Africa Programmes Director Job Description

Transcription

1 Africa Programmes Director Job Description About Gatsby In 1967 David Sainsbury (now Lord Sainsbury of Turville) set up the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. He has since given Gatsby more than 1 billion to invest in charitable causes. Gatsby is currently active in six areas: Plant science research; Neuroscience research; Science and engineering education; Economic development in Africa; Public policy research and advice; and The Arts. These reflect David Sainsbury s interests and also draw from his professional experience. More information on the breadth of activities funded by Gatsby can be found on our website: Gatsby s work in Africa Gatsby has funded programmes in Africa since The underlying objective has been to help drive sustainable economic growth to create jobs and raise incomes for poor people. Work has focused predominantly on agriculture, mainly within East Africa. Over the past six years Gatsby has evolved significantly, with our focus, level of ambition and operating model all changing. Whilst our work has scaled up, we now work on fewer programmes, but with greater ambition in each seeking to transform the growth and competitiveness of entire sectors. Our role has evolved from being mostly a funding organisation into one that is initiating, designing and implementing sector programmes, often co-funded with others. Our programmes include: Tanzanian Cotton: Restructuring the sector and building supportive markets to ensure farmers can access the quality inputs and training they need to improve agronomy and increase yields; Tanzanian Textiles: Seeking to deliver a more competitive textile and garments industry to provide employment and a demand pull for increased cotton production of higher quality; Tanzanian Forestry: Building on the existing growth in small-scale planting to deliver higher yields, better quality and enhanced incomes for tree growers; Kenyan Forestry: Improving the competitiveness and growth of small-scale commercial forestry, while increasing the participation of poor farmers and developing sustainable options for higher-value wood products and energy markets; Tanzanian Tea: Partnering with the Wood Foundation Africa (WFA) to increase cultivation, productivity, quality and returns to farmers by attracting investment and engaging commercial factories and government regulators; Rwandan Tea: Working with the WFA and other partners to build the sector, including through the purchase of two tea factories on behalf of farmers. We target sectors with the potential to be competitive, where growth will benefit large numbers of people, and where there is a strong opportunity for Gatsby to facilitate change by engaging political leaders and key sector players. We take an analytical and business-like approach, drawing on industry experts and using grants, loans or equity as appropriate. As a private foundation and funder-implementer we have the freedom to innovate and take risks and can adopt a patient and pragmatic approach, understanding that change can take time. We recognise the impact we can achieve alone is restricted, and often look to partner with others. We look to work with and through relevant sector institutions to ensure we build the necessary institutional capacity to manage the sector and maintain competitiveness after our involvement. Page 1 of 5

2 The degree of our involvement with government varies in each sector, but we believe governments can play an essential role in ensuring sectors have the required regulatory frameworks to incentivise private sector investment and create the right environment for growth. In addition, transformational change often challenges vested interests, requiring further political engagement. We use our extensive local networks and our settlor David Sainsbury s political experience and access to navigate such issues. The Team Gatsby Africa is a small, high-performing professional team of 13, mostly based in London with some staff now moving into programme roles in East Africa. The team is supported by high calibre sector specialists and experts both in the planning and implementation of our programmes. Our East Africa network comprises more than 200 people working on our programmes or on boards of the institutions we have started. This experienced network of senior African professional staff is key to guiding our programmes and navigating local issues. We also work with and through other legitimate local sector institutions, building their capacity to sustain activities after Gatsby s involvement ends. Our programmes also benefit from the direct involvement of David Sainsbury. Lord Sainsbury brings vast experience from both the private and public sector. He understands commercial pressures and challenges after working for more than 30 years - including six as Chairman - at the FTSE 100 retailer J Sainsbury plc. Furthermore, his time as the UK s Minister of Science and Innovation has given him a strong understanding of the role of government in catalysing growth. This Role Reporting to the Executive Director of Gatsby Africa, the Africa Programme Director will be a member of Gatsby Africa s senior management team which comprises two other Programme Directors, an Investment Director and an Operations Director (see organogram on final page). The successful applicant will be accountable for setting the strategic direction for large scale, complex sector development programmes and their subsequent design, implementation and monitoring. She/he will be able to draw on new ideas to enhance programme design and performance, testing out innovations whenever feasible and aligned to strategy. The Programme Director will represent the programmes at the highest levels and be responsible for ensuring successful programme delivery, outcomes and impact. She/he will establish excellent senior level relationships across the private sector, governments and donors in the region and draw on a wider network of actors in the private sector development sphere. The Programme Director will contribute to Gatsby Africa s thought leadership, drawing out critical lessons from our own work as well as identifying learning and good practice from others. This role can be based either in London or in East Africa. It will involve significant amounts of travel within the East Africa region. Key Responsibilities In collaboration with the Senior Management team, the Africa Programmes Director will: Oversee the management of existing large-scale sector development programmes in East Africa and the design and setting up of new programmes, from initial analysis and design of activities, through to effective implementation, learning and reporting. This will involve: Rapidly developing a sound knowledge of the relevant sector and the key private and public stakeholders Developing relationships with senior level business and government officials and funding or delivery partners to explore new initiatives and strategic partnerships and facilitate successful programme implementation Providing strategic, financial and operational oversight and monitoring of the programmes Page 2 of 5

