Ecosystem Program Manager (Kenya) at Bridge for Billions

JOB MISSION

• We are expanding into Africa with an ambitious initiative and are seeking a Program Manager to lead our first multi-country ecosystem-building project on the continent. As the Ecosystem Program Manager at Bridge for Billions, you will work closely with the Project Director to implement our inaugural Ecosystem Builders project in Africa. This project is designed to create an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem by empowering Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) to run incubation programs across Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. 
• This role demands exceptional project management, leadership, and interpersonal skills. You will engage with strategic partners, ESO leaders, influential stakeholders, and our community of entrepreneurs and mentors, driving the impact of program activities. Success in this role requires a "roll up your sleeves" attitude, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a strong motivation to manage a large-scale regional innovation project to deliver meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders

ROLES & CONTRIBUTIONS
Incubation Management and Support Conecta Africa countries (60%)

• Train and support incubation managers from the enrolled ESOs in effectively running incubation programs, including training on the Bridge platform and providing scouting support.
• Oversee the selection process for entrepreneurs and mentors for each program.
• Facilitate training workshops to support incubation progress following the Bridge for Billions methodology, as well as other community events with the ESOs to entrepreneurs and mentors
• Collaborate with ESOs to plan and participate in Demo Days and ecosystem events where top entrepreneurs are showcased.
• Co-create progress and impact reports with the Program Director.

Strategic Project Oversight, Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Activation (20%)​

• Serve as the primary liaison for regional partners, including public agencies, foundations, and private entities, to facilitate various incubation initiatives for nascent ventures.
• Manage assigned programs by analyzing local ecosystem requirements to develop implementation strategies, including resource allocation, timeline design, and benchmarking, while adhering to project budgets.
• Actively listen to and integrate client feedback to ensure all program objectives and key performance indicators are effectively met.
• Orchestrate collaboration across internal departments, such as product and marketing, to guarantee seamless program execution.
• Deliver comprehensive reporting on program vitality, performance metrics, and success stories to donors, clients, and the wider Bridge for Billions team.
• Manage partner relations through diligent financial tracking, impact reporting, and the delivery of monthly progress presentations to program sponsors.

Knowledge Management and Program Success Tracking (10%)

• Actively gather insights and lessons learned from the program to share within the company and with clients.
• Monitor entrepreneurs' progress and feedback, providing solutions to any challenges they face.

Local Community Engagement and Stakeholder Management for the local ecosystem (10%)

• Identify and establish strategic partnerships with organizations, networks, and allies that can amplify Bridge for Billions' impact and support its systemic change goals.
  Identify and recruit Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) to participate in the program. 
• Manage ESO relationships to ensure value delivery and encourage long term partnership. 
• Foster a vibrant community among ESOs, local partners, and global counterparts. 
• Engage with various funding, in-kind and ecosystem partners ( eg. investors, financial institutions etc) to secure partnerships and synergies that can strengthen the program’s impact on its stakeholders and participants (ESOs, entrepreneurs, mentors and Bridge for Billions).  
• In collaboration with the programs marketing team, develop content for social media, conduct interviews, share program updates, and create internal newsletters. 
• Represent and position Bridge for Billions at local events. 
• Organize and implement sessions, activities, and initiatives to empower ESOs in incubation management and other relevant topics to enhance their capacity in managing and executing incubation programs.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Hard Skills and soft we look for in this particular role:

• Educational Background: Degree in business, project management, marketing & community building, or related disciplines. 
• Professional Experience: A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in roles such as program management, project management, operations management, account management, or customer success. Experience in entrepreneurship or working with startup ecosystems is highly valued. 
• African Ecosystem Experience: Significant experience working within the African entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a deep understanding of the local cultural, economic, and regulatory landscapes in Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria and potentially other project countries such as Ghana, DRC.  Established connections with local stakeholders, including ESOs, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. 
• Entrepreneurship Support: Proven experience in developing and implementing initiatives that support entrepreneurs, including the ability to tailor programs to the specific needs of local markets. 
• Tech Proficiency: Proficiency with tech tools such as Notion, Slack, and Google Drive, with a strong aptitude for spreadsheets. An eagerness to learn and quickly adapt to new tools and technologies is essential. 
• Community and Network Building: Passionate about entrepreneurship, community development, and fostering global connections. Skilled in building and nurturing communities and networks that support collaborative growth and innovation.

Soft Skills: 

• ​Proficiency in English and French 
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills with a friendly, yet professional tone. 
• Growth mindset and resilience to overcome challenges. 
• Results-focused with a customer-success mindset. 
• Problem-solver and self-starter, able to manage expectations from multiple stakeholders and help groups reach agreements. 
• Strong organizational and coordination skills. Comfortable with networking and interacting with people. 
• Extraordinary attention to detail and resourcefulness in problem-solving. 

Skills we look for in all Bridge team members

• Purpose alignment: This position is not just “a job” but aligns with your purpose, the impact you want to make in this world, and who you want to become. 
• Values Alignment: You embody our 4 team values: Courage, Grit, Empathy, and Gumption. 
• You have a start-up mindset — highly collaborative with an entrepreneurial, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude. You’re not afraid to be responsible for the outcomes of your work and work independently when required. 
• You take the initiative, you’re results-driven, and you show empathy in all your interactions with team members, entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners. 
• You have a powerful emotional intelligence that allows you to quickly understand people’s needs and expectations and develop trust, engagement, and commitment in your relationships. 
• Passion for your work and lifelong learning. 
• Growth mindset and resilience to overcome challenges, and understanding that systemic change requires hard work. 
• Definable experience in problem resolution, and communicating complex ideas in coherent terms to a cross-function group in a rapidly scaling environment