Head of Enterprise for social investment

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is evolving. It aims to enter the social enterprises market to enhance financial sustainability and positively impact more lives by providing robust health and social care. We seek assistance in creating an effective social investment strategy.

What difference will you make?

Your contributions to our social investment proposals will influence how we present ourselves to organisations that fund, sponsor, service users, stakeholders, funders, and the public. With your assistance, we will ensure that our proposals and related resources accurately reflect our organisation's vision and impact.

What are we looking for?

Education, Skills And Experience

• An honours degree is required, although a master's would be an added advantage.
• At least three years of proven experience in social investment, finance, banking, impact investing, fund management, or a related field.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in financial due diligence, impact assessment, and risk analysis.
• Ability to engage and influence fund managers and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in producing investment reports and presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Commitment to the foundation's mission and a strong understanding of impact measurement frameworks.
• Skilled networker, able to create and manage networks with diverse people and groups.
• Proven ability to negotiate and agree terms of investment, ensuring a balance between financial returns and social impact while aligning with organisational priorities and stakeholder interests.
• Strong risk management skills, including the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate financial, operational, and impact-related risks in social investments. We're looking for a confident, experienced business development professional who can lead, deliver and grow income across multiple channels. You will have
• Significant (e.g. 5yrs+) proven experience in business development, fundraising, and/or tendering in a social enterprise, charity, or adult skills (qualifications) environment.
• Experience in taking a new product or service to market -and ideally launching something new, not just repeating a process.
• Strong commercial awareness; understanding pricing, value propositions and client needs.
• Excellent communication skills, with a portfolio of successful projects or deals.
• Confidence in managing relationships with senior stakeholders and representing an organisation externally.
• The ability to work at pace, independently, and with minimal supervision while being collaborative across a small team.
• Experience in helping an organisation to grow and scale
• An understanding of modern business strategies
• Alignment with AHO's values and a commitment to purposeful work

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the UK social enterprise and social investment landscape, including key players, regulatory considerations, social policy and market trends.

Experience

• At least three years of experience operating within a social investment setting, either as a fund manager or social investor.
• Experienced in using Information Systems as a vehicle for innovative, effective and efficient methods of working.
• Understanding the potential of Information Systems for the AHO Foundation and the ability to apply this to the development of new services and systems.

Behaviours, Qualities and Attitude

• A strategic thinker with a proactive and results-driven approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• High levels of integrity, accountability, and sound judgment in decision-making.
• A collaborative team player with a flexible and adaptable approach.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Passionate about social impact and committed to driving positive change through investment.
• A problem-solver with a keen eye for detail and a structured approach to challenges.
• Resilient and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently when required.
• Professional qualification in business, finance, investment, or a related discipline (e.g., CMI, ILM, CFA, ACA).
• Experience in fund structuring and governance.
• Understanding of ESG and responsible investment principles.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Head of Enterprise to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO) Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to elevate our impact further.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding sources by venturing into social enterprise trading. Our goal is to venture into the UK social enterprise sector by establishing a charity shop, restaurant, pub, bar, hair salon and commissioned services. We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Enterprise who can develop and execute a winning social investment proposal to secure the necessary financial backing. There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, from the Social Investment Business and Community Investment Fund, Flexible Finance, Ubele Initiative, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and other social investment sources, and we're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll lead, plan and execute our social investment loans and grants writing efforts, ensuring that our proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways. If you're a social investment loan and grant writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid writing team, making a positive impact together. Join us on this exciting journey