating events, seminars etc.; establish us as a leading voice in Climate Finance thinking and knowledge.
• Participate in networking events and/or convene stakeholders in order build awareness and influence the thinking around capital markets.

Implementing Partner Engagement & Capacity Building

Support the Director of Capital Markets in identifying, engaging, and empowering key implementing partners, so that they are equipped to operate effectively and contribute to the development of their respective Capital Markets:

• Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g. political economics, due diligence, influence, etc.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties.
• Engage partners in joint strategizing and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on capital markets development.

Risk Management

Support the Director of Capital Markets in the mitigation of risk for all activities in which the Capital Markets Pillar is involved; including those associated with procurement, cyber security, business continuity, and workplace health, safety, and security:

• Contribute to the development of the organization-wide risk management matrix and protocols; build a forward-looking view of risk that will enable the Capital Markets team to respond quickly to take preventative action &/or grasp strategic opportunities.
• Ensure the Pillar is compliant with institutional policies and procedures, liaising with internal and external auditors as necessary; ensure swift corrective action is taken to address any issues pertaining to the services being managed.

Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s degree and 11 years of experience or bachelor’s degree and 13 years of experience in the areas of technical specialism, including at a senior level, in a financial markets’ environment.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English.

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Strong Leadership credentials and networks across the continent
• Experience in development of green bond frameworks and/or in provision of Second Party Opinions (SPOs) and certifications
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders at leadership or specialist level
• Ability to manage project diversity and complexity, with portfolio in GBP 1-5 million range
• Ability to manage significant complexity and conceptual sophistication
• Successful track record of delivery of results in the area of technical specialism and the provision of technical assistance
• Experience in conducting and analysing research

Desirable

• Understanding of the development world and strategic Development Impact
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge of donor policies and procedures
• Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects
• Languages: French or local African languages

FSD AFRICA COMPETENCIES
Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes. The table below indicates the level of each competency required for this role:

• Level 1: Basic
• Level 2: Foundation
• Level 3: Specialist
• Level 4: Senior Specialist
• Level 5: Leading Expert

ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS

• Commitment & Alignment - Level 4: Senior Specialist
  • Demonstrates commitment to serving our partners and alignment with the values and vision of FSD Africa
• Change & Challenge - Level 4: Senior Specialist
  • Has a strong sense of ownership that leads to learning, self-starting, taking initiative, driving change and leading development

ACHIEVEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Situational Awareness & Thinking - Level 4: Senior Specialist
  • Thinks clearly and intentionally, analysing information objectively, understanding issues, solving problems, and making decisions
• Drive for results - Level 4: Senior Specialist
  • Is keenly motivated to achieve goals & act with accountability to deliver quality results

PEOPLE COMPETENCIES

• Relationships & Collaboration - Level 4: Senior Specialist
  • Discerns and appreciates the values, viewpoints, or abilities of others; effectively reconciles different interests and displays emotional intelligence
• Communication & Influencing - Level 4: Senior Specialist
  • Deliberately adjusts behaviour to accommodate others; communicates clearly, confidently, and appropriately to influence others

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Relationships

• Senior level with pillar leads
• Manage / collaboration with pillar heads

External Relationships

• Senior stakeholders in their industry 
• Client and Implementing partners

To apply for the role, your resume and cover letter, must be received by 5.00pm East Africa Time (EAT) on  Monday 25, September 2023.