Head of Gender

The AECF is a pioneering development finance institution dedicated to driving innovation, creating jobs, and unlocking investments that empower rural and marginalized communities across Africa. By bridging the funding gap between early-stage enterprises and mature businesses, AECF enables entrepreneurs to deliver impactful solutions for the continent’s poorest communities. Through patient capital, they nurture groundbreaking business models in agribusiness and renewable energy across Sub-Saharan Africa. Beyond financing, AECF provide a comprehensive suite of support, including advisory services, investment guidance, and valuable knowledge-sharing insights, to accelerate business growth and resilience.

About the role

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.

Key dimensions of the role

• 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, operating procedures; ensure effective roll out 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 to AECF’s Gender Lens Investing agenda.
• Identify resources and network 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 gender lens investing ecosystem of funders, like-minded institutions and partners.

Skills and experience

• Graduate/master’s qualification in Development Studies, Gender Studies, Entrepreneurship, Social Sciences or other relevant field of study.
• 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.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are dedicated to supporting our Clients in building and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces and culture, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. 

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.