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Director of Finance and Administration, USAID Kenya Private Sector Activity

Project Overview and Role:

 The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.

 The Director of Finance and Administration will provide a crucial link between the technical and support functions (finance, administration, HR, operations, security, compliance, etc) within the project to ensure that USAID, corporate, and project policies are followed in all aspects of program implementation. He/she has responsibility for oversight of the finance and operations teams and is a member of the project leadership team.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Role and Responsibilities:

  •  Oversee program operations, including but not limited to human resources, logistics, procurement, sub-contracts or sub-awards, and accounting/finance
  •  Develop internal control measures, conduct internal financial audits, and coordinate external financial audits
  •  Prepare budgets for annual work plans and financial reports for USAID
  •  Ensure the accurate tracking and recording of project expenditures and financial reports
  •  Liaise and provide support to grants and innovation team in the implementation of grants
  •  Ensure close integration between the operations and technical teams of KPSA
  •  Guide and assist accountants and other program staff in preparing, revising, and monitoring budgets for ongoing activities
  •  Ensure compliance with USAID and GOK VAT exemption and reimbursement procedures, including timely submission of procurement plans, DA-1s and all other administrative actions required
  •  Manage the financial operations and financial reporting of the project, providing guidance and technical assistance to financial management personnel

Position Requirements:

  •  Degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field with international business management, accounting, and/or auditing experience
  •  At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, finance, or business management with a recognized organization, preferably for USAID
  •  Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements
  •  Demonstrated ability to develop and manage large budgets, and in-depth knowledge of accounting principles
  •  Experience in managing staff for USAID-funded programs of a similar size
  •  Progressively responsible experience supervising project operations, including human resources, procurement, and sub-contracts or sub-awards
  •  Prior experience in a management role on a USAID funded program highly desired
  •  Demonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with various stakeholders and grant awardees
  •  Knowledge of local labor and tax laws and reporting procedures
  •  Written and spoken fluency in English is required

Blended Finance Director

Project Overview and Role:

The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.

 The Blended Finance Director will design KPSA’s blended finance work plan and strategy to integrate blended finance across range of technical activities and provide technical leadership on strategies to increase access to blended finance among Inclusive Growth Partners.

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Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Define KPSA’s blended finance workplan and strategy to integrate blended finance across a range of technical activities
  • Design a blended finance facility that combines grant funding with a diverse mix of capital to catalyze business growth
  • Provide technical leadership on strategy to increase access to blended finance amongst new and existing businesses
  • Present KPSA’ blended finance services activities in meetings with public and private sector actors including GoK, non-governmental organizations, business associations, among others
  • Supervise implementing partners, sub-contractors, and grantees as they undertake tasks relating to blended finance services
  • Develop a comprehensive inventory of sources and mechanisms for blended finance and capital investment that best align with programmatic foci in Kenya
  • Travel to various regions of Kenya as needed
  • Any and all other project-related tasks as required by the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and Palladium HQ

Position Requirements:

  • Advanced knowledge of blended finance, financial services providers, and investors in Kenya
  • Robust networks within the Kenyan financial sector and development finance space
  • Proven track record improving businesses’ access to finance, connecting businesses with potential investors, and improving business finance services
  • Experience designing and managing blended finance facilities targeted at the agricultural sector
  • Experience working on USAID or other donor-funded programs of a similar size
  • Excellent communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred
  • Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred
  • Kenyan candidates are preferred
  • Written and oral proficiency in English required

Director, Financial Institutions (FIs)

Position Overview and Role:

The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.

The Director, Financial Institutions will lead project activities regarding Kenyan FIs and ensure that targeted support to FIs facilitate inclusive growth, especially related to Inclusive Growth Partners and their supply chains.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Define Kenya’s KPSA strategy to deliver innovative, alternative financial products/services, and expand growth of financial institutions related to Kenya’s agricultural sector
  • Provide technical leadership to increase access to tailored financial products and stimulate the local market for private equity and blended finance instruments. This may include overseeing the provision of technical assistance to financial services providers (banks and non-bank intermediaries) to enhance their products and services, and private equity funds to help them mobilize capital from local and international financial institutions and investors
  • Represent KPSA’s FI activities in meetings with public and private sector actors including GoK, non-governmental organizations, business associations, among others
  • Supervise implementing partners, sub-contractors, and grantees as they undertake tasks relating to expanding and supporting FIs
  • Travel to various regions of Kenya as needed
  • Any and all other project-related tasks as required by the Chief of Party and Palladium HQ

Position Requirements:

  • Advanced knowledge of the financial sector and financial institution interventions in Kenya, including key stakeholders and existing products and services
  • Robust networks within the Kenyan financial sector
  • Proven track record working with financial institutions and private equity funds to enhance their products and services, and to increase enterprises’ private equity funds’ access to capital from local and international institutions and investors
  • Experience working on USAID or other donor-funded programs of a similar size
  • Excellent communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred
  • Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred
  • Written and oral proficiency in English required

Guarantees Manager, USAID Kenya Private Sector Activity

Project Overview and Role:

 The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.

