Job description

Role Overview: Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer role at CFF includes both an external and internal scope of work. 

Alongside the CEO, the COO is the key thought leader, voice and representative with CFF’s stakeholders and partners. The COO will lead CFF’s engagement with the local capital providers that are driving innovation in the small business finance sector across Africa and MENA.  With CFF’s orientation of collaboration to drive systemic change, the COO will engage with the CEO and the CFF Board, to work in partnership with other ecosystem stakeholders, including local government agencies and domestic institutional capital holders. 

Internally, the COO will act as the CEO’s key partner in setting and operationalizing strategic priorities. They are responsible for setting the operational approach and managing team members, ensuring that these individuals have the necessary resources and support to successfully complete all deliverables. The COO will also set the annual operational budget and work plan.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversees the Early-Stage Capital Provider (ESCP) Network Initiative

• Engage with the network of small business finance capital providers to understand the opportunities and challenges facing this emerging class—with the goal of supporting and advocating on their behalf. 
• Guide and oversee team members that provide programmatic support to the LCP network. 
• Lead the Collaborative’s engagement with the ESCP Network to achieve scale across the African LCP ecosystem. The principal focus is on: 1) activities to improve capital providers’ capacity and performance, and 2) advocacy on their behalf:
• Direct the ESCP Network Manager. As a direct report to the COO, the ESCP Network Manager will own day-to-day relationships with network members, provide support, and deliver services across the network. The services include onboarding, peer-based workshops and delivery of technical and capacity support of network members.

ESCP Programming and Delivery

• Set strategy and operational approach to meeting the ESCP Network’s needs.
• Work with network members and CFF team to conceptualize and implement webinars and peer learning events and forums.

Visibility & Advocacy:

• Offer thought leadership combined with a strong bias toward action to accelerate the build out of the emerging asset class of small business funds in Africa, MENA and across the globe. 
• Champion the ESCP Network members, both internally and externally, by identifying relevant connections and areas of common interest among network members and by utilizing opportunities to connect with third parties to raise members’ profiles.
• Author “thought pieces” regarding this emerging asset class and work with regional and global news outlets, such as ImpactAlpha and partners, to burnish LCPs’ reputations.
• Oversee CFF’s response to RFPs, participate in training opportunities, etc. 

Builds Key Strategic Partnerships:

• Foster relationships with like-minded organizations and collaborating to advance shared objectives, including by co-developing activities and content for the benefit of the network and by providing technical assistance. Collaborations include (but are not limited to):
• Other field-building fund of funds (e.g. PIC, Ceniarth, DGGF, I&P, IFC SME Ventures, MAGF)—provide periodic updates, and coordinate activities such as training and other resources for fund managers;
• Other networks and field building organizations (e.g. WAI, 2X Global, ANDE, Global Steering Group, Growth Firm Alliance)—deliver joint webinars, facilitate dialogue and connections between networks;
• Development agencies (global and domestic) and African institutional capital holders;
• Industry associations (e.g. AVCA, EAVCA)—identify potential synergies in research, data collection, and sharing;
• Business Development Services providers and networks (e.g. 10X-e)—promote programs for pre- and post-investment support of LCP’s portfolio companies. 

Role Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience, including demonstrated track record of success in a leadership role.
• Strong background in finance and experience working in frontier markets across Africa.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and inspire teams that include multidisciplinary functions.
• Demonstrated experience and passion for ecosystem building, with a track record of successfully fostering collaboration and developing networks of external stakeholders.