Venture Development Officer at Amref International University (AMIU)

ABOUT THE ROLE

• The Venture Development Officer will support the development and growth of health innovations, start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures within the Health Innovation Hub. The role will help innovators translate ideas, research outputs and prototypes into viable, market-oriented and sustainable ventures, with a focus on business modelling, market validation, customer development, financial viability, commercialization and venture growth.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Venture Development

• Support innovators and start-ups to develop viable business models and growth strategies.
• Provide business advisory and practical support to ventures.
• Support development of business plans, value propositions and revenue models.
• Guide ventures from ideation and validation through market entry and growth.

Market and Customer Development

• Support market research and validation of health innovations.
• Help ventures identify customers, users and market opportunities.
• Support customer acquisition, sales and market-entry strategies.
• Facilitate linkages between ventures and potential customers, healthcare organizations and industry. 

Financial & Commercial Advisory

• Support basic financial modelling, costing, pricing and revenue planning.
• Help innovators assess the commercial viability and sustainability of their ventures.
• Provide basic financial literacy and business management guidance.
• Support preparation of business and investment-readiness materials.

Commercialization & Venture Growth

• Support the transition of innovations from prototype to market-ready solutions.
• Develop commercialization and growth strategies with innovators.
• Identify opportunities for adoption, scale and market expansion.
• Track and support the growth of ventures within the Hub.

Incubation & Mentorship

• Support incubation, acceleration, innovation challenges and entrepreneurship programmes.
• Mentor students, innovators and entrepreneurs on business development.
• Coordinate business development workshops, venture clinics and pitch preparation.
• Support innovators to develop and present their ventures professionally.

Partnerships & Ecosystem Engagement

• Build relationships with businesses, healthcare organizations, industry and entrepreneurs.
• Facilitate market and business linkages for supported ventures.
• Represent the Hub at relevant innovation and entrepreneurship forums.
• Support collaboration with universities, research institutions and other ecosystem partners. 

Monitoring & Reporting

• Track the progress and growth of ventures supported by the Hub.
• Monitor market validation, customer development, commercialization and growth indicators.
• Prepare periodic venture development reports.
• Document success stories, lessons learned and venture impact.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in commerce, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing or a related field.
• 2–5 years' relevant experience in business development, banking, sales, entrepreneurship, venture development or customer relationship management.
• Experience working with startups, sales, recruitment of new customers, managing clients’ portfolios and financial records will be an added advantage.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Advanced excel
• Market and customer development
• Venture and business development
• Loans management, financial advisory and commercial analysis
• Sales and relationship management
• Coaching and mentoring of enterprise founders
• Stakeholder engagement
• Communication and presentation skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills