Managing Director

MEDA invites applications for a Managing Director, Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, to join our dedicated and talented team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA believes that business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

ROLE

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Global Programs, the Managing Director (MD) of the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund will provide strategic leadership to an ambitious impact investment and business support initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of high-growth SMEs across Africa. The Managing Director will oversee a consortium of implementing partners in Africa and North America, working to build an ecosystem within which   job creation and inclusive economic growth are catalyzed.

This role is oriented toward strategic direction, external representation, and resource mobilization. The Managing Director will act as the face of the initiative—engaging governments, donors, investors, and media to expand the initiative’s visibility, influence, and funding base.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting and steering the strategic vision of the initiative to ensure strong economic impact and job creation;

• Managing a diverse consortium of partners to deliver investment and business development support services effectively;

• Overseeing the deployment of capital and the performance of supported enterprises;

• Cultivating high-level relationships with funders, investors, and key regional and global stakeholders;

• Leading fundraising and capital mobilization efforts, with a focus on scaling investment capital, technical assistance, and pipeline development;

• Representing the initiative in global and regional forums, policy dialogues, and public platforms to elevate its position as a leading model for inclusive private sector development;

• Ensuring high standards of governance, transparency, and results-based management across the consortium.

• Represent the initiative in high-level forums, policy dialogues, and media engagements to position it as a leading model in inclusive economic growth.

• Ensure strong governance, reporting, and accountability across all aspects of the initiative.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Senior leadership experience in impact investing, private sector development, or enterprise support in emerging markets.
• Proven track record managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs or partnerships.
• Strong networks in the development finance, investment, and donor communities.
• Excellent strategic, financial, and relationship-building skills.
• Deep understanding of the economic landscape and opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and diplomatic skills, with the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage high-profile stakeholders, and build trust across diverse teams and partners.

Location: Kenya, Senegal or Ghana

Status: Full-time, ideal start date to be in September 2025

KEY FUNCTIONS

Strategy, Partnerships and Leadership (30%)

• Play a strategic and leadership role in the coordination of all program activities across all relevant parties, including the donor and other stakeholders involved in the program.
• Provide strategic intelligence and ensure its effective utilization in design and execution of the initiative
• Oversee all external communication in Africa, Canada and globally related to the launch and delivery of the initiative in collaboration with the MEDA corporate communications team
• Provide strategic and operational leadership and direction to program implementation team
• Oversee the learning partner in their interconnected role with all consortium partners, ensure the learning agenda, data collection and knowledge mobilization are fully integrated in this pilot and geared towards the proof of concept by year three and production of a replicable and scalable prototype by year five
• Develop, review, and monitor in coordination with key program staff, yearly work and performance plans to ensure priorities are on track
• Liaise with and maintain active and responsive relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, consortium members, donor representatives, etc.

Investment and Financial Management (30%)

• Monitor the investment pipeline, SME and portfolio performance returns and compliances through on-site visits, third party reporting, and verification and analysis of data from relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that the program is implemented in accordance with funding agreements, policies and procedures of MEDA, legal and tax jurisdiction requirements, and internationally recognized quality of standards (financial due diligence) in the field of social investments.
• Manage and lead a team of professionals and support staff in a matrix environment; plan and prioritize work activities and assignments to meet overall objectives of the program and establishing excellent communication with internal (within MEDA, with other global offices of MEDA and consortium partners) and external stakeholders (donor(s), Governments, recipients, etc.)

Operations / Compliance Management (30%)

• Manage/coordinate the MEDA-led initiatives (Fund Management Partner(s), Business Support Services Partner(s), and Learning/Knowledge Management partner) ensuring that the overall program objectives are achieved and contractual obligations are met on time and within budget.
• Participate in the operations committee where strategies, obstacles, performance plans, operational aspects, resolution of problems, meeting administrative and legal compliances, and providing regular updates from the Investment and Steering Committees takes place
• Put in place mechanisms that ensure the rapid deployment and integrity of program funds, such as dedicated program and operational units, standard operating procedures based on MEDA’s operating policies and processes, financial information management system, risk management, audit, monitoring & evaluation, reporting to stakeholders, etc.
• Recruit, hire, and manage staff and consultants as needed, following MEDA’s human capital policies and guidelines

Additional Responsibilities (10%)

• Undertake other responsibilities as required, including emerging strategic priorities, special projects, and organizational initiatives that support program impact, partnership development, innovation, or internal alignment with MEDA’s broader mission and values

Job Requirements for ALL STAFF at MEDA

Organizational Policies and Procedures

• Ensure and adhere to all MEDA management, professional, finance, audit, legal, human capital, security, corporate and other policies as required.
• Prepare quarterly and other required internal reports and planning documents.
• Complete and participate in all training as required.

Organizational Culture

• Appreciation, understanding and commitment to MEDA’s mission, creating business solutions to poverty.
• Demonstrate MEDA’s Core Performance Values: Collaboration, Respect, Entrepreneurship and Accountability.

Image and Engagement

• Adherence and demonstration of MEDA’s image according to MEDA values.
• Comply with board approved brand strategy.
• Promote MEDA thorough speaking engagements, media appearances and convention as required.

Staff Management (applicable to positions with at least one Direct Report)

• Performance of staff management and leadership functions as applicable according to MEDA policies, procedures, and values
• Contribute to a healthy culture and work environment for team

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, or related field and/or a professional accounting designation, such as CFA, CA, CGA, CMA and CPA.

Experience:

• 13 + years proven experience in International Development, Business Administration, or related field.

• Functional experience in marketing, business planning, business growth advisory service or related areas

• Demonstrated ability to mobilize stakeholders into partnerships and alliances, lead and facilitate collaborative processes

• Demonstrated outstanding leadership, effective organizational development, partnership-building, managerial, team building, problem solving and communications skills.

• Proven ability to coordinate and deliver in a complex multi stakeholders – multi-cultural setting involving donors, governmental and non-governmental organizations, private sector organizations and civil society organizations

• Proven ability to manage large (USD$100+ Million) integrated grant-funded projects in developing countries

• Proven track record in leading culturally and generationally diverse teams and must be able to engage with staff at all levels of the organization and exercise sound judgement

• Appreciation, understanding and support of MEDA’s mission, vision and values, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty

• Excellent skills in relationship management, including building relationships, networking and presentation, negotiation and interpersonal communication

• Must be fluent in English and proficiency in regional languages is an asset

Candidates must submit their CV and a cover letter including a summary of their work experience related to this opportunity, highlighting their experience.

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer, and accommodation is available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.

This job description may be reviewed, revised and updated as required to meet department and/or organizational objectives. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a qualified candidate is selected.

Please note -  MEDA is working with a recruitment partner (HPD AFRICA) on this search and selected candidates will go through a screening process with HPD AFRICA before meeting MEDA’s hiring team