Governance Advisors Africa Governance Initiative (AGI)

About AGI
AGI is working for a future in which Africa’s development is led by Africans, with governments that are capable of setting and achieving priorities that reflect the rising aspirations and expectations of their citizens. To achieve this vision, we provide practical advice and support to help African leaders to bridge the gap between their vision for a better future and the capacity of their governments to achieve it. We work with countries – currently Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Guinea, Nigeria and South Sudan – that are at turning points and where we have had an invitation from the Head of Government to provide capacity development support.

Our model combines the experience of AGI’s founder and Patron, Mr. Blair, with on-the-ground teams of professionals working shoulder-to-shoulder with counterparts in the heart of partner governments – in Presidential Offices, Ministries and Investment Agencies – to develop capacity and put in place the skills, systems and structures needed to drive the delivery of results on the ground.

Forthcoming Roles
AGI is a dynamic and fast-growing charity, and over the next 6 months we will recruit to a number of positions across our Africa programmes. In the first instance we are looking for candidates for Rwanda, Liberia and Nigeria, with the possibility of other positions on other projects becoming available, including in francophone Africa. We are particularly looking for candidates in the following areas:

Advisors in Priority Ministries
We will be recruiting to a number of Governance Advisor positions based in priority ministries, working with the senior leadership to develop planning and implementation capacity. Advisors will work with counterparts to build capacity around, e.g., planning and performance management systems, private office functions, and strategy and policy development. In addition to the AGI core competencies we are looking for candidates with sector experience (private or public) in Agriculture, Energy, Mining or Infrastructure, as well as in Ministries of Finance on economic planning.

Advisors in Centre-of-Government Institutions
We will be recruiting to a number of Governance Advisor positions in institutions at the centre of government – Presidents’ and Prime ministers’ offices; cross-government co-ordination offices; and strategy, policy and delivery units. In all roles, advisors will work with counterparts to develop capacity in planning and performance management functions. In addition to the AGI core competencies we are interested to hear from candidates with prior experience in: delivery and performance management processes; private office or supporting a senior leader; or government and strategic communications.

Advisors on Private Sector Development
We are seeking candidates to develop the capacity of those government institutions charged with attracting high-quality sustainable foreign investment, improving the business climate and growing the domestic private sector. In addition to the AGI core competencies we are looking for individuals with experience in investment promotion, managing investment deals in emerging market economies and/or delivering organisational change.

Leadership positions
Finally, we are looking for exceptional leaders to join the AGI Management Team. AGI Country Heads have full responsibility for all programme activities, including managing a team of 5-10 people, a budget of £1-2m pa, overseeing programme design and the delivery and evaluation of project goals, and managing relations with senior government stakeholders up to and including the President. For these challenging and demanding roles we are looking for exceptional performance in the AGI competencies and proven experience of building and managing high performing teams. AGI Country Head positions are likely to become available throughout 2013. In addition, AGI is currently recruiting a new Chief Operating Officer to the join the Senior Management team, a London-based role starting from January 2013 – please request the separate advert for this position.

AGI Competencies
We are looking for outstanding individuals with a proven track record of leadership and delivery in the public or private sectors. AGI team members generally have 5-15 years relevant professional experience. We seek to create international and multi-disciplinary teams and are looking for individuals with a background in: public/civil services worldwide; strategy consulting; relevant industry experience; private equity and finance; and international development. All candidates will need to demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Leadership and organisational awareness
• Building and managing effective relationships, including the ability to navigate complex political environments
• Influencing and coaching and delivering change through others
• Management and delivery, including excellent project management skills
• Strategic planning and decision-making
• Analysis and use of evidence
• A creative and entrepreneurial approach to overcoming barriers and making change happen, and the ability to cope in emotionally demanding environments
• Above all, high levels of enthusiasm, resilience, and a can-do attitude

Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Package
Remuneration will be competitive within the international charitable sector and will include provision for flights, housing and relevant expenses in Africa.

How to apply
Please send a cover letter and CV (no more than 2 pages) to jobs@tb-agi.org – please state clearly in the subject line which role you have an interest in (e.g. “Centre of Government”). Please also state in your cover letter any geographic or timing preferences for start dates through to March 2013.

For queries regarding the projects or roles, please contact harry.bradwell@tb-agi.org with “Recruitment” in the subject line.

The deadline for applications is close of business on Wednesday 22 August.

Start-dates will vary by position from October 2012 to March 2013. Interviews will be held first for those positions starting soonest.

Whilst we value all applications, we regret that we will only be able to contact successful candidates.