Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Created in 2012, FSD Africa is a £30 million financial sector development programme or 'FSD’ based in Nairobi. It is funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). FSD Africa aims to reduce poverty across sub-Saharan Africa by building financial markets that are efficient, robust and inclusive.

Responsibilities or duties

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

To participate in the development of strategy and programmes for the Financial Markets pillar:

• Ensure regular engagement with other experts & decision makers in African countries to understand the strategic priorities for the development of capital markets
• Lead FSD Africa’s research into the area of specialism developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the financial systems in Africa and how to leverage beneficial change
• Pay attention to personal professional development and learning to remain an expert in Financial Markets
• Lead the development of strategy for the Financial Markets pillar; ensuring that insights in the area of specialism are incorporated into the design and development of relevant theories of change
• Identify a portfolio of projects in the area of specialism that will enable us to have a transformative impact on the market; aligned to donor strategies and FSD Africa market development goals
• Lead the development of tools, methodologies, and approaches (IP) which will guide the team and stakeholders in implementing best practice in capital market development

Project Design & Implementation and Risk Management

Ensure the effective implementation of projects; ensuring that the results anticipated in the Development Impact framework are achieved:

• Conceptualise, design and write investment proposals including results measurement and risk management frameworks
• Following approval, develop detailed implementation plans; including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required
• Ensure the effective implementation of projects so that project milestones are achieved on time and to standard
• Lead monitoring, results management, and learning for all projects being implemented; ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise FSD Africa’s beneficial impact
• Provide high quality technical advice and support to implementing partners, consultants and other project stakeholders
• Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders

Financial Management & Fundraising

Contribute to the management of the finances associated with the area of specialism, aiming to optimise the impact that is achieved with resources and ensuring compliance with FSD Africa and donor policies:

• Identify opportunities for fundraising and co-funding for the work of FSD Africa & support with proposal development and project design conceptualisation
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities ensuring cost effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times

Influencing & Communicating for Impact

Drive the transformation of African capital markets through effective influencing, advocacy and communication strategies:

• Take the lead in stakeholder mapping for the projects/programmes under your portfolio, identifying key decision makers / power brokers and develop innovative ideas for influencing them and/or transforming their mindsets
• Design and publish industry thought-leadership materials, particularly in the area of specialism
• Contribute to the development and implementation of FSD Africa’s Communications Plan, building FSD Africa’s web presence, supporting thought leadership activities (publications, briefing notes, case studies, conference presentations), co-ordinating events, seminars etc.; establish us as a leading voice in capital market development thinking and knowledge
• Participate in networking events and/or convene stakeholders in order to build awareness and influence the thinking around how the area of specialism contributes to capital market development

Implementing Partner Engagement & Capacity Building

Support the Principal, Capital Markets in identifying, engaging and empowering key implementing partners; so that they are equipped to operate effectively and contribute to the development of their respective capital markets:

• Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g., political economy, due diligence, influence, etc.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties
• Engage partners in joint strategising and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on capital markets development
• Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

COMPETENCIES

Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes.

Competency Levels

Level 1: Basic

Level 2: Foundation

Level 3: Specialist

Level 4: Senior Specialist

Level 5: Leading Expert

Level 6: Executive

Qualifications and Education

• Masters degree and 11 years of experience or Bachelors Degree and 12 years of relevant experience including at a senior level, in a financial markets environment.
• Exceptional skills in written and spoken English.

Experience needed

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of projects with diverse scopes, significant complexity, and high conceptual sophistication
• Proven track record in delivering results across capital market policy and regulatory support, capital market product development initiative, transaction support interventions, and the provision of technical assistance
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders at leadership or specialist level
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify market opportunities, and design impactful solutions.
• Understanding of the development world and strategically impactful programming in the financial sector (preferred)

• Ensure regular engagement with other experts & decision makers in African countries to understand the strategic priorities for the development of capital markets
• Lead FSD Africa’s research into the area of specialism developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the financial systems in Africa and how to leverage beneficial change
• Pay attention to personal professional development and learning to remain an expert in Financial Markets
• Lead the development of strategy for the Financial Markets pillar; ensuring that insights in the area of specialism are incorporated into the design and development of relevant theories of change
• Identify a portfolio of projects in the area of specialism that will enable us to have a transformative impact on the market; aligned to donor strategies and FSD Africa market development goals
• Lead the development of tools, methodologies, and approaches (IP) which will guide the team and stakeholders in implementing best practice in capital market development
• Conceptualise, design and write investment proposals including results measurement and risk management frameworks
• Following approval, develop detailed implementation plans; including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required
• Ensure the effective implementation of projects so that project milestones are achieved on time and to standard
• Lead monitoring, results management, and learning for all projects being implemented; ensuring objective analysis of results and appropriate corrective actions as required to optimise FSD Africa’s beneficial impact
• Provide high quality technical advice and support to implementing partners, consultants and other project stakeholders
• Ensure comprehensive and timely communication with all project stakeholders
• Identify opportunities for fundraising and co-funding for the work of FSD Africa & support with proposal development and project design conceptualisation
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities ensuring cost effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets
• Ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met and that good relationships with funders are maintained at all times
• Take the lead in stakeholder mapping for the projects/programmes under your portfolio, identifying key decision makers / power brokers and develop innovative ideas for influencing them and/or transforming their mindsets
• Design and publish industry thought-leadership materials, particularly in the area of specialism
• Contribute to the development and implementation of FSD Africa’s Communications Plan, building FSD Africa’s web presence, supporting thought leadership activities (publications, briefing notes, case studies, conference presentations), co-ordinating events, seminars etc.; establish us as a leading voice in capital market development thinking and knowledge
• Participate in networking events and/or convene stakeholders in order to build awareness and influence the thinking around how the area of specialism contributes to capital market development
• Ensure appropriate selection of partners; ensuring optimal combinations of partners to bring out their synergies for the programmes e.g., political economy, due diligence, influence, etc.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders in chosen implementing partners, leveraging new opportunities that may arise and dealing promptly with relationship difficulties
• Engage partners in joint strategising and the development of projects that will leverage change and have a positive impact on capital markets development
• Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of projects with diverse scopes, significant complexity, and high conceptual sophistication
• Proven track record in delivering results across capital market policy and regulatory support, capital market product development initiative, transaction support interventions, and the provision of technical assistance
• Track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders at leadership or specialist level
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify market opportunities, and design impactful solutions.
• Understanding of the development world and strategically impactful programming in the financial sector (preferred)
• Exceptional skills in written and spoken English.

• Masters degree and 11 years of experience or Bachelors Degree and 12 years of relevant experience including at a senior level, in a financial markets environment.
• Exceptional skills in written and spoken English.