GDC Last Mile Distribution Technical Manager at Practical Action Kenya

Join the Global Distributors Collective (GDC) as our Last Mile Distribution Technical Manager.

• Practical Action is an international development organisation putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world. For the past seven years, Practical Action has been hosting and building the Global Distributors Collective (GDC): a collective of 230 last mile distribution companies that cumulatively reach millions of the poorest consumers in the world with beneficial products like solar lanterns, water filters and improved cookstoves.
• The GDC provides a collective voice for distributors to ensure their priorities are heard; drives research and innovation across the sector; facilitates the exchange of information, insight, and expertise; and provides critical services that leverage economies of scale.

The GDC’s 2022-25 strategy focusses on six key areas:

• Accelerating innovation, e.g., through our Replication Facility
• Building capacity, e.g., through information exchange, formal training for managers and agents, learning events, and mentoring programmes
• Helping members access products, suppliers, and services at affordable prices
• Helping members access finance and become investment-ready
• Undertaking market intelligence and research, e.g., by creating a performance benchmark for the last mile distribution sector
• Engaging with members and advocating for their interests

As the GDC Last Mile Distribution Technical Manager you will directly provide support across all of our programmatic areas and will have scope to get more directly involved in areas of interest. In particular, you will work with the Head of the GDC to contribute towards research, advocacy and strategy of the Global Distributors Collective.

This will be a global role based either in one of our country offices in Kenya, or Senegal.  The final salary and benefits for this role is dependent on the country of base and job market conditions.

About you

Are you passionate about driving inclusive business solutions in underserved markets? Practical Action is looking for a dynamic professional to help shape the future of last mile distribution. You’ll contribute to global research, thought leadership, and advocacy for a network of over 200 distribution companies delivering life-changing products like solar lanterns and clean cookstoves. In this varied role, you’ll manage impactful projects, support fundraising and programme design, and engage with stakeholders worldwide. If you have experience in the sector, outstanding communication skills, and thrive in a remote team, we’d love to hear from you!

Accountabilities

• The ideal candidate is a someone who has experience in delivering projects, studies and research pieces within the last mile distribution sector and has experience in supporting the design of new programmes and writing fundraising bids. Ideally, they would also have first-hand experience running or working within a last mile distribution company.

 Person profile

To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience and knowledge:

• Masters in a relevant discipline or equivalent work experience
• Experience of living and working in markets in which last mile distributors operate
• Experience in last mile distribution, inclusive business, or energy access.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across cultures and mediums, including proven technical writing and presentation/ communication/ advocacy skills.
• Experience in running research projects and writing technical research papers
• Excellent strategic and analytical thinking skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Business development experience including preparing and writing funding proposals and winning work
• Willingness to get stuck in and get things done- we are a small team.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential
• Exceptional relationship management skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks effectively, and work well under pressure