Position Summary The CEO will be responsible for leading the development and execution of Msingi’s longterm strategy, with ultimate responsibility for all day-to-day management decisions.
As the first CEO Msingi, the incumbent will get an opportunity to shape the future of an organisation that blends long-term thinking on economic development with actively supporting pioneering companies.
The Gatsby Africa (Gatsby) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) are establishing Msingi to catalyse the development and increased competitiveness of new and existing sectors across East Africa. Msingi is an East African organisation, working towards the structural transformation of the region’s economies over the long-term.
Working in the public interest but with a private sector-focused approach and commercial tools, Msingi will support growth, increase competitiveness and create jobs in high-potential industries across East Africa.
Msingi’s primary strategic objective is to identify industries in the region that have comparative advantage and catalyse their development by supporting both:
• Pioneering firms – selecting pioneering firms that can have a catalytic effect on the growth of the wider industry, have proven and highly capable management teams, and have strong commercial prospects and supporting them to innovate through technology transfer, capability-building and access to finance, and
• Wider industry upgrading – complementing firm-level support by addressing key industry-level bottlenecks to competitiveness, by e.g. diffusing technology, supporting improvements to industry R&D, standards, policy & regulation, coordination and skills & training facilitating.
Over the long-term, Msingi will fulfil its second strategic objective, that is to use its lessons and networks to improving the overall environment for technology transfer, innovation and sector development in East Africa beyond Msingi’s specific focus industries.
Msingi’s third strategic objective is to build a strongly resourced organisation with the highest calibre staff with excellent commercial skills and experience (and over time deepening its relationships with governments). In doing so Msingi will significantly improve East Africa’s capabilities for industry sector development in the long-term.
Msingi is forecast to have a minimum of $100 million over 10 years as seed capital. An initial budget of £30m for the first five years has been confirmed by Gatsby and DFID.
Funders will be highly engaged in governance. Gatsby will, for example, provide highly engaged Board representation, working closely with the CEO, Chair and Board as the new institution is developed. DFID will also have representation on the Board.
Key Relationships Reports to: Msingi Board
Direct reports: Various Industry and Functional Executives
Other key relationships: Funders, Governments, Local Communities Additional Relationships TBC
Major Responsibilities
• Lead the development and refinement of Msingi’s strategy, including prioritising and identifying focus industries as well as developing annual budgets and longrange plans to deliver on Msingi’s mission, vision and values.
• Be accountable to ensure all appropriate operational processes and procedures are developed and implemented – including appropriate risk management.
• Determine staffing requirements and lead the recruitment and selection of staff.
• Lead the development of relationships with potential additional co-funders in conjunction with the Board.
• Establish excellent working relationships and collaborative arrangements with all stakeholders, including Msingi’s funders, governments, key industry players and other organisations.
