OPERATIONS & FINANCE MANAGER AT NOTS SOLAR LAMPS - RWANDA

NOTS Impact Enterprises
NOTS, founded in 2003, is an impact enterprise that improves lives and preserves nature in Sub-Saharan Africa by building renewable energy enterprises. We currently focus on sales and distribution of solar lamps (‘Blue Power’) and sustainable charcoal (‘Blue Charcoal’). As an impact enterprise NOTS aims to maximize its social and environmental impact, while generating enough profit to provide investors with a return on equity. NOTS has teams in The Netherlands, Mali and Rwanda.

NOTS Blue Power
Our goal is to replace all kerosene lamps in Sub-Saharan Africa with solar lamps by 2025. We have operations in Mali and Rwanda. In Mali we reached annual sales of 45.000 solar lamps in 2013. In February 2014 NOTS opened a second office in Rwanda. In 2018 we plan to sell at least 400.000 solar lamps in Mali and Rwanda. The World Bank has recognized NOTS as one of the top players in Sub-Saharan Africa in both the number of lamps sold and professionalism.

NOTS Solar Lamps - Rwanda
The NOTS Solar Lamps office is located in Kigali, Rwanda. Solar lamps are currently sold through distributors, cooperatives, SACCO’s and Tigo Cash agents. Since 80% of the 10M Rwandan inhabitants live off grid the market potential is estimated at 6-8M lamps. This year NOTS aims to sell at least 30.000 solar lamps.

Position
NOTS is seeking an experienced Operations and Finance Manager who will develop, implement and improve processes and strategies to grow NOTS solar lamp business in Rwanda. The position will report to the Business Development Manager and is based in Kigali.

Main responsibilities:

Manage logistics and distribution 
You will coordinate, in collaboration with the Office Manager, procurement, logistics & transportation of portable solar lamps, ensuring efficient stock levels at all times.

You will facilitate our distribution strategy within Rwanda, with the aim to deliver solar lamps to wholesalers in the most cost-effective and efficient way. The Operations and Finance Manager will also monitor the cost and efficiency of the distribution system and improve where possible.

Financial management and reporting 
You will develop the organization’s annual budget and oversee monthly assessments and forecasts of the organization's financial performance against budget. You will communicate results to the Business Development Manager in Rwanda and other relevant staff.

The Operations & Finance Manager will also improve current financial systems and will provide financial reports as requested by headquarters, located in Amsterdam.

Marketing and sales support 
You will support the Business Development Manager to develop a sales and marketing plan and budget. You will manage this budget and support the implementation of the marketing campaigns as needed.

Partnership development 
You will support the Business Development Manager to secure new wholesalers. You will help develop and implement strategic partnerships with wholesalers such as corporate partners, cooperatives, entrepreneurs and other community leaders.

Requirements

• 5+ years commercial / operations experience, ideally in consumer products sector
• University degree, preferably a Masters, in business, finance or related subject
• Experience managing large scale distribution networks
• Strong background and work experience in finance
• Experience developing and managing budgets
• Excellent computer skills and proficient in Excel, Word, Outlook and Power Point
• Fluent in English. Kinyarwanda and Swahili is a plus.
• Experience working in an international environment is a plus
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, dynamic and young company
• Commitment to the NOTS Solar Lamps mission.

Competencies

• Analytical, conceptual and detail-oriented (good at analyzing numbers and drawing conclusions from the numbers)
• Pro-active problem solver who enjoys identifying issues and resolving them in a timely manner
• Thorough, ability to follow-through
• Fosters teamwork, customer orientation,
• Commercial mindset, entrepreneurial orientation
• Ability to manage performance of others
• Ability to build collaborative relationships, negotiate with suppliers and other (potential) partners
• Excellent communicator, both verbally (persuasive) and in writing
• Personal credibility and flexibility

Interested applicants should send their CV and cover letter to trisha.clauson@nots.nl

Contact details
For further information about NOTS please visit www.nots.nl.  For further information about this position please contact Trisha Clauson, Project Manager attrisha.clauson@nots.nl.