Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or related field. 

• Minimum of fifteen 15 years of experience in the Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development /Business Development or related role in the private sector, with seven (7) years of experience leading and managing a team.

• Demonstrated expertise and established networks and relationships in Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development /Business Development or related sector in Kenya.

• Deep knowledge of the country’s employment, job creation, innovation landscape

• Proven track record of working with and mentoring successful entrepreneurship endeavors 

• Experience in initiating new initiatives, preferable in Enterprise/Business development

• Proven experience effectively engaging and collaborating with high-level government officials, key partners, media, business leaders and other network influencers.

• Experience with entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Kenyan economic, political context, public sector priorities, and evolving nature of private sector

• Exposure to systems thinking with an ability to understand and engage with stakeholders in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development and design programming that addresses root causes and critical needs.

• Substantive knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development integration and strong understanding of Country policy, practices, and priorities.

• Strategic thinker, Innovative with strong influencing skills

• Ability to interact with diverse and senior stakeholders

• Demonstrates strong organizational skills with excellent prioritization and attention to detail.

• Excellent leadership and team management skill

• Comfortable and highly effective when faced with ambiguity and/or complexity

• Able to formulate and develop new or creative ideas and approaches

• Lead the design and execution of the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development portfolio of the country strategy, ensuring alignment with national priorities and the Foundation’s vision.

• Build out and integrate an inclusive Access to Finance strategy that enhances financial inclusion and MSME growth for youth and women-led enterprises.

• Define short- and long-term goals for the portfolio, guiding strategic direction, programmatic design, and partnership choices.

• Oversee the implementation and performance of entrepreneurship-focused programs and partnerships, ensuring effective delivery, coordination, and continuous improvement.

• Provide support to other strategic pillars on matters access to finance and enterprise development

• Guide the design and implementation of market-driven interventions in access to finance, digital enablement, BDS, and sectoral entrepreneurship (e.g., agriculture and green economy).

• Embed technology as an enabler across the portfolio.

• Manage program risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable impact

• Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with partners, government institutions, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to amplify scale and impact.

• Foster knowledge exchange and learning through internal and external convenings, documentation of insights, and active participation in communities of practice.

• Promote innovation, agility, and a results-driven culture to enable impactful partnerships and scalable solutions.

• Coach, mentor, and empower team members to uphold Foundation values and deliver meaningful outcomes for young people.

• Provide leadership and performance management for the Entrepreneurship team and contribute to cross-functional team development.

• Collaborate across countries, functions, and leadership levels to strengthen the Foundation’s entrepreneurship portfolio.