Head of Business Affairs – Africa

The Wood Family Trust (WFT) is a Scottish registered charity established by UK industrialist Sir Ian Wood and his family with a key objective to improve livelihoods by stimulating viable market opportunities that will in turn create jobs and generate wealth among the rural poor. 

The Trust is based in Aberdeen, Scotland, with a regional headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
 

As a private donor, WFT is able to engage in a flexible manner with a portfolio of strategic interventions along the value chain from production to end market. This includes technical assistance, loan guarantees, match-funding, as well as debt/equity investments. 

To date WFT has launched sector programs in the tea industry in both Rwanda and Tanzania, and has recently closed on two debt/equity investments in the tea sector in which WFT’s not-for-profit investment vehicle will a take time-bound majority stake in partnership with the smallholder farmers. 

Tea will be the medium term focus for WFT, with likelihood for eventual expansion into other sectors.

General Position Description
 

WFT is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial individual to be based in the Nairobi office. 

He/she will play an integral role within WFT’s operations, working closely with the Director of Africa and Country Directors to support existing projects under management with a major focus, initially, on the new tea factory acquisitions, oversee regional financial processes, and over time develop WFT’s emerging impact investment portfolio throughout East Africa, whereby WFTA will pursue similar arrangements in partnership with the smallholder farmers.
 

The Head of Business Affairs will have a commercial accounting and/or investment finance background, and will provide monitoring and financial management oversight of current investments, assist the team to understand the financial positions of prospective investees, and support the structuring of prospective deals with due diligence analysis and cash flow forecasting.

Specific Responsibilities Include
 

Day to Day Responsibilities:

• Support Oversight of Existing Investments
• Monitor Performance of Existing Portfolio
• Provide Financial Backstopping throughout Africa Portfolio

The position will also provide support to emerging acquisition opportunities as they arise from the wider East African Team including:

• Conduct Due Diligence and Project Feasibility
• Provide Transaction Support
• Research and Source New Investment Opportunities

Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant with Bachelor’s degree required;
• Preferably MBA or similar advance degree in a related field;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in commercial accounting, investment banking, asset management, private equity and/or deal oriented financial analysis;
• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and audit skills; proficiency with spreadsheets;
• Passion for economic development and improving livelihoods through commercially minded interventions; enthusiasm for venture philanthropy and impact investing;
• Familiarity with evaluation and monitoring of investments and portfolios, including social impact as well as financial returns;
• Private sector/business experience in East Africa, preferably in Tea or an agribusiness-related field;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English; command of Kiswahili preferred;
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the region;
• Self-motivated professional with impeccable integrity; and
• Strong intercultural skills. 
• Ability to think strategically and work diplomatically within a broader team environment.

Mode of Application:
 

Applicants are required to submit their CV by Monday, October 15 with contact information for at least two referees as well as a covering letter demonstrating how they meet the required experience and capabilities.

Please submit these via email to: Helen.Emukule@woodgroup.com but do not include your certificates at this stage.