Programme Coordinator - Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism

THE ROLE PURPOSE

To lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the ARCAFIM programme across participating Equity Bank entities, ensuring that climate change adaptation (CCA) financing and associated capacity-building activities achieve agreed development and commercial objectives. The role provides strategic and operational oversight of the Programme Management Unit (PMU), strengthens programme governance and partner coordination, and drives portfolio growth, effective use of programme resources, compliance with financing agreements and timely, high-quality reporting to Equity Bank Management, IFAD and co-financiers.

the KEY responsibilities

Programme Strategy, Planning & Delivery

• Develop and maintain the ARCAFIM programme work plan in line with the Implementation and Management Plan, with clear milestones, deliverables, owners and timelines.
• Track implementation against agreed targets, identify delivery gaps and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Programme Operations & PMU Leadership

• Lead the Programme Management Unit (PMU) and coordinate delivery across Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) financing and capacity-building workstreams in accordance with the ARCAFIM Operations Manual.
• Set performance expectations, monitor workstream delivery and supervise in-country subsidiary ARCAFIM Coordinators.

CCA Portfolio Growth & Business Integration

• Work with Group and country management teams to identify CCA financing opportunities, prioritise target markets and expand eligible lending to underserved customer segments.
• Guide the review of existing and development of new CCA lending products aligned with customer needs, programme objectives and applicable eligibility criteria.

Financial Management, Fund Flows & Risk-Sharing

• Oversee compliance with IFAD disbursement requirements, subsidiary fund transfers, loan-agreement obligations, risk-sharing arrangements and reflows to IFAD.
• Monitor programme budgets, utilisation and fund flows, ensuring timely reconciliation and escalation of material variances or financial risks.

Performance Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability

• Ensure complete, accurate and timely financial and physical progress reporting for Components 1 and 2 to Equity Bank management, IFAD and co-financiers.
• Maintain an integrated performance dashboard, validate reported results and track corrective actions arising from programme reviews.

Capacity Building & Staff Engagement

• Coordinate staff and customer capacity-building initiatives to strengthen CCA knowledge, lending capability, implementation consistency and customer outcomes across participating entities.
• Promote staff engagement and monitor the application of acquired knowledge in programme delivery.

Partnerships, Knowledge Management & Programme Visibility

• Build strategic relationships with internal business functions, participating subsidiaries, financiers, technical partners and other stakeholders to support programme delivery and CCA financing growth.
• Promote knowledge sharing, document lessons learned and communicate programme achievements and results.

Procurement & Service Provider Oversight

• Oversee procurement of programme-funded service providers in accordance with ARCAFIM procedures, Bank requirements and applicable funding conditions.
• Monitor contracts, deliverables, quality, timelines and value for money, ensuring performance issues are addressed promptly.

Stakeholder Coordination & Governance

• Coordinate decisions, communication and implementation across Equity Bank Group functions, participating subsidiaries, IFAD and other programme stakeholders.
• Maintain effective governance and escalation mechanisms to resolve delivery bottlenecks, manage dependencies and ensure timely implementation of agreed decisions.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 10 years' experience managing large-scale commercial financing initiatives in the agriculture sector, ideally with a focus on green or climate-resilient financing.
• Extensive experience leading teams within commercial financial institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in programme or portfolio management, partner coordination, performance reporting and financial governance.
• Experience working across multiple countries or with development finance institutions and donor-funded programmes would be an advantage.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Must- Have:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Marketing or a related discipline; a relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Master's degree in business, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Marketing or a related discipline; a relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage
• Nice to Have: (as added advantage)
• Relevant professional certifications in Project Management, Climate Change & Adaptation, Monitoring & Evaluation etc. are desirable.