Using our international connections to support local development in Africa

For many global clients, establishing a footprint on the African continent is challenging. Talent market specifics are one of the biggest concerns. It is here that Kestria's clients benefit from our vital industry connections and incisive expertise.

This was clearly illustrated in the multinational search for candidates for an American philanthropic foundation that were a compatible match for key positions across its programs, primarily focused on improving financial inclusion and driving economic advancement in Africa.

Roles to fill

The project, which was run in unison by partners in Nigeria and South Africa, required a systematic market -mapping approach in filling the roles from a complex and prodigiously talented market.

• Programme Director
• Nigeria Unit Director
• Policy Innovation Expert
• Deputy Director of Policy Innovation 

A complex profile to find the right fit 

In this case the brief set for Kestria was to appoint an Executive Director for the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in Nigeria.  The successful candidate needed to possess both local and global experience at the most senior levels of interaction and represent the client at the ministerial level at economic summits and beyond. The successful candidate needed to be able to represent the client on the continent within their network of stakeholders, including key  donor and enablement partners. 

The client needed to establish a satellite office on the continent to manage a range of programs of which some of the largest are in Nigeria as well as ancillary programs supported across the continent. This strategy was aimed mainly towards financial and digital inclusion, policy, advocacy and shifting market systems development to better serve Africa’s citizens and lift millions out of poverty.

Candidates needed to be entrenched in the Nigerian financial services ecosystem with technical expertise on payment systems and cross-border interoperability alongside having commercial and not-for-profit sector credibility. The successful candidate needed to be credible trusted advisor to Nigeria’s leaders. An understanding and immersion in the local ecosystem was imperative in this case, not least because of the substantial size of the banking market in Nigeria.

As with all hiring projects at this level, the process was long and complex with no time limit to ensure there were no constraints to finding the right person. Apart from extensive research and an international candidate pool, it also involved many panel interviews with stakeholders from around the world, all of whom were involved in the approval process. Multiple stakeholders were also from the client side. Personality profiling was also involved in the project, such was the level of importance of the person chosen to be the right fit.

Our Approach

• Close collaboration and consultation with the client and project team to clearly articulate, understand and execute the engagement in a timely manner.
• Research, headhunting, shortlisting, interview and closing the assignment.
• Provide input for the development for a concise Job Description and Person Specifications where necessary for each position.
• Talent Mapping to identify individuals with the required competence, skills and right attributes prior to narrowing in on specific candidates to attract into the candidate pool.

The right investment of time yields exceptional results

A prominent Nigerian businesswoman was appointed into the role who possessed vast experience in management consulting, special advisory and directorship of a Financial Services Group. Her background really positioned her to make a strong start on some substantial projects that needed to commence, and which was done seamlessly.

Given the level and the philanthropic nature of the organization, assignments such as these go beyond the commercial incentives to contributing to actual growth and development on the continent, making it particularly fulfilling for Kestria. The seamless work with an engaged and highly supportive client coupled with our extensive global network made the project progress seamless and any hurdles or difficulties easy to overcome and learn from.

Change for the better is on the way… and we're happy to be there

Per our experts, recent world events have brought about a shift in the corporate dynamic, with African business leaders looking to resolve leadership needs closer to home. Kestria’s position as a trusted advisor with local connections means we are more than able to adapt to this and help the client to do the same. This is made even more apparent by the fact that this one hire resulted in further hires into prominent positions and further projects for the future across the continent.