3 Recruiting, managing and coaching senior programme staff, and identifying and contracting outside capacity and expertise where required Ensuring effective programme governance and reporting back to Gatsby Trustees Maintain and develop further a wide network of senior level contacts engaged in similar or relevant activities: Keeping abreast of the latest thinking and best practices Exploring new initiatives and strategic partnerships Identifying and sharing learning Contributing to Gatsby Africa thought leadership Contribute to setting the strategic direction for Gatsby s work in East Africa and play a leading role in the organisational development of Gatsby Africa Person Specification Experience Substantial operational management experience leading economic development programmes and/or transferable private sector consulting experience In-depth exposure to market systems approaches, ideally leading sector development programmes Substantial experience working at senior levels in low/middle income countries in Africa, and with experience across public, private and NGO sectors Proven experience of building relationships and the ability to engage at very senior levels of business and government Proven experience of successfully designing, leading and managing business/programme operations with multiple stakeholders Successfully managing, coaching and professionally developing team members working within a complex, fast-paced professional environment A commitment to African development and an understanding of the development landscape Skills Excellent judgement, with the ability to think through different courses of action and make pragmatic, practical decisions Innovative and strategic thinking ability, especially around market systems and the process to develop economic sectors. Thinks analytically and laterally to provide innovative solutions to challenges Well-honed leadership and management skills, successfully managing teams to translate ideas into actions Excellent interpersonal skills. A genuine team-player with strong listening, negotiating and persuasive skills. Able to build a strong rapport, establish relationships quickly and work effectively with other individuals and organisations Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English essential; working knowledge of Kiswahili a significant advantage Well-rounded general analytical skills, including research and monitoring and evaluation skills Shows integrity, professionalism and empathy with the mission and values of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation Page 3 of 5

4 Qualifications Educated to Master s degree level with some study of Business Administration, Economics and/or International Development. Salary and benefits 70,000+ per annum plus a competitive benefits package. For expatriates based in East Africa, an overseas placement package is available. How to apply Gatsby is being supported by Oxford HR for this recruitment. All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, please complete Oxford HR s online application form available through and submit the following information: An up-to-date curriculum vitae/resume (of no more than 2-3 pages) A detailed statement (of no more than 2 pages) explaining why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you suitable. (We suggest you look at the Blog - Help for Candidates on the Oxford HR website for hints on how to write a successful statement.) The Oxford HR Online Form provides us with the key information we will need to take your application through to interview. Please note that this form includes Oxford HR s Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. You are under no obligation to complete this. Any information you do provide will only be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, and will remain confidential. It will not be used as part of the selection process. The documents should be saved in Word in the following format: Your First Name, Your Last Name, Document Name, and Date (yymm) e.g.: Pat-Jones-CV-1411 Pat-Jones-Statement-1411 Please state clearly which post you are applying for. The above information should be sent to Karen Twining and Eleanor Greer of Oxford HR Consultants by uploading online or by to gatsby-pd@oxfordhr.co.uk Applications are welcome until the deadline of Monday 24 th November 2014 (by midnight GMT). Oxford HR will acknowledge all applications and then inform candidates of their status once the Gatsby Charitable Foundation has agreed a long-list of candidates. These candidates will be invited to participate in a preliminary interview (by telephone/skype) with Oxford HR, which will take place from mid-december. A shortlist of candidates will then be selected and invited to interviews with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation in January Please note that candidates for the Africa Programmes Director post who wish to be based in London must have the right to work in the UK. This includes EU and EAA citizens, and permanent residents with indefinite leave to remain. Please check the UK Border agency website for clarification: Equality Statement Equality and diversity are at the core of The Gatsby Charitable Foundation s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. Page 4 of 5

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