Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) Job Careers.

Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) Job Careers.

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a US$50-100 million fund spanning Africa.

The AECF is an “impact investor” that aims to make market systems work better for the rural poor in Africa leading to increased incomes and jobs for millions of poor, rural households.

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 to successful applicants after demand-led (call for applications) competitive bidding rounds.

The focus of the AECF is on the agribusiness sector, 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 July 2010 the AECF had 39 ongoing funded projects following six (6) rounds of competition for financing. The AECF is expected to grow substantially over the next year as new thematic/regional windows are introduced including: Zimbabwe (AECF ZW), Tanzanian Agribusiness (AECF TZAW), Research into Business (AECF RIB), Climate Change (AECF REACT)
The AECF is a “Special Partnerships Initiative” of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) with funding from the Australian Government’s Aid programme, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA).

The AECF is managed by KPMG Development Advisory Services (KPMG DAS) with support from Triple Line Consulting (UK), Creative Squares Ltd (West Africa), Imani Development (International) Ltd and Y&R Brands (Marketing and PR).

AECF wishes to recruit dynamic and committed individuals to the following positions:

Operations Manager (OM) Ref: DAS/01/2010
The Operations Manager will support the AECF Director in all matters relating to the AECF and its operations. The Operations manager will ensure activities are carried out to contribute to successful delivery of the AECF as a whole against performance measures set out in the Fund Management agreement between AGRA and KPMG.

The particular focus of the Operations Manager will be on:
* Organization and Management of Competitions/Rounds
* Project Monitoring and Evaluation;
* Operations Management and Reporting; and
* General Services.

The detailed Terms of Reference for the position can be obtained from the website: www.aecfafrica.org

The person
The ideal candidate will:
* Be an energetic and dynamic individual;
* Have a minimum of 10-15 years experience within private sector development for an international financial institution or development agency;
* Preferably have some experience of working in the private sector;
* Have a Bachelors or Masters qualification in Economics/business;
* Experience of the financial services and agribusiness sector in less developed countries, with Africa experience;
* Strong organizational skills supported by analytical, facilitation, presentation and writing skills; and
* Good interpersonal skills.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (MEO) Ref: (DAS/02/2010)
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (MEO) will support the AECF Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager in all knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation matters relating to the AECF.

The MEO will assist the AECF management team to ensure the successful delivery of the AECF as a whole against the performance measures set out in the Fund Management Agreement between AGRA and KPMG.

The position will be separate from the operational activities of the AECF and be focused on the M&E and learning function of the AECF.

This will involve:
* Monitoring and Evaluation design and training;
* Monitoring and Evaluation Performance and Impact Assessment;
* Knowledge Management; and
* General Services.

The detailed Terms of Reference for the position can be obtained from the website: www.aecfafrica.org
The person
The ideal candidate will:
* Be an energetic and dynamic individual that is willing to learn; ,
* Possess a minimum of 5 years post-university experience, preferably in monitoring and evaluation in agri-business/private sector development;
* Have a Bachelors or Masters qualification in Economics/Agricultural Economics or any other relevant Business degree;
* Experience of the SME and agribusiness sector in Africa would be desirable;
* Possess strong analytical, facilitation and writing skills
* Have strong computer skills including database management; and
* Good interpersonal skills.

The offer
These are challenging and exciting roles that require individuals who demonstrate high personal drive and initiative with a demonstrable ability to provide effective leadership and manage diverse stakeholder relationships.

If your career aspirations match these opportunities, please send your application letter and Updated Curriculum Vitae indicating the reference numbers above to reach us on or before 10 September 2010 to talentrecruit@kpmg.co.ke

Your application should contain a working e-mail address, daytime telephone contact, current remuneration and three referees.

Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The Fund Manager
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)
KPMG Development Services Limited
Lonrho House, 16th Floor
Standard Street
PO Box 40612, 00100 GPO
Nairobi, Kenya
Fax: +254 20 2215695

Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

© 2010 KPMG Kenya, a Kenyan partnership is a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member