Managing Director, Africa Programmes

AGI’s mission is to make government work for the world’s poorest people. It believes in a future beyond aid where African governments have the capacity to set and achieve their own goals and where citizens are able to hold their governments to account for doing so. 

AGI works with Africa’s top reforming leaders to support and build effective government. It provides practical advice and support to African leaders to help bridge the gap between their vision for a better future and the capacity of government to achieve it. AGI has supported reforms in areas including rural electrification, smallholder commercialisation and natural resource governance as well as playing a critical role in structuring the response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. AGI is facing growing demand and is an increasingly active voice in the emerging development debate around “politically smart, locally led” solutions. The charity has grown from a small, start-up organisation to one with a growing team of 50+ people and an annual budget of £7-8m generated from a funding base of foundations, institutional donors and private gifts.  

As AGI moves into the next phase of its growth, the new role of MD – Africa Programmes has been created to provide a single leadership structure for all of its work with African governments.  A key part of the Senior Leadership Team, the MD will oversee the successful delivery of governance programmes, with an expected portfolio of 8-12 countries. The postholder will provide leadership and management to the AGI Country Heads as well as wider mentoring, guidance and support to the country-based teams. He or she will lead AGI’s project multi-year strategy setting and annual business planning and will develop and manage a network of senior and former leaders able to provide advice and guidance to the partner governments AGI supports.

AGI invites applications from candidates who bring proven leadership credentials and a substantial track record in programme leadership in an international setting and of working in political environments and/or public service reform. Applicants should be able to demonstrate sophisticated people management and coaching skills, as well as the ability to engage and influence at the highest levels externally. It will be important that candidates can demonstrate a deep understanding of policy formulation, public service reform and the political process.

For more information, including how to apply, please contact Saxton Bampfylde Ltd, AGI’s employment agency advisors, at www.saxbam.com/jobs using reference JAMQA, email  JAMQA@saxbam.com or telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0890. Applications should be received no later than noon on Monday 18^thMay 2015.