JOB PURPOSE:
Spearhead the Financial Inclusion Fund – SBDC Pilot Program, strategically enhancing its delivery and scalability to empower high-potential entrepreneurs in Basin Gish, Myers, and Mombasa counties, while simultaneously developing a replicable framework for nationwide implementation across Kenya.
Providing leadership and guidance to the team, you will manage and oversee daily operations, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing strategic initiatives, monitoring performance metrics, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Additionally, you will identify opportunities for process improvements, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Strong analytical and decision-making skills will be essential to drive innovation and achieve operational excellence.
Provide strategic direction and governance to ensure the effective execution and expansion of the SBDC Pilot Program across Basin Gish, Myers, and Mombasa counties.
Foster strategic partnerships with the Financial Inclusion Fund, the Livelihood Impact Fund (IF), governmental bodies, development organizations, and other critical institutional stakeholders to advance collaborative initiatives and mutual objectives.
Responsible for managing program implementation, guaranteeing the punctual achievement of key milestones, high-quality deliverables, strict adherence to budgetary constraints, and full compliance with donor and institutional mandates.
Provide guidance and assistance to the Project Manager and the broader program team, cultivating an environment characterized by high performance and a results-oriented mindset.
Lead program monitoring, evaluation, and learning initiatives to enhance evidence generation, while driving adaptive decision-making for improved program effectiveness. Provide strategic guidance to inform national scale-up efforts, ensuring data-driven insights inform continuous improvement and impact.
Maintain the quality and integrity of program deliverables, reports, and communications while ensuring robust stakeholder engagement practices.
Serve as the primary representative for the program in high-level forums, policy dialogues, and strategic alliances, championing the SBDC model as a leading approach to MSME development in Kenya.
Spearhead efforts to secure resources and identify strategic growth opportunities, ensuring the program’s sustainability and expansion beyond the pilot phase.
To assess and oversee strategic, operational, and financial risks, thereby safeguarding effective program delivery and sustained long-term impact.
Requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in a similar role, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Must possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in data analysis tools, and the ability to interpret complex information. Demonstrated experience in project management, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional collaboration is essential. Familiarity with industry regulations and compliance standards is also required. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities are necessary to convey findings and recommendations clearly.
The successful candidate must possess and be able to evidence the following qualifications, attributes, and competencies:
With over 15 years of senior leadership expertise, overseeing substantial and intricate development initiatives or donor-funded programs.
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline, including International Development, Public Administration, or Economic Development, is required.
Accumulated over seven years of professional experience, a demonstrated expertise in establishing and overseeing multi-stakeholder partnerships that span government entities, donor organizations, private sector firms, and civil society institutions.
Demonstrates strong leadership capabilities in program administration, with a focus on financial management, contract supervision, and team leadership.
Proven expertise in managing compliance, reporting, and results-based frameworks for donor-funded initiatives is required.
Relishes the opportunity to travel as necessary to facilitate program implementation and foster stakeholder relationships.
To submit your application, follow the designated method provided. Ensure all required materials are prepared in accordance with the specified guidelines. Carefully review the submission instructions to avoid any omissions or inaccuracies. Complete the application process by adhering to the outlined steps and deadlines. If any clarification is needed regarding the submission process, do not hesitate to seek further information.
If you meet the qualifications for this role and wish to apply, kindly submit your application. Include a cover letter and an updated résumé, referencing ‘Project Director’ in the subject line, and send them to the Hiring Team at Strath more University Business School via careerssbs@strathmore.edu.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
15 years
