Purpose of the Role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as the operational backbone of P4L Fund, responsible for translating strategic vision into execution across guaranteed operations, underwriting services, supply chain orchestration, and risk management. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will oversee day-to-day operations, ensure seamless functioning of the Offtake Guarantee Fund, and drive operational excellence across the agricultural ecosystem.

This role demands a leader with deep expertise in structured trade, financial underwriting, and agribusiness operations, capable of balancing macroeconomic realities with micro-level execution in logistics, aggregation, and guarantee administration

Key Responsibilities

Operational Strategy & Governance

Lead the design of the Standard Operating Procedures for the entire guarantee lifecycle, ensuring absolute segregation of duties across investment, risk, and operations.
Ensure that all operational workflows meet the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other applicable laws governing unit trust schemes.
Oversee the deployment of an automated Guarantee Management System that integrates real-time monitoring and payout triggers.

Guarantee Operations & Underwriting

Oversee end-to-end guarantee administration, including evaluation, structuring, issuance, monitoring, and claim handling.
Lead underwriting services to ensure guarantees are commercially sound, risk-balanced, and aligned with Fund policies.
Establish robust processes for guarantee appraisal, payout verification, and recovery management.
Maintain an auditable Guarantee Register and ensure compliance with SEC and Trust Deed provisions.

Operational Excellence & Supply Chain Oversight

Design and implement best-in-class processes for aggregation, logistics, warehousing, and cold chain management.
Monitor corridor performance, delivery schedules, and inventory health to minimize post-harvest losses.
Ensure operational efficiency across transport fleets, storage facilities, and distribution hubs.

Risk Management & Compliance

Collaborate with the Technical Consultant to develop and enforce risk frameworks covering credit, operational, logistics, and commodity-market risks.
Implement early-warning systems to flag delivery delays, production shortfalls, and financial distress.
Uphold ESG compliance across all operations, ensuring adherence to Lagos Food Systems ESG standards.

Financial & Commercial Stewardship

Ensure disciplined financial management of guarantee operations and underwriting services.
Facilitate structured access to trade finance and working capital for ecosystem partners.
Oversee co-investments in strategic ventures and infrastructure assets that enhance ecosystem performance.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Management

Act as the primary operational interface with PFIs, aggregators, processors, logistics operators, and institutional buyers.
Negotiate and execute strategic trade agreements, forward contracts, and offtake arrangements.
Build trust and collaboration with governments, DFIs, and commercial banks to strengthen program credibility.

Executive Leadership & Team Performance

Recruit and develop a multidisciplinary team of risk analysts, underwriters, and operations experts who embody the P4L values
Design and monitor rigorous KPIs for all operational heads, ensuring that Speed to Decision is balanced with Quality of Underwriting
Represent P4L in technical sessions with Trustees, SEC regulators, and institutional investors to explain the Fund’s operational health.

Governance & Reporting

Serve as Secretariat for operational committees, ensuring timely documentation and execution of resolutions.
Provide monthly, quarterly, and annual operational reports, including guarantee utilization, repayment performance, and risk dashboards.
Support independent audits and regulatory reporting requirements.

Qualifications & Certificates

· Minimum of 20–25 years’ senior leadership experience in agribusiness, trade finance, underwriting, or supply chain management.

· Advanced degree in Business Administration, Finance, Agriculture, or Economics (MBA preferred).

Experience Required

· Proven track record in managing large-scale agricultural programs or structured trade operations.

· Expertise in guarantee operations, underwriting, and risk management frameworks.

· Strong knowledge of SEC regulations, investment management, and compliance standards.

· Demonstrated success in digital transformation and technology adoption in agribusiness.

· Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

· Skilled at building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, including at the most senior levels

· Skilled in articulating and presenting compelling value propositions for service offerings

· Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

· Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to balance conflicting interests

· Self-motivated with the ability to work well both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

· Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment

· Ability to deal with ambiguity, find creative resolutions, and drive for results