Business Support Manager : Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya

Job Title:       Business Support Manager

Reports to:     Regional Director, Africa

Based in:       Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose

This is a fixed term contract (with a possibility of extension) to support the Africa Regional Office in delivering key programmes in line with GVEP International’s philosophy, donor requirements and stakeholder expectations. Each programme needs to be delivered adeptly, with synergies, efficiencies, scale effects, lessons and knowledge being shared among projects. This role will help fulfil that purpose, notably by helping deliver the CARE² project described below in a complex environment. The key projects currently managed by GVEP include:

1. Capital Access for Renewable Energy Enterprises (CARE²) project funded by Sida. GVEP International is implementing all aspects of this programme which will support the growth of a sustained market for renewable energy, focusing on “e-MSMEs” (energy-focused micro, small and medium sized enterprises) in east Africa, as a means to drive economic prosperity in a way which is inclusive of people living in poverty. Lasting three years, and the project is targeting the creation of 3,600 new jobs in 1,400 e-MSMEs, through a balanced combination of interventions designed to increase both the supply of capital to businesses, and their capacity to deploy that capital effectively.

The project has, among other components, a Business Support function also known as the Technical Assistance Facility, (“TAF”), for e-MSMEs looking to raise capital, to help them to identify potential lenders and/or investors, and to prepare their investment cases for that purpose.

2. Energy SMEs Programme: ESME is a programme under the World Bank administered Russian fund. The fund is for supporting Energy SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen their capacity to provide energy services to poor communities in the SSA region.

GVEP International is providing technical assistance, business development services and assistance in accessing finance for SMEs in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mali and Senegal. Government agencies in these countries also receive funding from the Trust Fund to support SMEs through specific programmes which GVEP International has helped to design.

The primary focus of ESME is on assisting eligible SMEs and projects to access the support being provided through government agencies and ensuring they become sustainable and successful enterprises. Activities also extend to assisting similar SMEs and projects to qualify for finance from other sources, e.g. other government initiatives, donor programmes, banks and/or investors. Follow up with these various enterprises to enable them to realise their potential is a key part of the GVEP International work plan agreed with the World Bank.

3. The Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (CIC) provides incubation, capacity building and financing to Kenyan entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are looking to develop and scale innovative climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

The initiative, which is being funded by DANIDA and DFID in partnership with the World Bank’s infoDev programme, aims to improve livelihoods by unlocking innovative solutions to climate change. In the first 5 years, the CIC is expected to fund over 70 climate technology businesses in Kenya and generate 4,600 direct and indirect jobs, including 1,400 jobs for women.

The CIC is implemented by a consortium whose lead partners – Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), GVEP International, Strathmore University and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) – offer a unique combination of world-class management capability, frontline experience with Kenyan SMEs, and first class facilities.

4. Other projects: GVEP does other projects in the field of supporting enterprises to grow and flourish through capacity building, mentorship, project development and access to finance. Further GVEP is continuously looking for new opportunities for projects in furtherance of its mission of accelerated access to energy.

GVEP is also collaborating with a Swiss-based fund manager Alpha Mundi to raise a Euro 50m impact investment fund targeting energy SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa. The Technical Assistance Facility team will play a key role in generating a pipeline of investment opportunities for the fund, pre-screening potential deals and providing post-investment support at the request of the Prometheus investment managers.

The Role

The opportunity is to lead the team that offers that support. It is a fixed term contract (with a possibility of extension) to support the Africa Regional Office in providing good advice that enables enterprises to become more effective in their endeavours. The Business Support Manager will work with a strong team of business and technical experts in delivering this role. He/she will report to the Regional Director for Africa and will be responsible for managing a team of seven staff.

Main responsibilities include:

·         Developing criteria for inclusion of enterprises and projects under the various projects within GVEP;

·         Planning the support using tools developed for that purpose and based on priorities agreed within GVEP and with donors

·         Resourcing the priorities making optimal use of GVEP staff and calling in external expertise from appropriate sources where necessary

·         Vetting applications for support using developed criteria while helping improve the quality of applications by working closely with applicants to refine ideas.

·         Developing a rich pipeline of applications through outreach, networking and creative marketing of the services offered

·         Maintaining good quality of the support provided by ensuring the input from staff and consultants meets GVEP standards, great attention to detail and focussing on results

·         Helping credible projects and business cases access finance using knowledge of the sector and matching that with requirements, including helping negotiate deals

·         Following up on implementation to ensure the business plan is implemented and expected results/returns achieved – including providing technical support to Prometheus investee companies as required

·         Keeping abreast of developments in finance and investment climate in the region. Develop networks with investors

·         Keeping abreast of developments in technology and best practises

·         Managing the team of business and technology experts, continuously upgrading their skills and filing any gaps to match with client requirements

Requirements:

·         A strong background in finance and renewable energy spanning five years or more

·         Experience in critical analysis of business plans, investment plans, financial structures, feasibility studies and engineering designs with a view to making them real and workable

·         Knowledge of the financial sector and investment climate in East Africa, especially in relation to renewable energy

·         A good understanding of renewable energy technologies including small hydro, solar, biomass with an eye for technical, financial and economic feasibility

·         Knowledge of infrastructure project cycles: Planning, procurement, construction, commissioning, training, operation.

·         Good team building and motivational skills with an ability to work with a diverse mix of professionals and deliver

·         A good communicator with advanced oral and written skills

·         High numeracy skills with ability to analyse complex data and discern patterns, trends, anomalies etc and generate useful information

·         Experience working with donor funded projects would be an advantage

·         A can-do and collaborative mindset – comfortable with the ambiguities and demands of a rapidly evolving environment.

The position will require regular travel within East Africa.

To apply please send your CV plus a covering letter (in English) outlining how your knowledge, skills and experience match the job specification to  recruitment@gvepinternational.org

Deadline for applications submission is 19^th October 2012.

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 22^nd  October 2012 in Nairobi

GVEP International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.