Managing Director - West Africa

About the role

The African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises (AGF) is a Pan-African non-bank financial institution providing guarantees and other products to reduce the risks of lending to SMEs with insufficient collateral. AGF West Africa is a wholly owned AGF subsidiary, created after the 2015 acquisition of the GARI Fund. The Managing Director reports to the Board of Directors, holds the mandate from it and is responsible for the technical, financial and administrative management of the Fund, representing it before third parties.

Key responsibilities

• Implement AGF Group strategies to achieve the Fund's goals and assist the Board in its governance function.
• Run the Fund according to applicable laws, regulations, the Articles of Association, internal regulations and Board guidelines.
• Lead the business, its geographical outreach and product development, ensuring planned growth and a sound return on investment within the Board's risk strategy.
• Forge strategic partnerships with actors in and outside Africa and act as the main ambassador for AGF West Africa.
• Manage human capital, including recruitment, operating procedures and a conducive working environment.
• Prepare the annual budget and report to the Board quarterly.
• Ensure statutory compliance and financial reporting, and audit the accounts with the group hierarchy, auditors and co-auditors.
• Promote AGF West Africa and its products and services to customers and stakeholders.

Required profile

• Master's degree in finance, business, economics or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in the financial sector, including 7 years in a senior management leadership role.
• Bilingual with excellent English and French.
• Experience with donor agencies (bilateral and multilateral) and the private sector; group experience is an advantage.
• Ability to travel frequently across ECOWAS countries and Mauritania.

Required skills

• Reporting and compliance with laws governing WAEMU financial institutions.
• Strong risk assessment and partnership-building skills.
• Technical understanding of guarantee products in an African context.
• Leadership, communication and representation skills.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and benefits.