Lead, Debt Advisory

Job Summary

JOB PURPOSE

The Lead, Debt Advisory is responsible for driving FSD Africa’s sovereign debt advisory initiatives, ensuring that governments and financial institutions receive expert guidance in debt sustainability, liability management, and investor relations. The role focuses on structuring and implementing catalytic interventions that enhance sovereign debt markets, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote financial stability.

By leveraging blended finance approaches and engaging with policymakers, the role contributes to systemic market reforms that mitigate debt distress, mobilise private capital, and support long-term economic resilience across Africa. Through thought leadership, portfolio development, and high-impact partnerships, the Lead, Debt Advisory plays a key role in advancing FSD Africa’s mandate of transforming financial markets to drive sustainable development.

CONTRACT DURATION: 12-month fixed-term, renewable 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to Chief Financial Markets Officer (CFMO)
• Management Oversight for Consultants engaged on projects 

Job Details

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

1. Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

Act as a thought leader on how sovereign debt management and advisory can result in measurable benefits for African people, economies, and for the environment; developing a profound understanding of the sovereign debt landscape and potential change levers:

• Act as a thought leader on sovereign debt advisory, liability management, and investor relations, ensuring these areas drive financial market development and investment mobilisation in support of FSD Africa’s strategic goals.
• Lead the team in analysing market dynamics, synthesising existing research, and commissioning targeted studies to develop a deep understanding of sovereign debt frameworks, liability management structures, and financial market infrastructure; apply these insights to shape impactful interventions. 
• Continuously monitor the sovereign debt market and institutional frameworks for emerging risks and opportunities:
  • Provide strategic insights to inform FSD Africa’s debt advisory interventions and investment strategies.
  • Develop actionable insights and recommendations for investment opportunities to enhance the performance of the Debt Advisory Programme portfolio.
• Develop and refine financial models for sovereign debt structuring, credit enhancement mechanisms, and liability management strategies; produce reports and presentations for the Chief Financial Markets Officer to support decision-making.
• Act as FSD Africa's key advisor on sovereign debt structuring, market infrastructure, and credit enhancement mechanisms providing advice or support to Pillar Heads and Deal teams in line with FSD Africa's / FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) strategy.

2. Portfolio Development & Implementation

Drive the execution of the Debt Advisory Programme’s investment and project portfolio, in line with FSD Africa’s 5-year strategy; ensure that each individual investment, and the portfolio as a whole, achieves targeted results:

• In collaboration with the Chief Financial Markets Officer, develop the sections of the overall Pillar Strategy and Theory of Change that pertain to Debt Advisory; ensure a comprehensive understanding of the overall Pillar strategy, including the goals and targets for all thematic areas.
• Lead on scanning, prospecting, and evaluating potential investments for inclusion in the Debt Advisory’s portfolio; ensure that comprehensive Financial and Development Impact modelling is carried out to forecast investment returns.
• Lead the process of conceptualising, designing and writing high-quality investment proposals, integrating structuring of sovereign debt instruments and blended finance approaches to enhance financial sustainability and market resilience.
• Following approval, ensure that detailed implementation plans are developed, including budgets and procurement of consultants / implementing partners as required; as projects/investments progress, ensure that the accountability requirements of donors are met.
• Oversee the effective implementation of projects, holding the team accountable for implementing project plans, executing monitoring touchpoints and achieving project milestones on time and to standard; ensure that all required data entry and reporting is carried out on time and to standard.

3. Fund Management

Lead the financial planning and resource mobilisation strategy for the Debt Advisory Programme, ensuring financial sustainability and value for money in the deployment of resources:

• Identify potential donors and funding leads, building relationships and co-designing project concepts if appropriate; support the Director by leading the development of funding proposals for the Debt Advisory Pillar.
• Lead the analysis of both individual investment and overall portfolio performance; encourage the team to identify and implement opportunities for improvement and to explore possibilities for scaling up successful approaches.
• Track and monitor budget spend and associated activities ensuring cost-effective utilisation of resources and timely achievement of financial targets.
• Conceptualise how funds and other limited resources may be best allocated to achieve optimum impact; including supervising the work of consultants to optimise value for money.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Financial Markets Officer and the Risk team to develop and role model a culture of effective risk and compliance management; take personal responsibility for managing risk and ensuring compliance of the projects being supervised.

 4. Relationships & Influencing

Lead the implementation of an influencing and engagement strategy to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring effective collaboration in sovereign debt management and policy reform.

