THE OPPORTUNITY
The Lead, Entrepreneurship will facilitate the execution of entrepreneurship-focused initiatives in Kenya, collaborating closely with the Head, Entrepreneurship. This position will leverage specialized technical knowledge in entrepreneurship to guide, oversee, and refine the Foundation’s programmatic efforts, ensuring they align with the Foundation’s strategic objectives and Kenya’s distinct landscape. Additionally, the role will foster collaborations that create meaningful employment opportunities for youth while championing innovations to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
You can make meaningful contributions in the following ways by leveraging your skills and experience to support key initiatives. Your role will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive project outcomes, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, you will be responsible for analyzing data to identify trends, proposing actionable solutions, and implementing processes to enhance efficiency. Strong communication skills and adaptability will be essential as you engage with stakeholders at various levels to achieve shared goals. Professional qualifications, including relevant certifications or advanced degrees, may be required, while hands-on experience in a similar capacity will be highly valued.
Provide technical expertise to contribute to the formulation of the country strategy, focusing on entrepreneurship and employment systems.
Oversee designated initiatives centered on entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, with a particular emphasis on rural and agricultural finance programs.
Facilitate the tailoring and execution of program strategies to align with the unique context of each country, with a strong emphasis on addressing local needs and leveraging available opportunities.
Partner with implementation partners to facilitate the successful execution of program activities, offering specialized technical guidance as needed.
Cultivate and enhance partnerships with affiliated entities and stakeholders to ensure the achievement of program objectives.
Facilitate the development and implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and expanding entrepreneurial ventures.
Facilitate organizational growth and knowledge enhancement by systematically recording key insights, compiling impactful case studies, and engaging in structured internal evaluations.
Facilitate the dissemination of key insights and actionable learnings to internal teams and external stakeholders, thereby enhancing thought leadership on youth employment across the African continent.
Conduct thorough due diligence and review procedures to evaluate potential new programs and partnerships.
Track and analyze program performance, providing detailed reports on essential metrics and advancements toward established outcomes.
Foster alignment of initiatives with the Foundation’s core values, guiding principles, and country-specific strategic objectives.
Collaborate with internal working groups and cross-functional teams to facilitate entrepreneurship-related initiatives.
Actively pursue opportunities to deepen and expand your knowledge in entrepreneurship and the surrounding ecosystem on an ongoing basis.
WHO YOU ARE
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or commensurate professional experience, in Finance or Business is required.
A minimum of a decade of hands-on experience within microfinance institutions, banks, or investment firms actively financing small and medium-sized enterprises across Africa—particularly in Kenya—along with at least five years in a managerial capacity.
Proven expertise in the Kenyan entrepreneurship ecosystem, encompassing rural enterprises, agricultural ventures, and informal sector dynamics.
Seeking candidates with a proven track record of collaborating with or overseeing implementation partners to ensure seamless project execution and alignment with organizational objectives.
Proven expertise in systems change methodologies coupled with a flexible, adaptive learning approach.
Robust analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, and the capacity to serve as a valuable thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy formulation are essential.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in financial planning and allocation of resources, adept at overseeing and optimizing a substantial portfolio of assets with precision and strategic insight.
Skilled in both quantitative and qualitative business analytics, with a high degree of proficiency.
Consistently demonstrates strong verbal, written, and presentation proficiencies, enabling clear and effective communication with diverse audiences across multiple cultural backgrounds.
Proven expertise in project management, with a strong ability to lead initiatives involving diverse stakeholders.
A strong understanding of digital inclusion policy is highly desirable.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
