M-PESA Product Development Manager at Safaricom Kenya

Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Manager – M-PESA Product Development, the holder of this position will be responsible and accountable for leading and driving the implementation of initiatives to develop M-PESA value proposition in the financial services space. The incumbent will also spearhead the product development process for both existing products and new products from idea generation to launch, securing respective approvals and in liaison with necessary stakeholders including the different business units within Safaricom.

In addition, research widely to ensure M-PESA products and services remain competitive by keeping up with trends in the market, emerging technology, improvements to existing products through service improvements initiatives and assurance on exceptional customer experience standards.

Roles

• Develop differentiated cross-channel experience for our customers and partners through technological advances for existing and new products
• Ensure requirements for new functionalities, features and system enhancements are properly specified, tested and documented and adheres to the laid out processes and procedures;
• Research and development of new Financial Services solutions – proactively research and investigate functionality suitable for the local market and discuss with key stakeholders to obtain buy-in.
• End-to-end management of M-PESA solutions and products; successful delivery to market on time, with minimal adverse impact.
• Enhancing existing products to ensure that customer insights are incorporated in the product evolution
• Identify and implement local changes for process improvement, in liaison with internal stakeholders from technical and other departments
• Ensure adherence to the laid out Project Management and Gate processes of product development and delivery
• Socializing of new products and solutions to internal stakeholders as appropriate
• Engagement with external stakeholders to foster close working relationship and co-innovation

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical Field ( preferably IT/Computer Science/Telecommunications)
• Project Management qualification
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in product development with strong commercial aptitude and a proven strong track record in product development and product management including the introduction of new products and continual product improvements.
• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously from start to finish; of a 6 – 12 month duration;
• Ability to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality and professionalism when dealing with information including but not limited to product roadmap, new products and development of marketing plans.
• Good understanding of the Kenyan market, subscriber preferences and subscriber trends
• Proactive, confident, energetic with the ability to work under pressure, to tight schedules/deadlines and monitor and follow up on all actions taken.
• A proven team player with excellent communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Decisiveness, action-orientation, and a focus on leadership; the ability to promote and lead change.
• Technology savvy and able to innovate and “think out of the box”