Regional Director - West Africa

About the Role

Norfund is seeking a Regional Director to spearhead its West Africa operations from Accra. This leadership role involves enhancing Norfund’s investment platform in the region and representing the organization among partners, portfolio companies, and stakeholders. As the senior representative for West Africa, you will lead investment initiatives, foster strategic partnerships, and ensure strong execution of regional objectives across multiple sectors, especially agribusiness and manufacturing. Your efforts will help identify and back profitable ventures that generate employment, improve livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

This position reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Scalable Enterprises and is part of Norfund’s Extended Management Team. It combines regional leadership responsibilities with collaboration alongside global investment units.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, lead, and nurture the West Africa team based in Accra to ensure high performance.
• Drive the origination of investments, business development, and strategic relationships within priority sectors, targeting profitable and impactful opportunities.
• Manage portfolio oversight, ensuring responsible ownership and effective risk control throughout the region.
• Serve as Norfund's external representative, cultivating robust relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, development finance bodies, industrial partners, governments, and other key stakeholders.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive senior leadership experience with direct responsibility for managing teams.
• A minimum of 15 years’ experience in investment-related domains such as private equity, project finance, M&A, or active ownership.
• A Master’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a closely related discipline.
• Proven expertise in Norfund’s key investment sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing, funds management, renewable energy, green infrastructure, or financial inclusion.
• Strong commercial insight and investment judgment demonstrated by making sound decisions in complex settings.
• Excellent analytical skills with a detailed and systematic approach to investment management and risk assessment.
• Experience managing and motivating culturally diverse teams.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship-building capabilities.
• Fluent English communication skills, with proficiency in French being an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• An inspiring and inclusive leadership style, with a passion for mentoring and developing others.
• Integrity and credibility as a relationship builder.
• Strategic thinker with a commercial focus and results-driven mindset.
• Highly organized and capable of juggling multiple priorities without compromising quality or attention to detail.
• Proactive problem solver with strong execution skills.
• Able to thrive in dynamic and complex environments.
• Collaborative and culturally sensitive, able to foster trust and cooperation across diverse groups.
• Willingness to travel extensively within West Africa to strengthen partnerships and support portfolio companies.
• Motivated by Norfund’s mission to generate enduring development impact.

What Norfund Offers

• A senior leadership role with substantial influence over one of the fund’s key investment regions.
• The chance to merge commercial expertise with meaningful development outcomes.
• An international, mission-driven environment fostering strong regional and cross-team collaboration.
• Access to a wide-ranging investment portfolio and extensive networks of entrepreneurs, investors, and finance institutions across Africa and globally.
• An opportunity to contribute to job creation, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development through responsible investment.

Additional Information

This position requires a base in Accra with frequent regional travel. Norfund values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. The organization is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and manages substantial portfolios aligned with sustainable development objectives. Applications including CV, diplomas, and transcripts must be submitted by August 2, 2026.