Associate Director – Agribusiness

AECF is seeking to recruit an Associate Director – Agribusiness, to steer the organization’s strategic and programmatic work in private sector development in the agribusiness sector, bringing on board the best-in-class agribusiness development mind with the ability to identify strategic opportunities, conceptualize and design new programmes, products, approaches, processes and systems that increase AECF’s reach to the rural and marginalized communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Associate Director – Agribusiness will report to the Director of Investments Portfolio and drive the implementation of the refreshed strategy for the agribusiness sector, updating it with new insights and aligning the team for execution. In addition to their thorough understanding of the Africa Agribusiness sector (and major sub-sectors), the candidates should demonstrate an
understanding of market-based approaches to development.

The role will have access to a wide range of resources and a team that will look to you for leadership, coaching, mentoring, training, and support for career development.

Key responsibilities:
Lead Agribusiness Strategy and Implementation

• Be the go-to person for agribusiness expertise for the institution, provide strategic direction for AECF’s agribusiness sector, and develop an innovative and ambitious agribusiness sector strategy with a clear focus on sub-sector interventions across Sub-Saharan Africa to scale up agribusinesses and increase access to finance.
• Champion new opportunities across the organization, working collaboratively to identify opportunities in the agribusinesses-energy nexus, remove key barriers and enable innovation to build sustainable agribusinesses.
• Oversee the implementation (time, budget and deliverables) of the agribusiness strategy, putting in place tools, processes and systems to ensure the realization of the strategic objectives.
• Closely collaborate with and support the Director of Investments Portfolio to amplify his efforts and function as a thought partner, switching between strategic and tactical priorities.
• Lead the integration of AECF’s thematic areas of focus – climate, gender, youth and fragility – into the agribusiness strategy and ensure delivery of impact in the said thematic areas.

Programme Implementation and Execution

• Oversee all agribusiness programmes, ensuring consistent and quality delivery.
• Ensure exceptional management of current agribusiness programs portfolio, and lead portfolio expansion – providing guidance and direction to the portfolio team on competitions, due diligence, structuring, and execution of programme activities.
• Provide technical expertise to assure alignment of the agribusiness portfolio with evolving sector development policies, government development objectives, other donor programmes, and foreign policy priorities.
• Provide oversight to the planning and execution of portfolio activities to ensure that: implementation is on track; performance targets are being met; progress reporting is timely and accurate; and resources are utilized in an appropriate manner.
• Lead and manage cross-functional initiatives in the agribusiness and agribusiness-energy nexus, ensuring outstanding results and a high level of quality in our programs and ensuring coherence between the Agribusiness portfolio and cross-cutting themes and approaches
• Lead regional and country operations, overseeing the composition and strengthening of the capabilities of the team.

Partnership Development

• Maximize mobilization of funds (public and private sector donors including bilateral, multilateral, and foundation donors) and bring co-financier resources to support existing and new programs/products.
• Lead origination, concept note and proposal development towards ensuring the diversification of the AECF programs and product portfolio.
• Working with the partnerships team, identify and onboard partners that may accelerate investment, innovation and market access across regions, countries, and sub-sectors.
• Manage relationships with main donors and partners at a global and country-level for agribusiness programmes.

Suitable candidates should:

• Possess 12+ years of relevant experience in agribusiness, agricultural economics, private sector agribusiness management, international trade, or any relevant field, with at least 5 years’ experience at a senior management level.
• Demonstrate rigorous understanding of the sub-Sahara Africa and global agribusiness context and ability to interact with key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors.
• Have working knowledge of agriculture value chains, agribusiness finance, agribusiness-energy nexus, and Climate Smart Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Possess experience in the social impact investment space or private sector development, working with Agri-SMEs in different Agri value chains.
• Be an excellent and visionary leader with great interpersonal skills to build a strong work ethic, impeccable integrity, and good judgment.
• Have an interest and aptitude in prospecting, cultivating, and managing new donors.
• Possess exceptional planning and analytical skills, ability to discern patterns and insights from research and internal / external data and focus on the critical business issues.
• Possess High degree of initiative and energy, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail.