Exciting opportunity at a "client-centered microfinance" organization in Kenya

My friend who founded the One Acre Fund, one of the best examples I know of "client-centered microfinance" organizations in Kenya, is now looking for a partner to prepare the ground for taking the organization to the next level of innovation and growth. He says, "here in Kenya, the unrest is largely finished and things are back to normal." Hope everything will be under control soon .

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Company: One Acre Fund

Job Title: Director of Program Innovation

Description: The Director of Program Innovation is the first “major” full-time hire for the organization, and will be essentially a partner to the founder, in laying the organization's foundation. One Acre Fund's day-to-day operations are currently run by 30+ (growing quickly) local field staff; the Director conversely, will be responsible for new program innovation and for laying infrastructure for long-term growth.

The Director will:

• Manage teams to execute 4-8 “consulting-style” program innovations at any given time – including new model configurations in new districts, and model improvements in existing districts
• Manage both country-staff and American management-level interns in the execution of these innovations
• Mentor, develop, and hire new local personnel to staff any innovations that are successful

Example innovations include:

• Model innovations: experimenting with new field programs, starting up new mini-companies to support our operations, new performance management procedures, new crop trials, etc.
• New districts launches, under new program configurations (including selecting and mentoring staff, planning out work, and overall execution responsibility)
• New partner development: networking and developing critical relationships

The Director of Program Innovation will be the primary person responsible for evolving and making step-change improvements in the organization’s structure as we grow to scale. Although One Acre Fund is only 20 months old today, we are laying the foundation for One Acre Fund to be a major international NGO within ten years.

Qualifications: We are looking for somebody truly extraordinary to be the founder’s partner in launching this new venture. This is an extremely competitive posting for a business/ management-level position; please do NOT respond unless you fit these criteria:

1. 3-10 years of post-undergraduate work experience in an elite management and generalist setting. Top-tier management consulting firm or successful entrepreneurial experience preferred. Experience should include: Project management responsibilities including overall execution responsibility, work plan and milestone ownership, and staff management; Managing junior staff in day-to-day activities; Developing junior staff through career reviews; Advanced analytical toolkit (e.g., using Excel to build an operational dashboard); “Get it done”/ implementation experience greatly preferred over research-style experience
2. Top-performing undergraduate degree (include GPA and test scores on your resume)
3. A good “start-up” personality that fits Africa well: Entrepreneurial, ambitious, independent; Structured thinker; Good communicator; Flexible; No ego or drama. A combination of strong leadership skills and humble approach to service - One Acre Fund only has kind, patient, and awesome people!
4. Prior field experience in a developing country
5. Must commit to living in rural Africa for two years in quite livable conditions
6. Kiswahili a plus, Kinyrwandan or French a plus – none required
7. Ability to cook/ laugh/ extraordinary patience – all desirable

Email cover letter and resume to paul.youn@oneacrefund.org (Subject line: “Director of Program Innovation Search – small circulation”)