Private Sector Specialist at WYG International

WYG’s regional office in Kenya is seeking to recruit a Private Sector Specialist who would manage ongoing projects and programmes; support the identification of new opportunities across East Africa and lead on the bidding as required.   The role would include:

Management, oversight and hands-on engagement in delivery of WYG’s private sector projects

• Responsible for the management of human and financial resources for project delivery
• Act as key liaison point for projects vis-a-via clients and donors
• Provision of technical expertise and project management to deliver projects
• Lead project teams and ensure effective communication and accountability systems are in place
• Ensuring timely, high-quality financial and narrative reporting to donors
• Ensuring internal controls, systems and reporting requirements are met

Business Development

• Cultivation of a pipeline of donor funded and private sector contract opportunities which can be secured by WYG through competitive tender or direct award
• Gathering of market intelligence in relation to the pipeline of opportunities and positioning of WYG to ensure that it is in a strong position to compete when they come to market
• Leadership of private sector bids in the East African region including technical input
• Lead the team of in-house staff for business development in the private sector field.

Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in business administration, economics, finance, or another relevant field

Experience and Attributes:

• At least ten years of experience with private sector development in the international development context including a mix of the following:
  • Private Sector development - finance, incubation, business environment, business support centres, etc.
  • Trade facilitation – trade policy, barriers to trade, incentives, market analysis, etc.
  • Support to SMMEs and entrepreneurship
• Experience of working with local government -
  • Designing and delivering training programmes, facilitating workshops, etc.
  • Experience of working in fragile or conflict affected environments is desirable
  • Business development experience and understanding of donor markets desirable
  • Experience in the management and oversight of grant contracts would be an asset
• Strong writing and analytical skills with excellent competence in MS Office programmes essential
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential, knowledge of East African languages an asset
• Must be able to work independently and motivate/lead teams of people. 

The Private Sector Specialist will be based in the Nairobi office but significant travel within the East Africa region is envisaged. S/he will report to the WYG East Africa Director.

Interested Applicants should demonstrate the following minimum requirements in their cover letters and CVs (max 2 pages).