• Ensure stakeholder mapping is integrated into market research and ecosystem analysis to identify key actors critical to sovereign debt reform and advisory.
• In collaboration with colleagues, play a leading role in the development of a Communication and Influencing Plan for the Debt Advisory pillar; lead the implementation of actions relevant for the projects being supervised.
• Engage with strategic partners and high-level stakeholders to advance debt advisory initiatives, contributing expertise in technical working groups and policy dialogues on sovereign debt management.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, for instance, government debt management offices, central banks, and institutional investors; collaborate with them to implement FSD Africa’s Debt Advisory strategy and strengthen debt management practices.
• At all times represent FSD Africa in a manner that upholds FSD Africa's brand standards and aligns with our Purpose and Values.

5. Implementing Partner Selection & Engagement

Lead the identification, engagement, and capacity-building of implementing partners to ensure effective collaboration and contribution to the Debt Advisory Programme strategy, particularly in sovereign debt management.

• Select partners strategically, ensuring complementary expertise in areas such as sovereign debt structuring, fiscal policy, and financial regulation.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with senior leaders of implementing partners, fostering collaboration on sovereign debt solutions and addressing any challenges proactively.
• Engage partners in joint strategy development and project design to drive impactful reforms in sovereign debt management and financial stability.
• Ensure each initiative has a robust performance monitoring framework, integrating due diligence findings and contractual provisions, with capacity-building measures as required.
• Provide high-quality technical and advisory support to implementing partners, consultants, and government bodies, strengthening sovereign debt management strategies, institutional capacity, and financial stability.

6. Team Leadership 

Build and lead the Debt Advisory team of staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value to FSD Africa and deliver high standards of performance.

• Ensure that the Debt Advisory team is resourced with the expertise necessary to effectively build and manage the portfolio - through a combination of recruitment and management of staff and procurement of consultants.
• Provide clarity on roles, expectations, and performance standards for all team members.
• Foster a high-performance culture through coaching, professional development, and mentorship.
• Monitor and review performance, ensuring accountability for results and adherence to FSD Africa’s values.
• Deliver an engaging leadership style that motivates team members, fosters collaboration, and promotes FSD Africa’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles.

Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

COMPETENCIES
Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes. 

Competency Levels 

• Level 1: Basic
• Level 2: Foundation   
• Level 3: Specialist
• Level 4: Senior Specialist      
• Level 5: Leading Expert          
• Level 6: Executive

This position requires competency at Leading Expert Level for all the competencies listed below:

ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS
Commitment & Alignment
Demonstrates commitment to serving our partners and alignment with the values and vision of FSD Africa
Change & Challenge
Has a strong sense of ownership that leads to learning, self-starting, taking initiative, driving change and leading development
 

ACHIEVEMENT COMPETENCIES
Situational Awareness & Thinking
Thinks clearly and intentionally, analysing information objectively, understanding issues, solving problems, and making decisions
Drive for results
Is keenly motivated to achieve goals & act with accountability to deliver quality results
 

PEOPLE COMPETENCIES
Relationships & Collaboration
Discerns and appreciates the values, viewpoints, or abilities of others; effectively reconciles different interests and displays emotional intelligence
Communication & Influencing
Deliberately adjusts behaviour to accommodate others; communicates clearly, confidently, and appropriately to influence others
 

Requirements

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s degree and 12 years of experience or Bachelor’s degree and 14 years of experience.
• Extensive experience in sovereign debt management, liability management, capital markets, or public finance.
• At least 5 years in a senior advisory or leadership role, with expertise in sovereign debt markets, liability management, and policy reform.
• Exceptional skills in written and spoken English.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Proven track record of advising on debt sustainability and market development at a national or regional level.
• Expertise in sovereign debt structuring, liability management, and innovative debt instruments.
• Strong background in sovereign debt issuance, liability risk analysis, fiscal policy, and market-based financing solutions.
• Demonstrated success in mobilising capital for sovereign debt financing, securing co-investment, and donor/investor engagement.
• Experience in regulatory engagement and policy advocacy to drive sovereign debt market development and fiscal policy reforms.
• Strong ability to build and manage relationships with government agencies, financial institutions, and investors.
• Familiarity with major stakeholders in Africa’s debt and financial markets ecosystem.

Desirable

• Experience in multi-cultural environments and international debt markets.
• Knowledge of donor policies and FCDO-funded programmes.
• Proficiency in French or local African languages.
   

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity: 

FSDAi is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of equity and inclusivity.  We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We will ensure that all applicants are provided a fair chance to compete for available job opportunities.

About Company

FSD Africa

https://fsdafrica.org/

FSD Africa is a specialist development agency working to help make finance work for Africa’s future. Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts work alongside governments, business leaders, regulators, and policymakers to design and build ambitious programmes that make financial markets work better for everyone. FSD Africa Investments, provides early-stage, risk-bearing, catalytic and patient capital to inventive commercial organisations in order to stimulate capital flows in support of green economic growth benefiting people and planet. Established in 2012, FSD Africa is incorporated as a non-profit company limited by guarantee in Kenya. It is funded by UK aid from the UK government.