Role description:
The Partnerships & Impact Manager must be a practical leader who is passionate about skills and enterprise development as a way to transform Africa, with extensive networks in, and understanding of, the continent’s SME support ecosystem.
The successful candidate will report to the Director of Partnerships as part of a senior team working closely with the CEO to secure new strategic partnerships that expand our work with SMEs, entrepreneurs and youth across Africa. S/he will also be responsible, with support from the leadership team, for crafting, updating and monitoring AMI’s impact strategy. AMI is already working with some of the leading funders and stakeholders in the skills and enterprise space, such as The MasterCard Foundation, Argidius Foundation, as well as leading DFIs, and is looking for a manager to identify new opportunities for AMI to grow and increase our impact.
The successful candidate will report to the Director of Partnerships as part of a dynamic international team, and will be based in – or willing to move to – Nairobi.
Responsibilities:
- Build long-term relationships with major pan-African development and intermediary partners to position AMI as a leading impact player in the skills and enterprise development space.
- Continually scan the market in this segment to identify business opportunities, relationships and RFP windows across the continent, including opportunities for new products and segments.
- Generate strategies to raise AMI’s profile in the skills and enterprise development segment, and work with the communications team to implement them. This could include writing/co-writing white papers, opinion pieces, blogs, keeping track of new research or trends in the sector and speaking at international and local conferences.
- Lead proposal development and negotiations on large pan-African partnerships. Work with other members of the team to design, scope and budget complex multi-million dollar projects, and manage handover to programme teams.
- Take the lead on refining, managing and reporting on AMI’s impact, managing some internal M&E processes (with support from colleagues in data and product management) and liaising with key external stakeholders and more broadly to effectively communicate our impact, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
- Work with AMI’s research, data and product teams to support large research projects, including an RCT currently underway with researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to rigorously test and refine AMI’s learning model. Capture key insights and metrics, ensure these are embedded into continuous improvement,processes, and translate into compelling external communication.
Job role: Partnerships & Impact Manager
Employment Status: Full-time
Remuneration: Competitive salary based on experience
Joining Date: ASAP (flexible)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Occasional international travel)
Skills:
- Works well with people and is culturally adept. Has the ability to communicate effectively across different levels.
- Has a sophisticated understanding of Africa’s SME support ecosystem, and deep networks with both funders and implementers.
- Has the ability to think strategically and creatively, and know how to execute.
- Has the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. This includes excellent proposal writing and presentations.
- Demonstrates the ability to use hard data and metrics to back up assumptions, tell powerful stories and develop strategic recommendations.
- Has the ability to manage and refine a complex M&E strategy, manage reporting and impact measurement to multiple stakeholders.
- Has the ability to scope, plan and budget for complex, multi-million dollar skills/enterprise development projects, often in multiple markets.
- Has enthusiasm and commitment for AMI’s vision of transformation through skills and enterprise development.
- Is a confident networker and relationship builder. Is able to represent AMI at international events and conferences with gravitas and charisma, with local and international teams and stakeholders.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Willingness to engage in robust debates while keeping deep respect for others.
- Has absolutely rock-solid integrity.
Qualifications & Experience:
- At least 7 years experience in business development, fund-raising or partnership management, with at least 2 years in international development, including proposal development (essential).
- Experience working in an entrepreneurial environment, ideally within Africa’s SME/entrepreneur support ecosystem (essential).
- Experience with M&E and/or impact measurement (strongly preferred).
- Masters degree (MBA preferred) or equivalent experience.
AMI will consider candidates from any country, but must be willing to live and work in Kenya and be free to travel elsewhere in Africa.
Please send a CV and cover letter to jobs@africanmanagers.org. We will assess applications on a rolling basis and will hire as soon as we find the right person, so please submit your application as soon as possible, explaining why you would be suitable for this role and providing current salary details.
