Company Overview

The Pharo Foundation (the ‘’Foundation”) is a privately funded entrepreneurial organization that runs philanthropic programmes as well as for-profit social ventures. The Vision of the Foundation is an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa. The Mission is to achieve the Vision by investing in the human and physical capital of Africa, with a strong focus on job creation. Established in 2011 as a UK based non-profit, the Foundation has since made a strategic shift to directly design and implement its own programmes to ensure greater engagement with communities, better results and increased accountability.

The Foundation has carried out numerous projects in East Africa, with a focus on Ethiopia and Somaliland and has now established an office in Rwanda. The key strategic pillars for the philanthropic side of the Foundation are education, health, water and agriculture. At the end of 2019, the Foundation also started its Pharo Ventures franchise to priority sectors where the Foundation believes a real impact can be made by establishing self-sustaining businesses, which focus on job and economic value creation. 

The Foundation has a programme office in the Benishangul Gumuz regional state in Ethiopia with further expansion plans in the Amhara region, whilst our work in the regional capital Assosa mainly focuses on health, agriculture and education. The Foundation has been implementing an integrated livelihood development programme, which includes agriculture, water, health and education components. Since its establishment in 2016, the Pharo Foundation Ethiopia office has been engaged in a variety of construction projects, the most important of which are school, health, agricultural, and WASH facilities. The majority of these projects were outsourced, but the Foundation also has good experience with in-house building. The remodeling of the Pharo Diagnosis Center and portions of the Shaga Agricultural Unit are major examples. Establishing an in-house construction unit will be critical in shifting our projects from outsourcing to in-house construction.

Headquartered in London, the Foundation has an operational head office in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa and Assosa), Somaliland (Hargeisa) and Rwanda (Kigali).

Position Summary

• The GM, Construction Unit role is a senior leadership position based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The role will report to the Country Representative based in Ethiopia.
• The GM, Construction Unit will lead the development and execution of the business strategy. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for building the Foundation construction unit, accountable for impact and financial results, in charge of shaping the work environment and culture. Furthermore, the GM, Construction Unit will build and develop the team, deliver on objectives and results, oversee all operations including business development, and ensure efficient allocation of resources.
• The role requires an entrepreneurial and seasoned commercial leader in the construction sector, with significant experience in setting up and running a construction business. The GM, Construction Unit will be comfortable with the financial, commercial, operational and strategic aspects of a construction business. In addition, the incumbent will be a strong team leader and an excellent relationship manager, both internally and externally, with various stakeholders.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategy Development and Execution
• Drive the planning, implementation and monitoring of the construction business strategy for Ethiopia, working closely with a variety of stakeholders.
• Lead the innovation agenda and move the business into new strategic areas, including building a full design and construction service line.
• Develop specific business plans as required for company growth and expansion.
• Continuously scan the market and carry out competitiveness assessment as required, ensuring that the organisation has all the necessary market information for decision-making.
• Monitor the legal and regulatory environment and advise of critical changes as and when needed.
• Lead the brand building efforts for the business, including, briefings and public relations material.

 Operations Management

• Oversee and direct construction projects from conception to completion and review the projects and schedule deliverables and estimate costs.
• Oversee all onsite and offsite construction to monitor compliance with building and safety regulations.
• Meet contractual conditions of performance and prepare internal and external reports pertaining to construction project status.
• Negotiate terms of agreements, draft contracts and obtain permits and licenses. Analyse, manage and mitigate risks.
• Ensure quality construction standards and the use of proper construction techniques.
•  Business Development and Relationship Management
•  Represent the Foundation in all construction dealings with third parties as well as with local and federal government representatives in Ethiopia.
• Develop and nurture relationships with the key stakeholders internally and externally, including major partners.
• Responsible for new business development in line with agreed targets and objectives. Achieve superior growth and market performance through entrepreneurial approaches and innovative business concepts.
• Ensure customer retention and build relationships that guarantees repeat business.
• Work with the team to ensure excellent customer service and monitor customer satisfaction on a regular basis.

 Performance Management, Reporting and Learning

• Through quantitative and qualitative impact data and financial analysis, identify the strengths and opportunities to improve overall performance of the organization.
• Develop annual key performance indicators and targets. Ensure the Foundation meets the planned targets and performance standards.
• Report on overall performance, at agreed periodic intervals or as and when required.
• Ensure that the Foundation and team operates on approved budgets, monitor their implementation and update the Country Representative regularly.

 Leadership

• Provide overall leadership to the Foundation construction team and ensure alignment of overall objectives.
• Manage team performance and drive a culture of excellence in the organization.
• Provide input in the development of employee policies to ensure attraction and retention of skilled staff.
• Mentor and coach staff, ensuring the organization continuously builds the internal skills complement.

 Risk Management

1. Continuously and proactively assess high-level risks to the organization. Communicate the risks and manage the risks by developing mitigation measures.
2. Ensure the protection of company assets, premises and employees; manage and approve insurance and other appropriate risk mitigation measures.
3. Develop a risk profile and regularly report on risk to the organization.

Role: GM, Construction Unit             

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract type: Permanent

Reporting to: Country Representative

Functional Relationships: The Pharo Foundation Leadership Team

External Relationships: Local authorities, External legal and regulatory teams, Customers, suppliers and service providers, Government stakeholders and Investment agency.

Direct Reports: The Pharo Foundation Construction Supervisors, Finance and Procurement Heads of the Pharo Foundation Construction.

Job Requirements

Qualification Requirement

• BSc degree or equivalent in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering or related field.
• MBA or post-graduate diploma in business studies is strongly preferred.
• At least 8 years’ relevant working experience in construction management, of which at least 5 years at senior managerial level or leading teams.
• Experience in setting up a construction venture, policies, procedures, processes and operational guidelines.
• Advanced knowledge of construction management processes, procedures, and methods. Familiarity with software packages for construction management
• Expert knowledge of building products, construction details and relevant rules, regulations and quality standards.
• Ability to plan and see the “big picture
• Commercially astute, with a solid understanding of the Ethiopia business and construction environment
• Demonstrable skills in project management - implementation, including performance monitoring, budget preparation and tracking
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, familiar with and able to operate in a fast-paced international and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent communication (writing, listening and presentation) skills coupled with the ability to analyze and explain relevant data. Excellent spoken and written English
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a multiplicity of stakeholders
• Solid negotiation, coaching and inter-personal skills.
• Very good computer skills with ability to work using MS Office suite and MS Project.
• Attention to detail and a flexible approach to work. A self-starter, capable of working independently.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required within Ethiopia and in the region.
• Competent in conflict and crisis management

Behavioral Competencies

• Ability to combine strategic thinking and the capacity to operationalize the strategy.
• Structured, process oriented and a logical thinker.
• Excellent time-manager who can balance multiple priorities.
• Willing to challenge status quo and add value by introducing positive change.
• Good communicator and comfortable to work in a team environment.
• High professional and ethical standards.

How to Apply

Review of complete applications will be on a rolling basis. In the event that we identify an outstanding applicant early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible opportunity. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we will only be able to contact short-listed candidates. Please send the information listed below, as a single PDF file, to the following email address: recruiting.et@pharofoundation.org. Please indicate ‘’Application for GM, Construction Unit’’ in the email subject line. 

• A detailed CV and Covering Letter,
• A 1,000-word essay on both of these: What experience have you gained that makes you the most qualified candidate for the role? What major challenges would you envisage in construction development sector in Ethiopia and how would you contribute to resolve these using your experience?
• One-page list of five references with current addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts.