Job offers & Volunteer opportunities
Working at ACfA
ACfA has a small, hard-working team that is driven by the mission to improve access to finance for African entrepreneurs through investments-crowdfunding. We love working with people who have been in the African investor and entrepreneur ecosystems for some time. We seek to hire individuals with professional integrity, maturity and a high standard of work.
published: 05.07.2022
Financial Manager
Apply before 6 December 2023
About Us
ACfA has a small, hard-working team that is driven by the mission to improve access to finance for African entrepreneurs through crowdfunding. First and foremost, we seek to hire individuals with professional integrity, maturity and ethical conduct. We operate like a start-up and use technology across our operations. Team members are focused on the job, multitasking and acquiring new skills as needed. As a donor-funded organisation, ACfA relies on volunteers and student researchers for tasks and projects for which our core team does not have enough time. Volunteers are highly valued, integrated into our team and enjoy their learning experience with us.
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Financial Manager
Apply before 6 December 2023
Two-year full-time consulting opportunity
published: 05.07.2022
Project Reference: “Crowdfunding in the East African Community Programme” funded by the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) of the African Development Bank Group.
Grant number: ML 0064
Project Grant number: G-ZI-H00-SUP-005
The African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) has received grant financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) in order to support the harmonization of the crowdfunding industry in the East African Community (EAC), in partnership with regulatory authorities in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi.
The consulting services under this assignment involve the financial and accounting management of the grant under ACfA for the duration of the abovementioned programme. Please refer to the corresponding Terms of Reference for a full list of the duties of the consultant. The assignment is expected to be executed over a period of 24 (twenty-four months).
The African Crowdfunding Association invites consultants (individuals) to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services listed in the Terms of Reference (CV, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, et cetera).
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations Approved in October 2015, and available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
Selection Process
The recruitment of the individual consultant will be in two stages.
1) Shortlisting/evaluation of candidates based on the below criteria. A shortlist of three (3) to six (6) consultants will be established. Candidates scoring over 80 will be invited to an interview.
Shortlisting criteria
| Chartered Accountant degree and, if relevant, a Bachelors degree or equivalent accounting qualification for a junior assistant | 40 |
| Minimum 10 years’ experience in financial management and accounting | 30 |
| Prior experience with project-related accounting for multilateral donor or AfDB funded projects | 30 |
2) Candidates will be ranked according to interview criteria.
Expressions of interest must be delivered to the email address below by 6 December 2023 at 17h SAST (South Africa Standard Time) and mention the Grant number ML 0064/Financial Manager and Accountant in the subject line.
Email address for Expressions of Interest: elizabeth@africancrowd.org
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Financial Manager
Terms of Reference
Assignment: Financial Manager
Executing agency: African Crowdfunding Association NPO
Financing instrument: Grant funding (African Development Bank)
Location: Cape Town (preferred); hybrid home and office-based
Contract type: Consulting services contract
Contract duration: 24 months
About the Organisation
The African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) is the industry association for the crowdfunding industry in Africa. Its mission is to develop and foster crowdfunding as a formalised development finance tool to broaden SME access to finance. Its membership base spans crowdfunding platforms, angel investor syndicates, SME accelerators and incubators, blockchain-based fundraising infrastructures, “RegTech” companies as well as fund managers and investment companies. ACfA plays a crucial role in the development of standards and norms for crowdfunding in Africa. Its team has worked with 17 African regulatory authorities towards the goal of implementing a harmonised pan-African regulatory framework in the spirit of the AfCFTA. ACfA is also committed to developing diaspora crowdfunding through engagement with regulators in key diaspora markets such as the UK and Europe.
About the Project
In partnership with national regulatory authorities in East Africa, the African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) is providing a 2-year programme of technical assistance to regulators which will see the implementation of a harmonised regulatory framework for securities-based crowdfunding in the East African Community. This framework will enable the development of a new innovative mechanism to finance SMEs. The first of its kind, this exciting and impactful project is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and is expected to create thousands of jobs for youth and women in East Africa.
