Spark Lead at Safaricom Kenya

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Venture Management Tribe Lead, the Spark Lead will enable to achieve Safaricom’s objective of being a leading technology company, engagement with innovative, early stage companies is critical to accelerate the pace of innovation of products and services. The Spark Product Lead will be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing Safaricom’s early-stage investment strategies based on Safaricom Group’s goals and objectives with a key focus on accelerating growth. The role will be accountable for managing the Spark Accelerator program, managing the end-to-end investment life cycle, and providing post-investment support to start-ups. 

Primary objective will be to foster collaboration with innovative, early stage companies to foster their growth whilst driving Safaricom’s growth and innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Spark Accelerator Program

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for the spark accelerator inline with the FY 25 and FY 30 strategic plan. 
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute key activities for the accelerator, namely, call for applications, start-up capacity building and pitch day
• Stakeholder management by establishing strong relationships within the Start-up eco-system (Vs, start-ups, DFIs) 
• Prepare regular reports on the performance of the program 

Deal Lifecyle Management 

• Source Investment opportunities in Start-ups involving transformational technologies and present investment proposals to the ventures team
• Lead due diligence process for selected investment opportunities including market potential, technical strength, financial viability, team by gathering information from the target company, industry experts and other sources.
• Lead the internal investment process for selected deals which includes preparing investment memos to the Safaricom Venture’s PLC board.

Portfolio Management

• Be the primary interface and support for portfolio companies to ensure key investment objectives are achieved.
• Foster collaboration and engagement between selected companies and Safaricom to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship. 
• Research on key trends and activities in star-up ecosystem in Kenya and beyond 
• Prepare portfolio reports on a regular basis to the Spark Board of Trustees tracking portfolio performance, key trends, risks and opportunities. 

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead a team of professionals, including developers, analysts, and subject matter experts, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture. 
• Set clear objectives, provide guidance, and support team members in achieving their goals.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the team.

Stakeholder Management

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including portfolio companies, senior executives, and eco-system partners. 
• Collaborate with other tribes, teams, and departments to foster a holistic and integrated approach to Safaricom’s engagement with Start-ups.
• Communicate effectively to convey the tribe's vision, progress, and achievements.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the tribe's performance and identify areas for improvement. 
• Prepare regular reports and presentations to update senior management on various initiatives, outcomes, and challenges.

Data Analytics

• Utilize data analytics and business intelligence tools to extract insights and identify trends in early stage companies and market conditions. 
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to start-ups in the accelerator program, analyze data trends, and provide actionable recommendations for performance improvement.
• Drive data-driven decision-making by presenting insights and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.
• Ensure data privacy and security measures are implemented and followed in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in data analytics and technology

Core competencies, knowledge and experience

Customer Obsession

• Deepen team connection to our customers and communities.
• Foster authentic relationships with customers and partners that build trust.
• Explicitly take customer-centric decisions and take personal ownership to achieve results.
• Simplify processes through digitalisation and promote a digital mindset and digital first customer experience.
• Stay focused on the big priorities, know when to make meaningful trade-offs and demonstrate brilliant execution.

Purpose

• Create an inspiring vision for Safaricom’s role in Early Stage companies to drive strategy and performance.
• Show ambition and courage, empowering others to go beyond the plan.
• Bold and challenge teams to reimagine how things are done.
• Prompt new thinking and ideas by asking “what if” questions.
• Use knowledge of the external environment (customers, partners, competition, external bodies) to identify and act on opportunities for growth at pace.

Innovation

• Create psychological safety so everyone can have an impact.
• Fuel innovative ideas from others and test them to enable growth.
• Explore successes and failures with curiosity and resilience; fearlessly recognizing lessons learned.
• Share your ongoing learning and personal purpose with others.
• Learn fast from digital adoption, using learnings to drive simplicity, scale and efficiency.

Collaboration

• Articulate your team’s role in making our strategy happen, prioritizing and aligning resources with current and future needs.
• Actively collaborate to break silos and hold your team accountable to do the same.
• Develop others to make the most of their talents and coach them to take ownership to get things done.
• Create an inclusive environment ensuring the safety and wellbeing of others.
• Live our Purpose and demonstrate the highest Standard of integrity.

Key performance indicators

• Adherence to set Venture Management Tribe business OKRs and commitments.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement within the Tribe/Chapter. KPIs could include the number of start-ups participating in Spark Accelerator, products/services launched from the accelerator program, number of companies funded via Spark accelerator awards and recognition, and, timeliness of various management and board reports. 
• Compliance with all relevant regulations and internal policies and procedures. KPIs could include regulatory compliance metrics, audit results, and risk management metrics.
• Provide guidance and leadership to team members, through continuous and quarterly reviews. 
• Identify and nurture talent within the Venture Management Tribe. 
• Provide guidelines and process for the implementation of reward and recognition activities. 
• Delivery of relevant target digitization projects/Initiatives. 
• Agile Maturity rating, Employee Engagement (eNPS) and Productivity.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least seven (7) years’ knowledge and experience in the relevant field with at least three (3) in dealing with early stage companies. 
• Relevant Business or IT Undergraduate Degree or relevant field along with professional qualifications, or equivalent qualification(s) from a recognized institution of higher learning. 
• MBA or relevant Master’s degree is an added advantage. 
• Member in good standing of a recognized professional body. 
• Superior business understanding, with the ability to leverage technology to solve business and technical issues.
• Possess high professional and ethical standards. 
• Be a strategic thinker with an analytical mind.