CAHF is Hiring

The Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa is looking for two new dynamic staff members, to assist us in our mission to help Africa meet its need for affordable housing. We’re hiring an Office / Finance Manager and a Research Specialist, both positions based in Johannesburg, to start as soon as possible:

The Office / Finance Manager (OFM) will be responsible for general office administration, and for overseeing the administrative and financial management, accountability requirements of the CAHF, reporting directly to the Executive Director (ED). This position must assist in assuring the contractual integrity of all agreements entered into by CAHF, managing the procurement process and looking out for the interests of the organisation. At minimum, candidates should have 3-5 years experience in financial and office management, and be willing and able to work in a small team. Experience in donor-supported environments is desirable but not necessary. More important is efficiency, attention to detail, excellent organisation skills and a proactive approach to problem solving. Candidates must be able to work with Microsoft Office programmes and computer-based accounting systems. We are looking for someone who will take CAHF forward to the next level, building its operational capacity so that it can respond effectively to its mission and vision for effective housing markets throughout Africa.

For more information, please download the detailed job description and an overview of CAHF’s Programme of Work from our website.

Candidates are invited to submit a detailed CV, with three references, and a cover letter outlining relevant experience and expectations for this work, to Samuel Suttner (samuel@housingfinanceafrica.org), by email, by Monday, 16 February 2015. Short listed candidates will be invited for an interview. Work to start ASAP.

The Research Specialist will assist CAHF in pursuing its mission for making housing finance markets work throughout Africa, supporting the growth and development of CAHF’s knowledge platform – our central offering to Africa’s housing finance sector. In this, he or she will need to keep abreast of all of the activity within CAHF, and to develop mechanisms to improve the research programme and disseminate its outputs effectively and strategically. While reporting and providing support to the Executive Director, the Research Specialist will also support the research needs of other staff members, providing the link between CAHF’s different areas of work. Over time, it is possible that the Research Specialist may grow to become the Manager of the Research and Knowledge Management Division.

At minimum, candidates should have an honours degree in a related field (economics, finance, housing, planning, development studies), and some experience in working in a research environment. An interest in housing finance and Africa’s development challenges is important. Ability and willingness to work in a small team is critical – this job will require flexibility, creativity and a proactive approach to the task. Critically, candidates should have excellent analytical and writing skills. They must also be able to conduct basic research, create a database of research knowledge and have strong administrative coordination, planning and monitoring competencies. Ability to work with data is desirable. We are looking for someone who will champion the research focus of CAHF and build our capacity further to address the research and information needs in Africa’s housing finance sector. Their key responsibilities will be monitoring developments in the sector, drafting terms of reference, drafting and publishing newsletters, website management, supporting CAHF staff and associates in research efforts, and providing overall research support to the CAHF programme of work.

For more information, please download the detailed job description and an overview of CAHF’s Programme of Work from our website. 

Candidates are invited to submit a detailed CV, with three references, a South African work permit (if necessary), and a cover letter outlining relevant experience and expectations for this work, to Kecia Rust (kecia@housingfinanceafrica.org), by email, by Friday, 20 February 2015. Short listed candidates will be asked to write a one page blog on a topic to be announced. Work to start ASAP.