About the role

The Country Program Lead- Investments & Financial Institutions will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and implementation of the AECF program in Mali. The incumbent will oversee all on-the-ground program operations, manage the program team, and ensure the effective deployment of the program’s financing facility and technical assistance components.

This role will require strong experience in program management, investment and financial sector development, stakeholder engagement, and operating in complex and fragile environments.

The role holder will be responsible for delivering the program’s financial, operational, and development objectives while maintaining strong relationships with government partners, financial institutions, donors, and private-sector stakeholders.

The role will report to the Director of West Africa.

Key responsibilities

Program leadership and strategic management

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the IRIS program in Mali.
• Ensure effective implementation of all program components, including access to finance, technical assistance, and ecosystem strengthening.
• Manage program operations and ensure delivery of program objectives and results.
• Oversee the program’s annual work plans, budgets, and operational strategies.
• Ensure the program is implemented efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with donor and organizational requirements.

Management of the financing facility

• Oversee the deployment of the program’s concessional capital facility targeting financial institutions in Mali.
• Lead the identification and selection of partner financial institutions, including banks, microfinance institutions, and investment platforms.
• Oversee due diligence, investment structuring, and contracting with financial institutions.
• Monitor the performance of the financing facility, including capital deployment, portfolio performance, and recovery rates.
• Ensure the financing facility mobilizes additional lending to MSMEs and delivers the expected development impact.

Team leadership and management

• Build and manage the program team based in Mali.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and supervision to program staff.
• Ensure strong coordination between the investment, technical assistance, and monitoring teams.
• Oversee staff performance and ensure effective delivery of responsibilities.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Stakeholder engagement and partnerships

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including:
  • Financial institutions
  • Government ministries and regulatory bodies
  • Private sector organizations
  • Development partners
  • Donor representatives.
• Represent the program in high-level engagements, policy dialogue, and coordination platforms.
• Support efforts to strengthen the ecosystem for MSME financing and private sector development in Mali.

Program oversight, risk management, and compliance

• Ensure strong governance, risk management, and fiduciary oversight of program activities.
• Monitor operational, financial, and security risks related to program implementation.
• Ensure rigorous due diligence and monitoring of partner financial institutions.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and regulatory frameworks.

Monitoring, reporting, and impact delivery

• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation systems are implemented across the program.
• Track program results against key indicators, including:
  • MSMEs financed
  • Financing mobilized
  • Jobs created
  • Gender inclusion targets.
• Oversee the preparation of program reports for donors and organizational leadership.
• Ensure accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting on program performance.

Coordination with consortium partners

• Coordinate closely with consortium partners responsible for technical assistance and ecosystem strengthening activities.
• Ensure alignment between partners and effective collaboration in delivering program objectives.
• Participate in program governance structures, including steering committees and technical committees.

Qualifications and experience

Education

• Possess a master’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, development studies, or a related field.
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in international development, development finance, financial sector development, or investment management.
• Demonstrate experience managing large-scale development programs, working with financial institutions, MSME finance, and investment programs.
• Have experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams in Mali or strong familiarity with the Malian financial sector is highly desirable.
• Have experience working in blended finance and concessional financing mechanisms, investment structuring and portfolio management, risk management, and due diligence.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and team management capabilities, excellent negotiation and partnership-building skills, and the ability to operate effectively in complex environments.
• Be a strategic thinker with strong operational execution, strong judgment and problem-solving ability, a high level of integrity and accountability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Be fluent in French and English.

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 any fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or otherwise).

If you meet the criteria for the role, register and apply at https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org. Interviews will be on a rolling basis and will close once a suitable candidate is identified.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.