Visionary Leader in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development

This is a leadership position that oversees the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development portfolio in alignment with national priorities and strategic goals to drive access to dignified and fulfilling work for young people. The role leads inclusive entrepreneurship and Access to Finance strategies to support MSMEs, particularly young women-led MSMEs, while overseeing program design, delivery, and performance.

The successful candidate will lead the design and execution of the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development portfolio, ensuring alignment with national priorities and strategic vision. They will build out and integrate an inclusive Access to Finance strategy that enhances financial inclusion and MSME growth for youth and women-led enterprises.

The role involves defining short- and long-term goals for the portfolio, guiding strategic direction, programmatic design, and partnership choices. They will oversee the implementation and performance of entrepreneurship-focused programs and partnerships, ensuring effective delivery, coordination, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will provide support to other strategic pillars on matters access to finance and enterprise development. They will guide the design and implementation of market-driven interventions in access to finance, digital enablement, BDS, and sectoral entrepreneurship. They will also embed technology as an enabler across the portfolio.

Additional responsibilities include managing program risks and developing mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable impact. The successful candidate will cultivate and manage strategic relationships with partners, government institutions, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to amplify scale and impact.

The role requires strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to coach, mentor, and empower team members to uphold Foundation values and deliver meaningful outcomes for young people. They will provide leadership and performance management for the Entrepreneurship team and contribute to cross-functional team development.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's or master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field. They will have minimum 15 years of experience in the Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development/Business Development or related role in the private sector, with 7 years of experience leading and managing a team.

They will have demonstrated expertise and established networks and relationships in Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development/Business Development or related sectors in Kenya. They will have deep knowledge of the country's employment, job creation, innovation landscape, and proven track record of working with and mentoring successful entrepreneurship endeavors.

Experience in initiating new initiatives, preferably in Enterprise/Business development, is desirable. The successful candidate will have proven experience effectively engaging and collaborating with high-level government officials, key partners, media, business leaders, and other network influencers.

They will have experience with entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship, demonstrated knowledge of Kenyan economic, political context, public sector priorities, and evolving nature of private sector, and exposure to systems thinking with an ability to understand and engage with stakeholders in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development.

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 is required. Strategic thinker, Innovative with strong influencing skills, and ability to interact with diverse and senior stakeholders are essential qualities for this role.