Project Country Lead
Job Description
ForAfrika is an African-founded and led organisation with over 40 years of impact across the continent. We partner with communities through our integrated development continuum: saving lives and building resilience to reach self-sufficiency through our Humanitarian & Development work and unlocking commercial viability through our Social Enterprise activities. We are Africans, delivering African-led solutions for Africa, and we stand by our promise: we’re committed to the long run, until the job is done and communities are enabled to thrive.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the General Manager – Social Enterprise, on an initial 6-month contract (extendable by a further 6 months), the Project Country Lead is FASE’s primary executor on the ground for the Solar Water Enterprise Hub (SWEH) project. The role that converts an approved Hub rollout plan into operating reality across Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Working independently in the field, the Lead owns four interconnected functions: baseline assessment and site selection; Hub operating-model design and supplier/partner development; field-team recruitment and management; and government, district and community stakeholder relationships.
This is an execution-oriented role that requires independent initiative, strong commercial judgement, and the credibility to build trust with government, community and private-sector stakeholders without close supervision. The postholder works within the rollout plan and budget approved for the project, with the first Hubs going live from Day 1 of Month 7.
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Hub Set-Up & Operationalisation
- Lead the baseline socio-economic and opportunity assessment across all sites, and the consolidation, rating and selection of each Hub cohort ahead of launch.
- Design the operating model, supplier links and staffing plan for every Hub, and oversee kiosk/PayGo procurement and construction so that the first cohort of Hubs are ready to trade from Day 1 of Month 7.
Team Leadership & Field Operations
- Recruit, onboard, train and manage the field team (Cluster Supervisors/Sales Reps, Logistics Operators, Warehouse Operators, Packers) as it scales with the Hub rollout.
- Establish warehouse operations and delivery routes, and set day-to-day operating standards and SOPs for all Hub-level staff.
Partnerships & Stakeholder Relationships
- Lead engagement with government, district and community stakeholders across all sites, and negotiate the supplier and commercial partner agreements each Hub’s revenue streams depend on.
- Represent the project at community, district and provincial level to build the trust local adoption depends on.
Commercial & Financial Oversight
- Own CAPEX and operating-cost planning for the Hub network, and monitor Hub-level commercial performance against the approved plan.
Reporting, Compliance & Risk
- Report progress to the General Manager – Social Enterprise as required, escalate delivery risks, and ensure compliance with ForAfrika’s safeguarding, code of conduct and financial policies.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
BASELINE ASSESSMENT
All sites assessed, rated and reported on by end Month 3
HUB READINESS
First cohort of Hubs selected, tiered and operating models finalised by end Month 5
LAUNCH DELIVERY
Kiosk/PayGo procurement, staffing and construction on track for the Month 7 launch
STAKEHOLDER REPORTING
Timely, accurate progress reporting delivered as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
| Essential | Advantageous |
| • Bachelor’s degree in commerce, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration or a related field.• 8-10+ years’ experience in business development, SME/enterprise development or commercial operations, ideally including township, emerging-market or financial-inclusion experience.• A demonstrated track record of founding, operating or scaling a commercial venture – hands-on operating experience, not only advisory.• Experience managing stakeholder relationships across government, community and private-sector actors.• Strong South African market knowledge.• A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel extensively across Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.• Commercial and entrepreneurial mindset, with the financial literacy to manage a CAPEX/OPEX budget.• Resilience and a hands-on, field-based working style. | • Existing networks or relationships in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and/or KwaZulu-Natal.• Experience in financial services, base of the pyramid markets or access-to-finance environments.• Experience building a field team or operations function from the ground up.• Postgraduate qualification in a commercial discipline. |
Job location
Dual — field-based with flexible remote work, based on project needs. Initially covers baseline assessment across Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal; field-based in Mpumalanga and Limpopo once Hubs launch there.
