Managing Director

ACA Managing Director Recruitment (full-time)

Terms of Reference and Timeline  

ACA Managing Director: Terms of Reference:

1. Overview:   The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) www.africancashewalliance.com is a private sector organization seeking to accelerate growth and investment in Africa's cashew industry through partnerships, advocacy, market linkages, technical support and global networking.  ACA is currently recruiting for a Managing Director (MD) who will lead the organization of over 90 company members and diverse stakeholders to implement a new, five year strategic plan. The position is based at the ACA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana with frequent travel to neighboring African countries.  The MD will manage professional staff at the Secretariat and report directly to the ACA Board of Directors (BOD).  He/she will also serve as the primary spokesperson for Africa's cashew industry.

The candidate, who could be of any nationality, should exhibit the following personal traits/skills and corresponding qualifications:

2. Personal Traits and Skills:

  • Dynamic, visionary leadership  
  • Competent
  • Diplomatic and trustworthy
  • Possesses a good team spirit
  • Adaptable to multitude of cultural settings
  • Professional integrity and organizational loyalty
  • Excellent communicator and interpersonal skills 
  • Problem solving ability and results-oriented
  • Good organizational and time management skills
  • Financially responsible and resourceful
  • A good listener and open for dialogue

3. Qualifications:

  • Minimum of a Master's Degree in Agribusiness, Communications, Marketing, Finance, Business Administration or a similar discipline.  
  • A combined experience of more than 5 years in cashew development, including practical industry experience and implementation of cashew sector value chain objectives in Africa.
  • Work experience in agribusiness, finance or related field is an advantage
  • Work experience in a membership-based organization or in multistakeholder platforms that included administrative and financial oversight is an advantage
  • Experience working on International trade issues and trade-related capacity building is an advantage
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and French. Portuguese proficiency a plus.
  • Proven record in resource mobilization and membership recruitment.
  • Experience organizing and facilitating board meetings, stakeholder forums and large conferences.
  • Technical knowledge of the entire cashew value chain or similar tropical commodity sector.

4.   Description of Duties:

  • Strategic Leadership and Delivery:

The MD will develop, lead and monitor an institutional growth strategy for the organization with the Board of Directors.  He/she will represent the ACA at the highest level, once the Board of Directors have mandated, ensuring its role in the global cashew industry is known and trusted, through direct engagement with policy makers, private and public stakeholders and the execution on of an effective partnership strategy.  The MD will also work with the Board of Directors and staff to develop a robust communications strategy.

  • Board of Directors' and General Assembly Support:

The MD will uphold the statutes and procedures of the Board of Directors to ensure proper governance and transparency of decision making.  He/she will communicate the Board's decisions to the membership of the ACA and staff.  The MD will prepare and submit periodic reports to the BOD on the operational, administrative and financial aspects and developments of the ACA Secretariat.   He/she will reinvigorate the scope and importance of the General Assembly.

  • Secretariat and Staff Management:

The MD will ensure that ACA's organizational structure, operational policies, and other business processes are good.  He/she will manage the day to day activities of the ACA Secretariat and will direct and develop the staff to sure all are performing their relevant job functions.  The MD will maintain a positive work environment that facilitates collaboration and information sharing to maintain and motivate staff.  He/she will also exercise authority over personnel and human resource matters and track key performance indicators across all departments.

  • Financial Management and Resource Mobilization:

The MD will oversee ACA's Financial Manager, preset annual budgets to the Board of Directors and approve better management of resources.  He/she will also ensure that financial policies are followed and adhered to.  The MD will also work with the Financial Manager to ensure the effectiveness of assets and resources and that procurement policies are followed.  The MD will also develop a plan for resource mobilization within and outside the membership in order to meet the financial needs of ACA to carry out priority objectives.

  • Membership and Partnership Engagement:

ACA is a membership organization, and as such, the MD will play a leading role in the recruitment and retention of participating companies.  The MD will represent ACA in business and partners' meetings and find effective ways to leverage the expertise of partners in order to advance ACA's strategic objectives.

5.   Application Process and Timeline:

Interested and eligible bilingual candidates should submit their CVs and cover letters to jobs@africancashewalliance.com. Candidates must also present a letter of recommendation from a cashew industry association or an agribusiness related NGO no later than April 15, 2017.  No phone calls please.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

 

Expiry date: 
Saturday, April 15, 2017 - 12:00