TechnoServe Start Up! Capacity Development Senior Manager Job Opening in Nairobi Kenya May 2014

TechnoServe Start Up! Capacity Development Senior Manager Job Opening in Nairobi Kenya May 2014

Senior Manager, Capacity Development, Start Up!

Reporting to Program Director

Location: Nairobi

TechnoServe Background TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries.

We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets.

Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities.

With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.

Program Description: The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has signaled its intention to launch a program that will strengthen the small and growing businesses (SGB) sector and support to startup companies in target countries, including South Africa, by developing the local enabling environment and a robust ecosystem for start-ups.

The program aims to work within the existing ecosystem to improve access of entrepreneurs to financial capital, skills and professional networks, and other financial and non-financial support to support entrepreneurs to transform business ideas into reality; and thereby increase the creation of high productivity jobs and incomes in key sectors of South Africa.

In Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, the program will work with investors, incubation hubs, business service providers and other stakeholders to strengthen auxiliary services, encourage investment and enable the growth of the SME sector.

In line with DFID’s priorities in sub-Saharan Africa, the program will focus upon industries and enterprises with the potential to create jobs for poor people and develop products and services for Base of the Pyramid consumers.

Position Description: The Senior Manager, Capacity Development will lead a team of key staff to build capacity for actors from throughout the business development support system. Anticipated start date for the project is Q4 2014.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Senior Manager will ensure that the following activities are undertaken either directly or through direct reports:

Building Partnerships: – Identify key SME / entrepreneurship support institutions (incubation hubs, business development service providers, mentoring and networking services).Design and manage a program of stakeholder events, workshops and knowledge-sharing for the sector

Capacity Building: – Map needs within SME / entrepreneurship support ecosystem. Identify and develop resources on best practices in entrepreneurship support both regionally and globally
Coach and mentor SME / entrepreneurship support institutions to enable them to address scale and sustainability challenges

Access to Finance: – Support entrepreneurship support organizations with investment-readiness and due diligence. Develop business models for entrepreneurship support organizations. Facilitate interactions between BDS providers and financial institutions through market linkages, advisory services and technical assistance. Contribute to overall program strategy on increasing investment for entrepreneurs and SMEs

Minimum Requirements

MA or higher degree in business administration, economics, marketing or related discipline, MBA preferred
At least 5 years of post-graduate experience in capacity-building, coaching and mentoring within the private sector and/or development spheres
At least 10 years of experience working in private sector or SME development assistance schemes, specifically capacity building, access to finance and access to market instruments
Extensive experience of working with start-ups / SMEs and solid understanding of best practice in entrepreneurship support
Proven experience in strategic planning and program design, ideally with experience in donor funded programs such as USAID, World Bank or DFID.
Strong knowledge of private sector/SME landscape in country of posting
Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders at a high level across the ecosystem; and build effective partnership models
Keen interest and experience in research and knowledge management, particularly in relation to effective capacity development in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, with the ability to foster learning across program activities and various fora in the region
Experience in intermediary or second-tier support organizations preferred
Strong networking, interpersonal and communications skills in a multi-cultural environment
Ability to work with tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and projects
Proven experience managing teams
Related work experience and knowledge of the West Africa economic, social and development context preferred
Excellent oral and written communication skills

Willingness to travel – up to 50% locally

Application Instructions

Please submit your application (by email only) to ke-recruit@tns.org with the position title placed in the subject line.

Please include

(1) cover letter describing your interest,

(2) curriculum vitae,

(3) salary history, and

(4) telephone contacts of three professional referees.

Please include all requirements in one document (pdf).

Applications will be treated confidentially.

Deadline for applications is 25th May 2014.

Note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Technoserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities