About Practical Action
Practical Action is an international development group, putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.
They help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. Challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. Practical Action work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience and clean energy. And they share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big.
Practical Action works on holistic solutions that change systems. Operating as a multi-disciplinary change making group, we combine these specialisms to multiply our impact.
- A highly innovative community development organisation operating in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Practical Action community projects use ingenious ideas to design, test, refine and prove new ways to overcome poverty and disadvantage and then ‘open-source’ knowledge of what works so that it can be implemented at a greater scale by others.
- A world-class consulting operation that helps socially responsible business, government policy makers and other development organisations. This draws on learnings from our own development work as well as the combined brainpower of a roster of over 2,000 expert consultants. Practical Action Consulting (PAC) helps to extend the reach of our influence by providing the best advice to others, whose work can make a bigger difference.
- A well-respected specialist development publisher. Practical Action Publishing brings together development practitioners, researchers and thought leaders to create publications that stimulate discussion, strengthen peoples’
Practical Action’s vision is for a world that works better for everyone.
The Role
This is an exciting, senior opportunity to lead and grow a young, strategic consultancy business and contribute to Practical Action’s group strategy.
PAC West Africa team is a relatively small, start-up business with considerable potential for growth. The Director needs to be comfortable engaging with all aspects of the work including financial oversight, compliance with regulations, resource allocation, and operational decisions.
Reporting to the International Director, you will shape, grow and deliver an ambitious regional consultancy strategy. You will also serve as an active member of the Strategic Leadership Team for the overall Practical Action group, lead specific aspects of the strategy globally and coordinate with PAC teams in other countries.
Job Responsibilities
The PAC West Africa Director will be a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader who brings a blend of:
- Strategic vision, leadership, ambition and sound decision-making to refine and develop strategies that will grow the business, in terms of impact and viability. This may involve reshaping business models that may integrate some elements of programming. An external orientation, networking, representation, relationship building and a good understanding of the region will be important.
- Strong business, management and financial acumen to manage and mentor a small, professional team of full-time consultants, operational support and a roster of associates to consistently expand the client base, develop competitive bids, deliver high quality assignments, and ensure operational and financial compliance.
- Demonstrable skills in generating income, creating new funding streams, and leading on strategic business development opportunities to drive growth. PAC West Africa is financed through consultancy income with a small (and reducing) core grant. Our aim is to make the operation fully financially sustainable.
- Technical expertise in at least one of Practical Action’s four thematic areas of regenerative agriculture, climate and resilience, energy access and/or urban water and sanitation. Approximately 25% of the role will involve delivering consultancy assignments.
Person Specification
- Significant experience in the consultancy sector, preferably at a senior management / leadership level.
- Experience of developing and leading ambitious, viable strategies, especially in a consultancy business.
- Proven track record of leading portfolio growth in consulting
- Networking and representation at a senior level to drive growth.
- Good knowledge of the West Africa context
- Experience of managing a high performing consultancy team
- Technical expertise in at least one area of Practical Action’s work and experience of delivering and managing consultancy services
- Financial and business acumen to ensure financial sustainability, compliance and controls.
- Willingness to get involved in all aspects of the business from strategic to operational; ability to manage multiple responsibilities and set priorities.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity and a commitment to Practical Action’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Ability to work collaboratively and play a global leadership role.
- Excellent written & verbal communications skills: English and French.
- Commitment to Practical Action’s vision, mission and values.
How to apply:
Follow this link: https://oxfordhr.co.uk/jobs/director-pac-west-africa/