About the Team and Culture
The “why”. ACfA has a small, highly skilled and hard-working team of consultants and Board who are driven by the impact of their work on job creation and prosperity in Africa. This “bigger picture” mentality is what brings this team together and sustains their motivation for long-haul projects such as regulatory change. The team has built trusted relationships with its stakeholders since embarking on its mission in 2016. This has positioned it to lead ground-breaking projects in African capital markets development.
How we work. The team relies heavily on technology and smart processes to work across geographies and within constrained timelines and budgets–without sacrificing family and personal life. The team has a flat management structure and values humility, personal accountability and the ability to self-manage. Individuals who have developed these values and skills through experience will thrive at ACfA– and help ACfA thrive.
We are diverse. While ACfA is incorporated in South Africa, its team has always been pan-African and multilingual. The ability of its team members to bring diverse points of view and insights into different socio-economic groups is critical, as crowdfunding is a tool available to the general public.
Scope of work
ACfA is seeking a qualified Chartered Accountant to be its Financial Manager and form part of its Project Implementation Unit (PIU) that is charged with project implementation. Working under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and CEO, the Financial Manager will notably ensure ACfA’s compliance with national tax (and other) authorities and with the financial management policies and procedures of its donors. The Financial Manager will also play an integral role in the operational team by supporting revenue growth, donor relations and fundraising.
Specific activities
- Development and oversight of internal financial management processes;
- Maintain proper systems of accounting and ensure all financial transactions are recorded and maintained in line with approved accounting standards and in accordance with AfDB accounting and financial procedures;
- Ensure compliance with AfDB’s requirements regarding financial management, accounting and tax compliance;
- Ensure that all accounting records and bank accounts are up to date using software acceptable to the AfDB;
- Prepare monthly reconciliations and variations analyses, which should include comparisons between budgeted and actual expenditures, expected receipts against actual, and annual financial statements for management monitoring purposes;
- Prepare grant disbursement requests as needed;
- Assist Project Coordinator with budgeting and keeping abreast of line item budgets, variations and reallocations;
- Full operational oversight of accounting and book-keeping functions including training team members on the use of apps;
- Processing invoices and payments for all members, contractors and suppliers for payment under the special account or direct payment by the Bank;
- Liaise with banking partners, local tax authorities and other relevant local authorities on behalf of the Executing Agency;
- Compile Annual Financial Statements;
- Compile Quarterly financial management reports; and
- Other tasks that may be assigned by the Project Coordinator.
Time schedule
The Financial Manager will work on a full-time time basis. The contract will be for 24 months.
Minimum qualifications
- A Chartered Accountant qualification;
- At least a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Accounting or other SAIPA qualification;
- At least 10 years of experience in accounting and financial management;
- At least 5 years of previous experience with the policies of the African Development Bank and/or other similar multilateral donors;
- Previous experience with project-related accounting;
- Experience with implementing tech-enabled accounting and book-keeping solutions; and
- Professional integrity, reliability and trustworthiness.
Preferred skills and attributes:
- Professional integrity, reliability and trustworthiness;
- Excellent organisational skills; ability to follow processes and be responsive across platforms.
- He/She will need to make regular use of spreadsheets and word processing tools as well as Google Suite (Google Calendar, Google mail, Google Drive, Google Documents, Google Sheets) and productivity and communication apps such as Slack, Zoom and WhatsApp.
- Experience using Xero, Receipt Bank, PayPal Business and other relevant technological accounting applications;
Facilities provided by the Project
- The Financial Manager will work within a hybrid work environment, with some days working from home and others working from the offices of the Executing Agency in Constantia, Cape Town.
