CARE Zambia Recruiting: Executive Director
CARE Zambia is seeking an innovative and resourceful Executive Director to lead the pilot phase of our social enterprise, Live Well. Our goal is to increase access to affordable health products and services for millions of low-income consumers in Zambia’s peri-urban and rural communities while improving the incomes of Zambia’s poor.
Live Well will first pilot and then scale a network of trained Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs) who will provide services and sell health products door-to-door. Leading this effort will be the Executive Director who will work directly with Live Well’s Board member organizations – CARE International, Barclays, GlaxoSmithKline and our partner organization Living Goods, to drive strategy and oversee operations. This role requires a high performer with vision, entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrated ability to innovate and a proven track record of delivering results.
This is a fixed term contract for the duration of the pilot phase which ends in December 2016. A contract extension beyond the pilot phase will be dependent on the success of the pilot and the availability of funding for the scale up.
The position is to be based in Lusaka and will require travel within Zambia. This is a tremendous opportunity to build an operation that has the potential to dramatically improve the health and livelihoods of millions of low income consumers.
Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Board, refine the strategy, business plan and budget as needed and drive execution in order to meet the sales and social impact targets;
- Drive operational excellence to prove the viability of the business model, ensuring the enterprise is positioned to secure scale-up funding by the end of the pilot;
- Build and lead a team which includes a Head of Finance, Head of Field Staff, Field and Distributor staff;
- Oversee marketing and sales efforts, developing the CHE network in line with the objectives;
- Oversee product and procurement functions to ensure strong sales and margins. Continually test new products to drive profit and impact gains;
- Ensure rigorous financial management, regulatory compliance, accurate and timely reporting;
- Develop and successfully manage relationships with partners, local government, regulatory agencies and other key stakeholders.
Essential experience, capabilities and qualifications
- The ideal candidate will have 5 -10 years of relevant experience in a business or social enterprise. A minimum of 3 years in managerial/ leadership roles with significant experience in Africa;
- Private sector experience in one of the following fields: consumer package goods, public health, pharmaceuticals, retail, direct selling/franchising;
- Track record of achieving exceptional performance and growth targets;
- Ability to build, manage and maintain productive relationships with culturally diverse teams. Practical experience managing and optimizing performance of front line sales staff;
- Experience of working in a dynamic, fast paced, start up environment. Comfortable with ambiguity and change;
- Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills;
- Proactive and entrepreneurial;
- University degree;
- Passion for enacting social change.
Desired experience, capabilities and qualifications
- Supply chain experience in a company with significant supply-chain operations;
- Experience in winning and managing bi-lateral aid funded projects and collaborating with health ministries is a benefit;
- MBA or MA degree is a plus
Compensation
We are offering a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience
Apply for this job
Send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].
This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted.
Preference will be given to Zambian nationals