 The Guarantees Manager will support guarantee management with partner FIs to ensure maximum utilization and seek to overlap interventions with Inclusive Growth Partner business models. The Guarantees Manager will also support on-going implementation of the Kenya Credit Guarantee Scheme (KCGS) with a particular focus in expanding access to KCGS financing for SMEs in KPSA value chains and geographies.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Roles and Responsibilities:

  •  Conduct rapid review of financial institutions with DCA guarantees based on Palladium previous work to establish a strategy to address access to financing in targeted value chains
  •  Connect prospective investors with DCA guarantees to ensure risk is sufficiently mitigated to finance target value chain SMEs
  •  Analyze reasons for DCA under-utilization as well as success factors and develop methods to increase their utilization among Kenya’s financial institutions
  •  Seek opportunities to support KCGS including implementation of strategies to diversify loan recipients
  •  Identify and secure opportunities for Inclusive Growth Partners’ value chain actors to access financing via KCGS and DFC partner FIs guarantee products
  •  In collobaration with others in the Investment Team, support Fis to create financial products aligned with the supply chain finance needs of Inclusive Growth Partners
  •  Supervise the work of subcontractors on KIM working to provide technical assistance and training to financial institutions
  •  Lead conversations with USAID Kenya and DCA in Washington to negotiate changes to existing DCA guarantee instruments and how they can be modified to align with a changing Kenyan market
  •  Work with the Inclusive Growth Team to develop a pipeline of private sector firms whose loans could potentially be backed by DCA guarantees
  •  Monitor DCA utilization in the Kenyan market each quarter and report this information to USAID
  •  Develop and maintain a community of practice among financial institutions with DCAs to share lessons learned, highlight successes, and develop best practices

Position Requirements:

  •  Master’s Degree in a relevant subject (MBA, MA in Business, Economics, International Development, Agriculture, etc.) or a B.A. and 10+ years of similar experience
  •  Five years or more of work experience required in the finance and investment field
  •  Significant experience and/or exposure to USAID’s Development Credit Authority mechanism required
  •  Overall experience with loan guarantee mechanisms, financial inclusion services, and/or alternative financing schemes required
  •  Demonstrated experience providing training to financial sector actors required
  •  Excellent contacts within Kenyan international banking/investment fields
  •  Impeccable professional record and integrity
  •  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
  •  Local Kenyan candidates are preferred

Senior Grants and Partnerships Manager, USAID Kenya Private Sector Activity

Project Overview and Role:

 The Kenya Feed the Future Private Sector Activity (KPSA) is a $48 million, USAID-funded, Palladium implemented project that will accelerate inclusive economic growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural firms, health firms and other sectors. Using a systems approach, KPSA will provide a suite of customized, high-impact services that increase the productivity of firms such as SMEs, smallholders, Business Advisory Service Providers (BASPs) and Financial Institutions (FIs), increase market linkages, and mobilize finance to support targeted sectors. From 2024 – 2029, KPSA will use its Inclusive Growth Platform to mobilize $400 million in finance, create new jobs, increase exports and sales, and increase access to healthcare services.

 The Senior Grants and Partnerships Manager manages administration, compliance, and implementation procedures of subawards, complying with USAID regulations and Palladium policies.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Roles and Responsibilities:

  •  Manage grants administration, compliance and implementation procedures, and ensure compliance with USAID grants regulations, including procurement regulations
  •  Facilitate and coordinate technical design of innovative grant and partnership approaches to meet the technical strategies of the Inclusive Business Model, Financial Institutions and Business Advisory Service Providers teams
  •  Support designing and conducting grants solicitation and advertisements utilizing Palladium’s Pay for Results methodologies
  •  Support the design, planning, outreach, implementation, and maintenance of partnerships for KPSA, including with internal and external partners
  •  Manage grants commitments, taking into account probability-weighted pipelines and other tools to manage grant agreements against obligated amounts
  •  Ensure design of grants and partnerships are aligned with the project’s technical strategy and results-based methodology and in compliance with USAID rules and regulations
  •  Facilitate pre-award risk assessments of grantees and partnerships and the maintenance of meetings and workshops with partners
  •  In accordance with Palladium’s USAID-approved Grants Under Contract (GUC) manual, develop and execute all aspects of the GUC process, including development of the GUC manual
  •  Support designing, preparing, and negotiating partner strategies with internal staff and potential partners
  •  Assist in negotiating, in collaboration with Palladium HQ, grant terms and agreements, with potential grantees
  •  Facilitate and manage grants close out and final reporting
  •  Other tasks as deemed necessary

Position Requirements:

  •  Knowledge of USAID grants policies, procedures, and reporting requirements
  •  Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or a related field in international business management, finance, accounting and/or auditing experience
  •  Experience in managing grants under contract for USAID-funded programs of a similar size
  •  Experience in managing innovation grants, performance-based grants, or other mechanisms to algin performance incentives with an activity’s strategic objectives
  •  Experience in managing partnerships, interacting with stakeholders, collaborating on meetings and workshops, and overseeing partnership activities
  •  Prior experience in a management role on a USAID funded program highly desired
  •  Experience managing staff
  •  Demonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with various stakeholders and grant awardees
  •  Advanced knowledge of computers and MS Excel
  •  Local Kenyan candidates are preferred
  •  Written and oral proficiency in English required

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