MyAgro is recruiting now: Senegal Program Director

Location: Thies / Kaolack, Senegal
Start Date: Immediately
Application Deadline: August 15, 2014

myAgro is an award-winning social enterprise/non profit in West Africa that uses a mobile technology platform to provide a comprehensive set of services:  (1) Access to fertilizer and seed packages on layaway (2) Technical Training (3) Market Access to premium buyers (4) Access to asset loans for appropriate small-scale farm equipment. Our model doubles farm income and helps farmers move out of poverty. We’ve grown from 240 farmers to 1160 in the last year, and will continue to scale to 75,000 in the next five years. Small-scale farmers across the globe make up 70% of the world’s poor. We want to build a model for savings layaway in Mali and Senegal that can be adopted by other organizations to serve farmers throughout the world.

We’ve received early recognition for our work by One Acre Fund and Mulago Foundation and received prestigious awards from: Echoing Green Fellowship, Rainer Arnhold Fellows, Draper Richards Kaplan Social Entrepreneurship.

Senegal Program Director

The Senegal Program Director is a critical role to myAgro’s success in the new market of Senegal. This role requires someone who is dynamic, mission-oriented and can readily manage multiple projects, both in the field and office-based. The Program Director will manage competing priorities and deadlines, while also effectively leading the Innovation Team to deliver additional field trials and operational programs.

With a strong financial background, success will be measured in the Program Director’s ability to effectively establish relevant objectives and key metrics, and continuously working on strategies to deliver these stretch targets.  S/he will manage the country budget, will play a significant role in the complete financial oversight of the country’s program and performance, and will complete regular financial reporting for Senior Leadership and the Board.

Due to the start-up nature of our Senegal offices, this is very much a hands on role.  S/he will have complete management of office operations to build scalable operational infrastructure, while also liaising with various internal and external stakeholders including government officials, strategic partners, marketing and logistics support staff and the local finance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the myAgro operational and financial management strategy
• Work with the CEO, Executive Team and Finance Director to ensure proper financial and planning cycles, including creation and adherence to the organization’s annual budget, mid-year reconciliation and effective cash flow management processes
• Work in close coordination with the program leadership to ensure the successful execution of financial systems and daily operations at myAgro in Senegal
• Responsible for developing and implementing sophisticated policies and procedures both in the finance and general operations realms, as well as ensuring that myAgro is completing its work in a timely, efficient, and high-quality manner.
• Conduct and communicate financial analyses on core elements of the organization, including, but not limited to the program model and strategic plan
• Play a critical role in helping to implement field based programs, lead project proposals and in-country research projects
• Develop weekly and monthly work plans and project schedules in line with site goals and priorities
• Represent myAgro and its programs with relevant stakeholders
• Liaise with the Development Manager and CEO to ensure smooth communication between the Development and the Operations teams and take initiative at improving internal communications and information systems
• Supervise and provide mentorship to the US-fellow team and volunteers
• Work and assist on special initiatives and projects

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated passion about myAgro and our mission
• French and English proficiency required
• 5 years of experience developing and implementing projects in developing countries
• Innovative and entrepreneurial nature
• A creative and versatile approach to problem solving
• At least one year of international living experience in a developing country
• Prior management experience
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross culturally
• As with any start up, flexibility, a sense of humor and an open mind are necessary for success 

Details 

You will have frequent opportunities to participate in professional development workshops, and will get significant mentorship and coaching from your manager. This is a job where successful candidates will be promoted quickly with room for additional responsibilities and independence to innovate.

Benefits 

• Compensation is modest, but will be competitive with other social enterprises
• Flights to, and accommodation in West Africa
• Health, travel and emergency medical insurance
• Language lessons stipend
• Flexible work schedule and generous vacation benefits
• Tons of karmic good – you’ll be directly helping farming families move beyond subsistence farming

To apply

• Please send a brief cover letter and resume to hr@localhost:8888