AECF Chief Operating Officer (COO) and East Africa Director (EAD) , Kenya

KPMG is a leading provider of professional services, which include audit, tax and advisory. KPMG’s International Development Advisory Services Unit (IDAS) is based in Nairobi, Kenya and has adopted a pan-African approach to development work, employing full-time experienced development experts within the KPMG Africa team at our headquarters in Nairobi, together with a network of champions across the twenty countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2008, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) contracted KPMG Development Advisory Services (KPMG DAS) to provide fund management services for the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (the AECF) through a competitive tender process. The AECF has developed into a US$200 million fund spanning several countries in Africa. The AECF encourages private sector companies to compete for investment support for new and innovative business ideas that, while risky, will be commercially viable and have a large positive development impact on rural areas across Africa. The AECF awards grants and interest free, non-recourse, loans (between US$250,000 and US$1.5m per business) to successful applicants after demand-led (call for applications) competitive bidding rounds. The focus of the AECF is on agribusiness, access to financial services, renewable energy and adaptive climate technologies for people living in rural areas in general and for agriculture and agri-business enterprises in particular.

By the end of March 2013, the AECF had 102 ongoing funded businesses in its portfolio, with a further 80 at contract stage (across 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa). The AECF is expected to grow substantially over the next few years.

KPMG IDAS wishes to recruit a Chief Operating Officer (COO) and an East Africa Director (EAD) for the AECF (or the Engagement) reporting to the AECF Director. The posts will be based at the AECF Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya.

A) AECF Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Specific Terms of Reference

The COO’s primary task will be to support the AECF Director in all matters relating to the AECF and its operations. He/she will ensure activities carried out contribute to the successful delivery of the Engagement as a whole against performance measures set out in the Fund Management Agreement between AGRA and KPMG. In particular, the COO will be expected to bring senior management experience to the Engagement team and to use this experience to ensure that the AECF is managed professionally, efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications and experience

• An undergraduate degree in business management, banking, agricultural economics or related discipline (a post graduate degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline would also be preferable), with at least 15 years experience in private sector or with a financial institution, ideally, experience in lending to, or investing in, agribusiness in Sub-Sahara Africa.
• Accounting qualification such as CPA (K), ACA or ACCA would be a distinct advantage.
• Knowledge of the international development sector in Sub-Sahara Africa would be valuable. Skills and attributes
• Capable of building and sustaining relationships with senior professionals across a number of sectors and countries.
• Strong financial and analytical skills.
• Professional attitude to work and a clear work ethic.
• Ability to plan and organise effectively and to work under pressure.

B) AECF East Africa Director (EAD)

Specific Terms of Reference

The EAD’s primary task will be to manage the operations of the AECF in Eastern Africa. Currently, this consists of a portfolio of about 50 projects (“investments” ranging from US$250,000 to US$1,500,000 each) in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia/Somaliland. He/she will ensure activities carried out contribute to the successful delivery of the Engagement as a whole against performance measures set out in the Fund Management Agreement between AGRA and KPMG. In particular, the EAD will be expected to bring senior investment management experience to the Engagement team and to use this experience to ensure that the AECF in Eastern Africa is managed professionally, efficiently and effectively. The EAD, as a KPMG Director and a member of the Engagement Senior Management Team (SMT) will contribute to the success of the AECF as a whole.

Qualifications and experience

• Graduate degree in business management, agricultural economics, banking, investment, accounting or related discipline (a post graduate degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline would also be preferable), with at least 15 years experience in private sector or with a financial institution, ideally, with experience in lending to, or investing in, agribusiness in Eastern Africa.
• Investment banking experience and knowledge of the international development sector would be a distinct advantage.

Skills and attributes

• Capable of building and sustaining relationships with project and project managers in the East African countries.
• Strong analytical, facilitation and writing skills.
• Professional attitude to work and a clear work ethic.

Time Inputs: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the East Africa Director (EAD) will be employed full-time on a 3 year contract with possibility of extension.

How to apply:

If your career aspirations match this exciting opportunity, please forward your application letter and CV giving details of your qualifications and experience quoting IDAS/2013/07 COO for the Chief Operating Officer position and IDAS/2013/08 EAD for the East Africa Director position on or before Friday 31 May 2013 todasrecruit@kpmg.co.ke . Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted