Finance Manager

Written by AECF

About the role

The Finance Manager(FM) will report to the Associate Director of Finance (ADF) and will be a part of the core finance team at AECF, responsible for overall financial management. The position holder will assist the Associate Director of Finance in ensuring the organization’s financial health and supporting sound management decisions.

Key responsibilities

  • Support the financial planning and budgeting process, both proposal and institutional budgets. This involves collaborating with project managers and departmental heads to develop budgets that align with the organization’s strategic objectives and donor requirements.
  • Implement appropriate budgetary controls to meet targets without exceeding budget allocations.
  • Ensure timely preparation and review of donor financial reports and management accounts.
  • Convene monthly meetings to review and address issues arising from program financial reports and management accounts.
  • Responsible for continuous engagement with program teams to ensure an in-depth understanding of the donor regulations, budgets, and reporting requirements.
  • Support in the management of institutional and donor-specific audits.
  • Oversee cash flow management to support routine and annual financial commitments.
  • Review payments to ensure that they are properly supported and adhere to established internal controls.
  • Ensure compliance with the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including tax laws and donor stipulations.
  • Review journals, ensuring that proposed entries are accurate and properly supported.
  • Staff supervision and continuous capacity building.

Suitable candidates should:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree in economics, Statistics, Commerce, or Finance from a recognized university.
  • Have professional qualifications in Finance (CPA, ACCA) or a related field.
  • Be able to demonstrate progression in finance leadership and supervisory roles with at least eight (8) years of experience managing the finances of an international non-profit organization, preferably with bilateral donors.
  • Have strong proficiency in advanced Excel features.
  • It will be an added advantage if you can demonstrate familiarity with data query/management tools (Access, SQL, Business Objects).
  • Have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
  • Be fluent in English. Proficiency in additional languages, e.g., French, is an added advantage.

How to apply

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

If you believe you meet the criteria for the role, register and apply at https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org. Your application must be received by 7 May 2025 to be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Associate Director – Finance

Written by AECF

The role

The Associate Director of Finance will balance strategic oversight with the day-to-day intricacies of financial management. The incumbent will shape and enhance AECF’s financial infrastructure to expand the capacity to manage grants and commercial lending. This role will support the modeling and raising of grant funding and commercial capital.

The ADF role is an opportunity for a leader who thrives on building systems that marry innovation with accountability. The ideal candidate should possess experience in financial management in both donor-funded programs and commercial lending.

Key responsibilities

Strategic financial leadership

  • Serve as a key member of the management team, collaborating with the leadership to define and execute the organization’s long-term strategy.
  • Partner with the Director of Finance & Operations to ensure seamless alignment between strategic vision and day-to-day financial management, fostering a high-performing and collaborative finance team.
  • Drive financial scenario planning, risk assessment, and decision-making to position AECF for sustainable growth and impact.
  • Ensure financial systems and staffing are equipped to support expansion, new programs, and operational complexity.

Financial management and planning

  • Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and that compliance with IFRS and all applicable laws and rules for financial and tax reporting is maintained.
  • Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance & Accounting functions of AECF.
  • Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, and financial trends to assist the Board and senior management team in executing their responsibilities and ensuring that all tax, audit, and compliance aspects are addressed in a timely manner.
  • Oversee budget management, ensuring targets are met without exceeding budget allocations, and develop procedures to measure cost-effectiveness, including variance reporting.
  • Ensure AECF’s compliance with relevant accounting standards and reporting in AECF’s countries of operation.
  • Oversee the company’s transaction processing systems, monitoring cash balances, developing
  • Cash projection processes and providing timely financial information and reports.
  • Ensure timely, accurate, and transparent financial reporting to donors and other partners as required.
  • Oversee the production of cash flow reports, annual budgets, and forecasts.
  • Develop financial and tax strategies, together with performance measures and monitoring.
  • Support the acquisition of capital assets and ensure that assets are properly recorded, amortized, and disposed of as appropriate.
  • Management of the Finance team and accountability for its performance and decisions

Support to investments team

  • Engage and partner actively with the investments team as they identify opportunities to expand funding sources, modeling and designing funding structures that align financial strategies with fundraising goals.
  • Conduct financial modeling for strategic projects and initiatives to support data-driven decision-making.
  • Develop and model financial structures for grants and other forms of capital, ensuring alignment with programmatic, operational, and development needs and providing strategic insights to optimize funding allocations.
  • Working with the head of investments, managing the investment fund’s cash flow, ensuring sufficient liquidity, and optimizing investment strategies
  • Track and analyze the performance of debt investments, providing insights and recommendations to the investments and management team.

Required qualifications, experience, and skills

  • Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification e.g. ACCA, CFA, or equivalent, will be an added advantage
  • Over 10 years of working experience in a senior role, including responsibility for financial management and control, which should include experience in both commercial lending (debt fund) and donor-funded environments.
  • An understanding of various debt fund structures and experience in instruments such as loans and quasi-equity.
  • Ability to analyze financial data, identify trends, and make sound financial decisions.
  • Knowledge of donor compliance and reporting processes, specifically bilateral donors.
  • Experience building and maintaining relationships with investors and lenders.
  • Ability to engage with a diverse range of teams and partners and comfortable building strong working relationships.
  • Ability to create a strong vision for the team and inspire others to greater performance, professional standards, and results.
  • Fluency in English, with French being desirable.

How to apply

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, 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 can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the role, register and apply at https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org. To be considered, your application must be received by 30 April 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Chief of Staff & Associate Director Strategy

Written by AECF

About the role

The Chief of Staff and Associate Director of Strategy will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of the organization’s overall strategic vision. This includes identifying key growth areas, overseeing market analysis, and ensuring alignment between programs and the AECF’s long-term goals. The team will often collaborate closely with senior leadership to drive impactful initiatives across the sub-Saharan region. This will require extensive experience in private sector development, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of African markets and challenges.

This is a strategic role that requires an analytical and structured thinker to provide support and strategy through partnership with the CEO. The incumbent will be the connector and conduit between senior leadership, employees, and key stakeholders to help support the CEO’s organizational mandate of achieving our strategic objectives.

The role will report to the CEO.

Key responsibilities

Thought partner

  • Support high-stakes decision-making by conducting scenario analysis and evaluating strategic trade-offs.
  • Act as a strategic thought partner and thought provider to the CEO and be a sounding board to the ExCO team.
  • Develop a good understanding of current business and sectoral issues and be able to provide timely insights, analysis, and advice to the CEO.
  • Curate strategic insights from industry trends, market dynamics, and competitive intelligence
  • Coordinate and partner with others to drive an effective cadence of functional operating meetings, including ExCO, town halls, and strategy reviews.
  • Play an active role in the development and implementation of tools and resources to improve efficiency across all AECF’s processes, systems, programs, and initiatives.
  • Support the CEO’s participation in internal and external high-stake meetings and stakeholder engagements.
  • Identify areas of change for better delivery and support change management plans.

Strategy advisory and planning

  • Lead periodic comprehensive reviews of the corporate strategy to ensure AECF can incorporate emerging trends and lessons and iterate as necessary while actively managing any issues that could affect its successful implementation.
  • Design, prioritize, and lead the implementation of key strategic initiatives and special projects, working closely with a wide range of cross-functional partners (Sectoral Teams, Operations Team, Donors, etc.).
  • Work closely with the executive team to develop, iterate, and pursue the execution of strategic priorities to realize our organizational strategic goals.
  • Establish a clear rhythm of business across the organization to ensure the strategy’s realization is in alignment with the organization’s values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, and valuing people.
  • Lead and support the executive team in aligning the communication of strategic priorities and direction to all staff and stakeholders.
  • Help develop and drive an innovative plan, establishing clear processes for generating and implementing new and relevant ideas.

Communication and stakeholder engagement

  • Act as a liaison between the CEO, leadership team, and key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Prepare briefing materials for the CEO’s meetings, ensuring they are well-informed and strategically positioned.
  • Represent the CEO in meetings, ensuring consistent messaging and strategic alignment.

Required qualifications, experience, and attributes

  • A master’s degree in business administration or a related field.
  • +10 years of experience in strategy consulting, strategy/business intelligence, or international development.
  • An ability to “take the lead” rather than waiting to receive the lead and still collaborate. An ability to speak up when disagreeing and share your knowledge and perspective.
  • Successfully served as Chief of Staff or Strategy Lead in a mid-sized organization within the impact investing space.
  • You’re solutions-oriented, using data to drive decisions and turning ideas into actionable initiatives that resonate with stakeholders.
  • You thrive in fast-paced environments, expertly managing multiple projects while focusing on priorities and deadlines.
  •  An excellent communicator, both in writing and speaking, with fluency in English. Knowing French would be a fantastic plus.
  • Highly organized and analytical, with a talent for strategic thinking and problem-solving
  • Great at building strong, collaborative relationships with senior leaders, peers, and team members at all levels.
  • Enjoys managing teams toward outcomes that matter. Leads with clarity and trust.
  • Self-reflective and aligned with AECF values.

How to apply

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

See the full job description on our website. If you meet the criteria for the role, register and apply at https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org. Your application must be received by April 30th, 2025, to be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Senior Portfolio Officer

Written by AECF

Job summary

The Senior Portfolio Officer will be responsible for supporting the management of the Investing in Women Nigeria Program, an investment designed to support women-owned and women-led enterprises, cooperatives, and women’s groups, which is funded by Global Affairs Canada. They will provide technical and grants management support to a portfolio of investments in small and medium-sized enterprises and women’s cooperatives in the agriculture sector in Kano, Nigeria.

The incumbent will be expected to work flexibly and collegially in processing grants, managing relations with investees, supervising the implementation of investment contracts, reporting to management and external donor partners, and coordinating technical assistance. The role holder is expected to have the right experience in the agriculture value chain analysis, cooperative engagement, and development.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the portfolio construction including promoting competitions, developing scoring criteria, assessing applications, drafting and presenting investment memos to both the internal and external investment committees.
  • Accompany investees throughout the implementation, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and adherence to AECF’s grant implementation principles.
  • Maintain strong working relations with investees (and service providers) professionally and efficiently to ensure value for money, and to minimize the potential for fraud, inefficiency and waste.
  • Conduct regular monitoring of grant implementation to track milestones, compliance, timelines and deliverables including the analysis of periodic reports and provision of feedback to investees, and regular site visits to investees.
  • Analyze fund disbursement requests in a timely manner and make recommendations.
  • Prepare regular reports on grantee performance, identify any significant deviations or delays to planned grant implementation, propose recommended courses of action, and in consultation with relevant colleagues, work with investees to meet their performance obligations.
  • Ensure all investee site visits are conducted on a periodic basis, as per the agreed site visit schedule.
  • Coordinate the identification of investees who require technical assistance.
  • Ensure legal review and opinion on investments that require the legal department’s review.
  • Contribute to the development of periodic management and donor reports.
  • Contribute to proposal development for various potential program areas.
  • Actively contribute to the portfolio learning agenda in alignment with AECF’s broader learning goals (in collaboration with the Impact, Knowledge, and Insights teams) to enhance the Fund’s reputation and capabilities, drive systemic change in relevant market systems across Africa, and support advocacy initiatives.
  • Foster ongoing improvement of the portfolio through insights gained from continuous learning.
  • Ensure compliance with internal controls and risk management of the portfolio by the broader AECF Limited Management Framework.
  • Implement the programme risk and mitigation framework, aligning with the overall AECF Risk and Compliance Management Framework.

Suitable candidates should

  • A bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, international development, social sciences, development finance, or a related field.
  • Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in portfolio or investment management, including experience with financial and operational due diligence of early or growth-stage businesses.
  • Have experience in Agribusiness value chain analysis, co-operatives engagement and development
  • Experience in private sector led development, sustainable finance, value chains strengthening or economic diversification .
  • Extensive experience of investment, grant-making, due diligence processes and grant management in the renewable energy sector.
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of program design and development, project cycle management, and financial budgeting and reporting.
  • Hold a professional accounting qualification e.g., ACCA, will be an added advantage.
  • Have experience working with SMEs and financial intermediaries working with micro and small businesses.
  • Experience with gender lens investing will be a distinct added advantage.
  • Have demonstrated organizational and project management skills.
  • Have an understanding of the donor landscape and demands of international development.
  • Have excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to prepare investment/grant memos, proposals, and reports to a high level of proficiency.
  • Have a high degree of initiative and energy, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail.
  • Fluency in written and oral English and Hausa languages.

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, you can apply at https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org. Your application must be received by 7th May 2025 to be considered.

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