Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Head of Gender’s primary mission is to strengthen and elevate AECF’s standing as a leading authority and practitioner in gender and economic empowerment for women and youth across Africa. Building on AECF’s proven track record and strong reputation, this role is responsible for spearheading the creation of innovative gender-focused initiatives, programs, and partnerships. The Head of Gender will play a pivotal role in positioning AECF as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the field, driving the growth and transformative impact of gender empowerment efforts across all areas of the organization. This diverse and high-impact role involves collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including the CEO, while leading AECF’s dynamic and rapidly expanding Gender team, which operates across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Role Responsibilities:

• Develop and mainstream the implementation and integration of AECF’s Gender Strategy including working closely with teams across AECF to ensure that AECF’s gender lens investing offering is fully embedded across all systems, governance documents, and operating procedures; ensure effective rollout of key products developed by the team including those related to training and capacity building, tools; and manage internal;/external communications
• Provide technical leadership and steer processes for gender transformative quality assurance in the entire program cycle
• Provide technical advisory support and oversight of all internal working groups to ensure that all gender mainstreaming initiatives are aligned with AECF’s Gender Lens Investing agenda.
• Identify resources and networks that can be accessed for AECF’s knowledge building
• Manage documentation and sharing of knowledge about current and emerging gender mainstreaming concerns and trends, document lessons learned and best practices as well as replicable strategies and approaches to promote evidence-based programming
• Conduct research and contribute to drafting proposals and concept notes of innovative and cutting-edge vehicles to tackle gender inequalities in the AECF portfolio and empower rural women in their entrepreneurial journey
• Stand as a key account manager for relationships with the gender lens investing ecosystem of funders, like-minded institutions, and partners

Requirements:

• At least 10 years of similar gender experience within private sector, regional or international organization
• Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration and monitoring for Gender
• A deep understanding of women economic empowerment and gender-lens investing space in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as understanding of dynamics and key sectors operating in rural economies (particularly Agribusiness and Renewables) in sub-Saharan Africa
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to prepare proposals, reports and concept papers to a high level of proficiency
• Experience working in an international team and proven ability to deliver in a complex environment with multiple, divergent stakeholder interests
• Fluency in English is essential. French is an added advantage