Africa Director at WYG

Job description

Role Overview

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to join WYG International’s business in Africa at a time when we are growing and investing. We have a dynamic and growing portfolio of development programmes in Africa with a solid pipeline, quality existing projects and a well-resourced, dynamic team.

Responsibilities will include identifying and supporting business development opportunities, representing WYG amongst clients and partners in Africa, management of the Africa hub in Nairobi, oversight of our emerging country offices in Nigeria and Somalia, and ensuring that the highest quality standards and ethics are met in delivering services to clients.

The position will be full time based in Nairobi, and the Africa Director will be a member of the International Development Leadership Team

Your Role

• Leadership
  • Leadership of the Africa staff and associates, with responsibility for recruitment, coaching and mentoring of the team. The extent of the team shall be refined in accordance with market needs and in collaboration with other Divisional Directors to ensure that we make full use of the resources we have within
  • International Development, and are able to serve the diverse needs of the business units.
  • Liaison with other divisional directors within International Development and other Business Units within the WYG Group, support the implementation of the WYG Strategic Growth Plan
• Business Development
  • Identification and curation of client and partner relationships and resources to ensure timely identification of opportunities, liaison with Divisional Directors and direct support to the positioning for bids
  • Identification and support of a pipeline of donor funded 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
  • Support to negotiation of final contracts with clients when selected as preferred bidder in conjunction with Divisional Director as required
  • Development of an extensive and global network of commercial partners with which to form consortia (where required) to bid for and deliver contracts
  • Development of an extensive and global network of external consultants with which to form project teams to deliver contracts on behalf of clients
  • Regular travel across Africa is anticipated in order to ensure that WYG’s profile and relationships are strengthened
• Strategy Development Support
  • Lead role in the development of a three-year strategic plan for WYG’s Africa business
  • Nesting of the Africa strategy within the wider strategies of WYG International Development Business (IDB) and WYG Group – seeking to leverage on experience and resources across the business including WYG Consulting and WYG Advisory
  • Monitoring of progress against performance milestones set out in the strategy and corresponding action plan
  • Identifying and entering into strategic partnerships, to support implementation of the Africa plan
• Organisational Performance
  • Support Divisional delivery of won projects through line management of staff in Africa, mobilisation meetings, operational meetings as required, troubleshooting, etc.
  • Deputise for Divisional Directors at client meetings, site visits or other meetings as required
  • Active participation in WYG’s annual ‘Global Engagement Event’, along with other leaders in the Group, to reflect on past performance and future direction of the business
  • Support knowledge sharing activities across the African offices, and between WYG Africa and the technical divisions

About You

We are looking for senior candidates with a Higher Degree in a field related to the work of WYG International (international development, international relationships, governance, infrastructure, economic development, M&E and climate change) who are fluent in English, with other languages an advantage. Extensive relevant professional experience is expected.

An extensive African track record is essential with experience of donor programmes (DFID, EuropeAid, EIB, World Bank in particular). Candidates will have a strong track record in business development, tendering and familiarity with different client requirements, and possess an active network of contacts and relationships with companies, consultants and other institutions in Africa.

You will ideally have had hands-on project management/delivery experience, have experience of managing a team and be acquainted with the operational delivery requirements of donors.

You must be willing to travel to support the Divisional Directors delivery of programmes and business development activities.