Country Program Lead at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

Purpose of the Role

• The Lead– Nigeria ETCF is responsible for the overall management, accountability, and implementation of the ETCF Programme. The role holder is responsible for building and leading a team that will implement ETCF. This includes planning, budgeting and execution of activities, monitoring and reporting, relationship management with key stakeholders, and stakeholder engagement. As the team leader, the role holder will provide technical backstopping to the team to ensure overall productivity, operational excellence, and quality delivery of ETCF.
• The Nigeria ETCF Lead will oversee strategic direction and support for ETCF implementation, manage and supervise human resources, foster relationships with KfW and the Nigerian government, and ensure the quality and timely delivery of all required deliverables.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of the Nigeria Energy Transition Challenge Fund (ETCF), overseeing all aspects of its development and implementation, ensuring it meets donor and government requirements.
• Foster stakeholder collaboration in Nigeria by developing and implementing strategies to engage stakeholders and ensure all parties work effectively together for the delivery of the program.
• Manage the pre-implementation activities of ETCF leading to the successful launch of the initiative. This will include a review of the market assessment, oversight of the operations manual, and alignment on communications materials with the rest of the stakeholders of the project.
• Portfolio Construction: Develop and coordinate the construction of an ETCF portfolio that will best deliver the required impact.
• Oversee the ETCF budget and ensure responsible financial management and compliance with donor guidelines.
• Monitor and evaluate program performance to ensure effective performance in line with the performance management framework of the program.
• Integrate ETCF portfolio M&E learnings into AECF's wider strategy to improve portfolio quality, enhance the initiative’s reputation, and promote systemic change in African markets.
• Provide leadership and direction to the team responsible for the ETCF's success in Nigeria.
• Provide technical leadership in Business Development (partnerships) efforts of AECF in the Renewable energy sector in Nigeria.
• Ensure that the ETCF program is fully compliant with the funding partner guidelines as outlined in the funding agreement.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Energy, Economics, Rural Development, Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, or any related studies. Certification in project management is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in program management with 5 years at a senior level in the Renewable Energy and Climate Technologies sector or similar/related role.
• A broad network amongst public and private sector players in the energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency sectors.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies, particularly within the Nigerian context.
• Strong understanding and practical experience in project cycle management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting at a high level.
• Experience in implementing Results Based Financing (RBF) projects for the private sector, preferably in the energy sector.
• A deep understanding of the clean energy sector including knowledge of the complex renewable energy landscape (regulatory, legal, technical, financial, social) in Nigeria.
• Experience and/or good understanding of productive uses of energy solutions, captive use of energy in commercial and industrial space and institutions, and energy efficiency within the Nigerian context.
• Experience and/or a good understanding of German Development Cooperation with the Nigerian Government is desirable, particularly in the renewable energy and energy efficiency space.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with high-level stakeholders.