Head of Portfolio Operations

Country: Kenya

Organization: Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

Closing date: 16 May 2023

About US

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses to innovate, create jobs and leverage investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa. AECF’s goal is to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprise and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities. We provide patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments. To supplement finance, we also offer advisory services, investment support, and knowledge and insights.

AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting over 400 enterprises, impacting over 30 million lives.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya, with offices in Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania.

The Head of Portfolio Operations will be responsible for implementing and streamlining processes, policies and systems around delivery of AECF’s portfolio of programs and investment services. The incumbent will be accountable for the design of internal framework around processes and rhythm for portfolio and investments advisory delivery – from program inception, competitions (open call for applications), to due diligence, contracting and investee reporting. The role holder will work alongside the portfolio and investments advisory teams to design and onboard approved programs/investments. He/She will be the main point of contact for portfolio performance metrics and business partner with the portfolio, operations, and investments advisory teams for the effective execution and delivery of AECF programs and investment services.

The role will report to Director of Programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fully establish a Portfolio Operations Office (PMO) and lead the development and adoption of the common set of processes, standards, and templates for AECF’s programs.


• Manage the effective delivery of AECF’s competitions (open call, due diligence, investments review and decisioning, and contracting) taking lead as the middle office and ensuring complete documents are maintained.


• Ensure there are robust resource plans that consider capability and capacity requirements for current and upcoming programs.


• Coordinate operational start-up teams for new programs or projects.


• Set up structures for monitoring of internal program delivery metrics, for all stages of portfolio management.


• Maintain live portfolio metrics across the different AECF mandates – competitions, portfolio management, investment, advisory and fund administration.


• Work closely with Program Managers and Compliance team to track agreed milestones, budget variances to determine need for budget realignments.

Suitable Candidate should

• Hold a master’s degree or equivalent in business, finance, economics, sustainable development, or related field. Project Management qualifications e.g. PRINCE2 will be an added advantage.


• Possess at least ten (10) years of experience in program/project management, operational excellence or portfolio performance in a debt fund, financial institution or development institution providing capital to SMEs.


• Possess solid experience in project management, from designing, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.


• Have experience managing donor-funded programs/projects targeted in the private sector.


• Possess the ability to develop effective strategies based on analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality and creating tangible solutions.


• Be an excellent and visionary leader with great interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, impeccable integrity and good judgment.


• Be able to demonstrate a track record in stakeholder management – effectively partnering with the executive team, functional, program/investment leads and donors/investors.


• Possess a high degree of initiative and energy, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork and attention to detail.

How to apply

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered based on merit without regard to race, sex,

colour, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

AECF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training,

or any other fees).

If you believe, you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the role register and apply on:
https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org . To be considered, your application must be received by: 16th May 2023.

For more information, please visit our careers page on www.aecfafrica.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.