Application Guide
How to Apply for Head of Agri-Processed Export and Venture Builder
at Africa Jobs Fund
🏢 About Africa Jobs Fund
The Africa Jobs Fund is a mission-driven investment organization that funds and supports ventures in export manufacturing and international labor mobility to increase incomes for Africans. Unlike traditional VC or PE firms, they take a hands-on venture-building approach, co-creating companies from inception and providing operational support to founders. Working here means directly contributing to job creation and economic transformation across the continent.
About This Role
As Head of Agri-Processed Export and Venture Builder, you will be both an investor and an operator—sourcing market opportunities and founders, building agri-processing and agri-export companies from scratch, and scaling them to create formal manufacturing jobs. You will structure deals, conduct cost-effectiveness analyses, and provide hands-on support to founders in securing certifications, vetting logistics, and solving operational challenges. This role is impactful because it directly addresses the lack of formal employment in Africa by creating export-oriented manufacturing businesses that compete internationally.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might involve evaluating a potential agri-processing investment in East Africa, then jumping on a call with a founder to troubleshoot a certification delay, followed by structuring a deal with an international buyer. You could also spend time analyzing cost-effectiveness models for a new export venture or networking to source the next founder. The role blends strategic investment work with hands-on operational support, all aimed at scaling job-creating businesses.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Africa Jobs Fund Is Looking For
- 5+ years of experience founding or operating agri-processing, agri-export, or related businesses with international buyers, ideally in Africa.
- Deep practical knowledge of export standards (e.g., GlobalG.A.P., HACCP, Fairtrade), farm-to-buyer supply chains, and logistics for agricultural commodities.
- Strong network across African agribusiness, including farmers, processors, exporters, and international buyers.
- Experience in investment assessment, deal structuring, and cost-effectiveness analysis for early-stage ventures.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to get hands-on, from certification paperwork to operational troubleshooting.
📝 Tips for Applying to Africa Jobs Fund
Highlight specific agri-processing or agri-export ventures you have founded or operated, including the international buyers you worked with and the certifications you secured.
Demonstrate your understanding of Africa's agricultural export landscape by referencing specific countries, commodities, and value chains relevant to the role.
Show your ability to both invest and operate—provide examples of deal structuring and cost-effectiveness analyses you've conducted, as well as operational problem-solving.
Emphasize your network and ability to source founders and market opportunities, perhaps mentioning past collaborations with African agripreneurs.
Align your motivation with Africa Jobs Fund's mission of job creation; articulate how your work has directly led to formal employment in manufacturing.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience in building agri-processing or agri-export businesses from inception to scale, including securing certifications and connecting to international buyers.', 'Your ability to identify and assess investment opportunities, structure deals, and conduct cost-effectiveness analyses for companies entering international markets.', "Your deep understanding of African agricultural supply chains and export standards, with concrete examples of challenges you've solved.", "Your passion for creating formal manufacturing jobs in Africa and how you've contributed to job creation through your previous ventures."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Africa Jobs Fund's portfolio companies to understand their investment thesis, sectors, and the types of ventures they support.
- → Research the current state of agri-processing and agri-export in specific African countries, including key commodities, export volumes, and challenges.
- → Familiarize yourself with international export standards and certifications relevant to agri-products, such as GlobalG.A.P., Organic, and Fairtrade.
- → Identify recent trends in African agri-export, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its implications for intra-African trade.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on investment analysis without demonstrating hands-on operational experience in agri-processing or export.
- Being vague about your Africa experience—avoid general statements; instead, specify countries, commodities, and roles.
- Ignoring the venture-building aspect and treating the role as a traditional investment position, rather than emphasizing your ability to co-create and support founders.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Africa Jobs Fund!