Program Manager-Market Linkages at African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC)

About the Opportunity

We’re currently searching for an experienced Program Manager to join our client services team to lead one or many projects. She/He will be responsible for developing and implementing our new market system approach designed to support entrepreneurs in creating new market linkages as well as lead a team of business advisors. The ideal candidate will have a sharp business mind and a proven ability to strategize and implement program initiatives, a strong talent for project coordination and delegation, and is motivated by optimizing productivity and nurturing program success from inception to completion. 

While this position will cover a variety of upcoming projects as Inkomoko secures tenders and partnerships, we anticipate that the PM will have a portfolio that includes serving both micro and small businesses in Kenya as well as in secondary cities. The projects will focus on creating market linkages across all Inkomoko entrepreneurs and the PM will play a key role in making sure our new market system approach fits market needs.  

The objectives of this role include:

• Design a market linkages approach and frameworks to serve micro and small entrepreneurs in Kenya’s refugee hosting Counties and secondary cities
• Fully develop and operationalize program plans to meet the needs of Inkomoko, our clients, and partners.

Responsibilities

Program Management (70% time)

• Develop and conduct assessments on the value chain mainly in logistics, Agricultural, textiles, FMCG, and manufacturing sectors.
• Establish and maintain a list of local enterprises in the targeted locations and identify the potential enterprises for market linkage opportunities
• Work with the training team to develop training modules for market linkage clients to build the capacity of clients to fully understand the advantages of using linkages, work with them to create new and/or diversified market linkages
• Align project goals, objectives, and priorities with other equally valuable programs within the Client Services Department and company
• Manage the schedule and delivery of services to achieve project and company goals, raising concerns and creating solutions to overcome barriers to delivery.
• Work closely with the MEL department to plan and implement the evaluation processes required to meet project reporting and learning objectives for the company
• Maintain organizational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance
• Oversee multiple projects, ensuring program goals are reached
• Use learnings and MEL data to iterate project activities as well as improve services to clients
• Perform other related program management duties as are presented

Partnerships & External Relations (15% time)

• Maintain relationships with the private sector to facilitate, and assist with the development of exhibitions for clients, assess, prepare, implement, and monitor strategies to strengthen the client’s market linkages.
• Develop strong relationships with start-ups and MSMEs, identify opportunities for growth and upscaling, and contribute to the preparation of investment proposals and plans as necessary.
• Assist in organizing client mass meetings and group platforms for market linkages to facilitate negotiations and contract agreements.
• Nurture and maintain the necessary network in the private sector and among the agricultural community as well as develop projects that support industrial productivity and livestock
• Attend all market linkage forums to connect with the larger ecosystem.
• Build the capacity of clients to fully understand the advantages of using linkages, and work with them to create new and/or diversified market linkages.

Management & Administration (15% time

• Participate in the development of Client Services Department goals, objectives, and Goals as part of the annual planning process.
• Assist the expansion manager in providing content necessary for in-country expansion research in line with the market linkage
• Participate fully as an Inkomoko staff in all-staff meetings and other organizational activities 

Minimum Qualifications

We are looking for candidates who have previous project management leadership roles with demonstrated success, and who align with our company values.

• 7+ years of demonstrated success in program management of complex projects.
• Excellent team builder with demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train, supervise, evaluate, and give feedback to staff.
• Experience with designing and implementing projects with a market-systems approach and/or creating market linkages in Kenya. Regional experience is a PLUS
• Experience working with micro and small businesses as well as overall market dynamics
• Excellent time management and planning skills
• Has a sound understanding of the challenges refugees and the local community face with regard to business growth.
• Highly analytical and organized
• Excellent creative and innovative thinking skills 
• Excellent digital skills, including experience with Asana, Slack, and other PM software as needed
• Master’s degree preferred, or Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business administration, value chain management, or related field 
• Ability to embrace transparency with diplomacy and sophistication with high-level leaders.
• Fluency in English and Swahili is required.  Any other local language is a plus