Analyst, Technical Assistance Job AgDevCo

Project Management Jobs, AgDevCo Jobs.

Specific responsibilities

The role involves a mix of analytical, communications and administrative responsibilities:

Analytical responsibilities

• Assisting and collaborating with other colleagues and investees, to develop TA project concept notes and budgets for consideration by AgDevCo’s Executive Committee (EC) and Technical Assistance Committee (TAC).
• Working with AgDevCo’s investment teams, analyse investees’ abilities to take on TA programmes – which may include conducting detailed assessments of past performance, analysis of opportunities, forecasting of financial performance and assessment of management capabilities.
• Working with and reporting directly to the Head of TAF, develop AgDevCo’s in-house specialist expertise in smallholder agricultural and value chain development. This will be done through on-the-job learning, as well as through networking with likeminded partner organisations, attending industry events and pursuing relevant external training.
• Conduct market and macro-economic research to support TAF project/ programme decisions. Undertake other desk-based analysis across a range of issues to inform project-based discussions, internal brainstorming, reports, and slide decks.
• Prepare and present TAF materials for consideration by AgDevCo’s Senior Management Team, Board of Directors, EC, TAC, as well as third party investors and partners.
• Act as a sounding board within the TAF team on issues of TAF programme delivery.
• Compile evidence and draft aspects of key reports for TAF funders’ and governing bodies’ reporting processes.
• Manage impact monitoring and reporting for specific TAF projects/ programmes, as well as overall integration across the TAF portfolio for comparison against impact targets.
• Advise other AgDevCo teams on the use of appropriate TAF templates and models, and ensure that they adhere to them.

Communications responsibilities

• Develop and help to deliver the TAF’s knowledge sharing plan and programme of work.
• Coordinate and, from time to time, play a leading role in the delivery of periodic online knowledge-sharing webinars – including through contributing to the development of webinars’ programmes, coordinating panellists, distributing invitations, coordinating registrations, and overall ensuring the smooth running of the events themselves.

Project management responsibilities

• Project management of approved TA projects ensuring adherence to agreed budgets, timelines and key performance indicators (KPIs). This includes direct engagement with investee representatives.
• Collect and review KPI and budget reconciliation data on a semi-annual basis.
• Identify and discuss any required project amendments or budget reallocations with the Head of TAF.
• Inform the wider TAF team on project progress, lessons learned/challenges, and identify potential solutions for team discussion.

Administrative responsibilities

• Support grant administration, including by developing and managing grant agreements and project-specific budget reporting.
• Coordinate the development of a database of TAF pipeline and TAF contractors and suppliers, and support the TAF team with the renewal, extension, and termination of contracts as need be.
• Provide general support for the day-to-day running and development of the company and team. This is likely to include drafting meeting minutes from time to time, including for meetings of AgDevCo’s EC and TAC; as well as other governance support, such as support for the coordination of TAC meetings.

Requirements

Interested candidates that meet the following requirements should consider applying:

Essential

• The right to work in South Africa, Kenya or Ghana without the need for sponsorship.
• Strong academics (2:1 equivalent or above), with preference for a postgraduate degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or another relevant discipline.
• At least 2-3 years’ experience of either (i) working in a related role in a technical assistance facility, development finance institution, impact investor, or civil society organisation; or (ii) relevant advisory/ consulting project experience in a high-calibre and international environment.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, as well as excellent quantitative skills. They will be expected to offer experience of conducting cost-benefit analyses and should we comfortable working with formulas in Excel. Shortlisted candidates will have their quantitative skills tested as part of the recruitment process.
• Excellent written skills, including an ability to take complex analysis and summarise its key take-aways in a structured and succinct manner. Candidates will also offer the skillset and attention to detail required to prepare high-quality board-level documents. Shortlisted candidates will complete a writing exercise as part of the recruitment process.
• Fluency in English and excellent relationship management, presentation, and communication skills. Candidates should have the interpersonal skills required to engage an audience. Candidates must be comfortable with presenting technical material to board-level committees, as well as external partners.
• Some understanding of corporate and project finance, and of the impact of concessional finance in building, sustaining and distorting markets.
• Some understanding of the challenges involved in: (i) agricultural development, (ii) private sector-led development, and (ii) doing business in sub-Saharan Africa.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to identify opportunities and new initiatives and develop them with others into reality. Candidates will also be self-starters that can work independently and proactively, as well as part of a team. We are looking for individuals with the humility, patience and good humour required to make strong team players.

Desirable

• experience of living and/or working in a developing country context.
• In addition to English, speaking proficiency in French, Portuguese, or Swahili (i.e., to a conversational level).
• experience of working on issues of agricultural development/ food security/ nutrition and private sector development in emerging markets, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How to Apply

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