Regional Managing Director - Rural Micro Finance Institution

A leading global commodity merchant and sustainable supply chain management company, is seeking an ambitious leader to drive the development of its MFI business in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Your goal will be to leverage our close network of 150,000 smallholder cocoa farmers, technology and existing product base (e.g. agrochemicals), to address financial services needs for our farmer base in a reliable, accessible and affordable manner. The successful candidate will work together with a strong team of senior operational, technical, SMS and technology managers to develop the business strategy and roll out of this new This company business initiative. The ideal candidate should have a depth of experience working in microfinance in rural settings in developing countries and an intimate understanding of the challenges facing MFI in this sector.

This is a fulltime position based in Ghana, also covering the Ivory Coast. Candidates must therefore be mobile and willing to travel extensively within Ghana and the West Africa Region. Fluent English and French is essential.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Regional MD MFI, you will be responsible for driving the MFI's growth and double- bottom line performance, providing leadership and strategic orientation to the staff and representing the MFI with key stakeholders. You will be accountable for the performance of the MFI, and report to the Board of Directors.

- Finalise the establishment of the Microfinance Institution

- Oversee the final steps towards registration and launch of operations

- Hire all necessary employees as per business plan

- Supervise the MIS implementation and kick- off

Strategic Planning & Business Development :

- Define the strategic orientation of the business and obtain approval from the Board

- Based on the approved strategy, develop annual and 4- year plans and budgets, incorporating inputs from the different divisions

- Monitor and control the implementation of these plans

- Set financial, operational and social performance targets to all departments

- Lead the business development (products and geographical outreach)

Funding & Relationship Management:

- Develop relationships with potential donors, investors and technical & financial partners

- Maintain strong and trustful relationships with partners and Board

- Identify and negotiate funding opportunities.

- Management and Governance

- Communicate regularly with the Board and participate actively in Board meetings

- Execute the Board's decisions and achieve business plan's targets

- Manage day- to- day operations with clear leadership and guidance through the Management team

- Set standards of risk management at all levels and ensure effective control and management oversight

- Develop a corporate culture around the key values of the MFI and cultivate high performance and motivation of staff

- Drive the financial sustainability and social performance of the business - Reporting

- Ensure quality information flow to the Board, investors, regulators, donors and other stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Post- graduate degree in business, finance or related field

- 8 15 years of experience in financial services, 5- 10 of which in senior management positions in microfinance, retail banking or similar financial services

- Broad knowledge of best practices in financial inclusion

- Excellent understanding of financial management and triggers of a business's financial performance

- Demonstrated experience in building and managing high performing teams

- Professional experience or regular exposure to West Africa and/or developing country

- Fully fluent in English and French

- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation, listening, cross- cultural)

- Team player, result oriented, self- starter

- Passionate about helping people out of poverty, regain hope, dignity, and the ability to support themselves and their families

- Highly flexible and creative in coping with stressful and frustrating situations; able to live, manage, and work cross- culturally in a developing world context with limited resources

- Geographically mobile and willing to travel within the West Africa Region

- Eager to work in a start- up environment, with its challenges and contingencies