- This role requires candidates to have their own laptop, smartphone and a permanent internet connection. It is essential that candidates are suitably equipped to work productively as a team member in a hybrid working environment. The ability to self-manage is critical.
published: 05.07.2022
Procurement Officer
Apply before 6 December 2023
About Us
ACfA has a small, hard-working team that is driven by the mission to improve access to finance for African entrepreneurs through crowdfunding. First and foremost, we seek to hire individuals with professional integrity, maturity and ethical conduct. We operate like a start-up and use technology across our operations. Team members are focused on the job, multitasking and acquiring new skills as needed. As a donor-funded organisation, ACfA relies on volunteers and student researchers for tasks and projects for which our core team does not have enough time. Volunteers are highly valued, integrated into our team and enjoy their learning experience with us.
Share
Procurement Officer
Apply before 6 December 2023
Six-month part-time consulting opportunity
published: 05.07.2022
Project Reference: “Crowdfunding in the East African Community Programme” funded by the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) of the African Development Bank Group.
Grant number: ML 0064
Project Grant number: G-ZI-H00-SUP-005
——————————————————————
The African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) has received grant financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund (YEI MDTF) in order to support the harmonization of the crowdfunding industry in the East African Community (EAC), in partnership with regulatory authorities in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi.
The consulting services under this assignment are for a duration of six (6) months and involve the management of procurement of goods and services under the grant managed by ACfA.
The African Crowdfunding Association invites consultants (individuals) to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CV, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, etc…).
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations Approved in October 2015, and available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
Selection Process
The recruitment of the consultant will be in two stages.
1) Shortlisting/evaluation of candidates based on the below criteria. A shortlist of three (3) consultants will be established. Candidates scoring over 80 will be invited to an interview.
Shortlisting criteria
| Masters degree in Procurement, Law or related field | 30 |
| Minimum 5 years’ experience in procurement with practical experience in the drafting of documentation and processes | 40 |
| Prior experience in procurement processes for a multilateral donor or AfDB funded project | 30 |
2) Candidates will be interviewed and ranked according to interview criteria. The top candidate will be invited to enter into contract negotiations.
Expressions of interest must be delivered to the email address below by 6 December 2023 at 17h SAST (South Africa Standard Time) and mention the Grant number ML 0064/Procurement Officer in the subject line.
Email address for Expressions of Interest: elizabeth@africancrowd.org
Terms of Reference
Assignment: Procurement Officer
Executing agency: African Crowdfunding Association NPO
Financing instrument: Grant funding (African Development Bank)
Location: Cape Town (preferred); hybrid home- and coworking office-based
Contract type: Part-time consulting services contract
Contract duration: 6 months
About the Organisation
The African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) is the industry association for the crowdfunding industry in Africa. Its mission is to develop and foster crowdfunding as a formalised development finance tool to broaden SME access to finance. Its membership base spans crowdfunding platforms, angel investor syndicates, SME accelerators and incubators, blockchain-based fundraising infrastructures, “RegTech” companies as well as fund managers and investment companies. ACfA plays a crucial role in the development of standards and norms for crowdfunding in Africa. Its team has worked with 17 African regulatory authorities towards the goal of implementing a harmonised pan-African regulatory framework in the spirit of the AfCFTA. ACfA is also committed to developing diaspora crowdfunding through engagement with regulators in key diaspora markets such as the UK and Europe.
About the Project
In partnership with national regulatory authorities in East Africa, the African Crowdfunding Association (ACfA) is providing a 2-year programme of technical assistance to regulators which will see the implementation of a harmonised regulatory framework for securities-based crowdfunding in the East African Community. This framework will enable the development of a new innovative mechanism to finance SMEs. The first of its kind, this exciting and impactful project is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and is expected to create thousands of jobs for youth and women in East Africa.
About the Team and Culture
The “why”. ACfA has a small, highly skilled and hard-working team of consultants and Board who are driven by the impact of their work on job creation and prosperity in Africa. This “bigger picture” mentality is what brings this team together and sustains their motivation for long-haul projects such as regulatory change. The team has built trusted relationships with its stakeholders since embarking on its mission in 2016 as a pro-bono group of volunteers. Today, this trust and domain expertise in FinTech are what has positioned it to lead ground-breaking projects in African capital markets development.
How we work. The team relies heavily on technology and smart processes to work remotely across geographies and within constrained timelines and budgets. Our team members have families and we value flexible work hours to accommodate them. The team has a flat management structure and values humility, personal accountability and the ability to self-manage. Individuals who have developed these values and skills through experience will thrive at ACfA.
We are diverse. While ACfA is incorporated in South Africa, its team has always been pan-African and multilingual. The ability of its team members to bring diverse points of view and insights into different socio-economic groups is critical, as crowdfunding is a tool available to the general public.
About the Assignment
ACfA is seeking a part-time Procurement Officer to form part of its Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
The main objectives of engaging a Procurement Officer are: (a) to provide technical support to the project in performing all procurement-cycle processes under the project including but not limited to acquiring the consultancy services, non-consultancy services, goods and works related to the project funding and in line with the grant finance agreement with the Bank; (b) to be responsible for all operational procurement policies and procedures by ensuring their application is consistent, efficient, fair and transparent and that the procurement under Bank-funded project is conducted on a fit for purpose and value-for-money basis.
Scope of Work
He/She will be accountable for ensuring that all procurements under the project are conducted in accordance with the AfDB procurement framework as agreed between the AfDB and the Executing Agency, as well as in accordance with the Public Procurement Act to meet the expectations under the Public Procurement Model of Excellence, and in an efficient and transparent manner. He/she will transfer knowledge and expertise on AfDB procurement procedures to the project staff.
Specific activities include:
Managing the Procurement Process
- Prepare and update regularly the procurement plan in accordance to the AfDB standard template and make sure that all the activities are in accordance to the approved procurement plan;
- Review and provide the procurement related input to the Terms of References (ToRs), prepare Request for Proposals (RFP) and bidding documents for goods and works using standard AfDB documents as approved by the Public Procurement Authority;
- Oversee the procurement of works, goods and service, and bid analysis reports, including assisting in preparing bidding dossiers, terms of reference, request for proposals and bid analysis reports to ensure their conformity with Bank rules of procedure, and make recommendations;
- Follow up with the concerned government departments and the AfDB to have RFPs and bidding documents approved and issued in a timely manner according to the approved procurement plan;
- Manage the advertising process involved in procurement, procurement related correspondence, responses to bidder’s clarifications, bid receipt, and bid opening in strict accordance with agreed procurement procedures;
- Participate in the selection of the Evaluation Committees, and assume the role of advisor to the evaluation committees. Guide the evaluation committees in reviewing and evaluating procurement proposals and documents received and assist all Units in the process of – contracting consultants and bidders;
- Participate in contract negotiations assisting in coordinating arrangements for the negotiation process, where necessary. Prepare the final contracts, and ensure timely distribution of all relevant procurement and contract documents to all stakeholders:
- Prepare and execute purchase orders and requisitions;
- Prepare physical progress and procurement quarterly reports for the AfDB and to ensure the commercial as well as the technical clauses of the bidding dossiers are of a high quality and are in conformance with of the requirements of the latest AfDB Procurement Guidelines;
- Review and issue comments on all bidding packages procured including those not subject to prior review. The review shall be made with the purpose that the documents are prepared according to the Bank’s procurement framework, those applicable covenants in the financing Agreement, latest bidding forms recommended by the Bank and follow the established best procurement practice;
- Ascertain that budgetary allocations are appropriated to the respective end-users and thus ensure timely and effective project implementation; and,
- Verify that all proposed purchases are eligible under the financing Agreement;
- Monitor and ensure timely responses to procurement questions raised by the Bank. Coordinate preparation of post procurement reviews by the Bank and participate in Bank supervision missions;
- Liaise with Public Procurement Authority on project procurement and any issues affecting procurement in the project;
- Finalize all pending chapters in the ACfA Policy Handbook as they relate to procurement;
- Assist and advise the Project Coordinator, Evaluation Team and Technical Staff, etc. during the review of bid opening and evaluation reports, technical and financial proposals, and make recommendations;
- Carry out any other periodic duties that may be assigned by the responsible Project Coordinator.
Contract Management
- Maintain a list of vendors supplying various items and establish a performance monitoring database for all suppliers and consultants, and ensure timely updates of the system.
- Contracts table – Ensure timely receipt of the goods, works and consultant’s monthly status reports. Track and monitor the ordering process, and ensure that the requests and deliveries are within the contract terms and conditions. Check invoices to ensure correct price, follow through, as an advisor to end users or to the committee responsible for the acceptance of the deliverables, to ensure that materials ordered have been received, examine the condition of materials received, works done and approve invoices for payment; and,
- Establish a central procurement filing system, and ensure all related documents are included in the respective files. Maintain procurement records such as items or services purchased costs, delivery, product quality or performance, and inventories, compiling data on these for internal quarterly reports.
- Handle all claims submitted by suppliers, contractors and service providers as well as contract amendments and ensure that the Bank’s approval is obtained where applicable.
Procurement Reporting
- Prepare and review evaluation reports to submit through the Project Coordinator for onward submission to the ADB for approval;
- Follow up with concerned government departments and the AfDB to have the evaluation reports approved in a timely manner;
- Monitor and report the procurement implementation status and progress to Government and the ADB as required;
- Follow up with concerned government departments and the ADB to obtain the approval of the procurement plan/documents in a timely manner; and
- Perform other tasks as assigned by the Project Coordinator as needed by all the Units in support of achieving the highest level of compliance, customer satisfaction at an optimum cost.
Capacity Building and Mentoring
- Build procurement capacity of the project team through hands-on training.
- Assist the project team in setting up a record keeping system for all prior review and especially post review contracts.
Time schedule
The Procurement Officer will work on a part-time time basis. The contract will be for six months, with possibility of extension. The total estimated time is 2 days per week on average, with periods of high and low activity.
Minimum qualifications:
- The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: Accounting, Finance, Economic, Law and Administration.
- A Master’s degree or equivalent certificate in procurement, law, management, commerce or a related field would be an advantage.
- At least 6 years of experience in executing procurement functions.
- Working experience of procurement functions in a donor-funded project especially AfDB Procurement Procedures and Guidelines is highly desirable.
Preferred skills and attributes:
- Professional integrity, reliability and trustworthiness;
- Considerable knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures; working knowledge of sources of supplies, price trends and grades or quality of materials and equipment;
- Working knowledge of the laws and ordinances governing the purchase of goods, works and services;
- An understanding of the realities of small teams working in a “startup” environment and the ability to manage your time, to work without daily supervision, and to provide support proactively to team members;
- The ability to write emails and long-form documentation in a high standard of professional English (fluency in written and spoken French is considered a strong advantage);
- He/She will need to make regular use of spreadsheets and word processing tools as well as Google Suite (Google Calendar, Google mail, Google Drive, Google Documents, Google Sheets) and productivity and communication apps such as Slack, Zoom and WhatsApp.
- Ability to analyse and process purchasing requisitions and vouchers and make purchasing decisions accordingly, ability to maintain complex purchasing and inventory records.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, vendors and the public.
- To ensure impartiality the procurement advisor must not in any way be affiliated with business entities that are currently providing or are seeking to provide goods or services to the project.
- Ability to listen and ascertain the needs of customers; ability to find and communicate accurate information concerning process, policies and procedures to customers; and ability to respond to customers tactfully and courteously.
- Excellent organisational skills; ability to follow processes and be responsive across platforms
Facilities provided by the Project
- The Procurement Officer will work within a hybrid work environment, with some days working from home and others working from the offices of the Executing Agency in Constantia, Cape Town.
- This role requires candidates to have their own laptop, smartphone and a permanent internet connection. It is essential that candidates are suitably equipped to work productively as a team member in a hybrid working environment. The ability to self-manage is critical.
