Main purpose of job:
This is an exciting opportunity to support the establishment and success of a new, innovative and high-profile Tech Hub in Kenya that will aim to develop the Kenyan tech ecosystem, deliver digital skills programmes, and build links between Kenyan and international (including UK) tech businesses. We are looking for a dynamic, well-networked individual from the Kenya tech scene for this role,, to initiate and pursue new strategic opportunities for the Hub across a number of sectors. The hub will be one of four critical pillars of a new Prosperity Fund programme to drive greater digital access in countries like Kenya. New and innovative, the Prosperity Fund (PF) represents a step change in HMG’s approach to promoting economic development and prosperity overseas.
The PF was established under the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) with the primary aim of supporting growth in recipient countries and thereby reducing poverty. As such, it represents a key component of the prosperity pillar of the UK Aid Strategy. But the Fund uniquely focuses on promoting growth in ODA-eligible middle income countries, which are home to nearly 60% of the world’s poor and where the development challenges remain significant, but at the same time are important business partners and drivers of prosperity. By delivering high impact, strategic multi-year programmes, across high opportunity countries, regions and sectors, the Fund will help create opportunities for international business, including UK companies. As the UK leaves the EU, an even more outward-looking global Britain investing and trading with the fastest growing markets will become increasingly important.
The role will be based in Nairobi, with some travel across the country which will be required to maximise the success and outputs of the hub across Kenya. There will also be some overseas travel, including to the UK.
The UK-Kenya Tech Hub will be one of the first in a global network of international tech partnerships developed by the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to build digital ecosystems that will facilitate sustainable economic growth and development.
The successful candidate will be part of a small team of locally-engaged staff, based within the British High Commission, and will support the Director of the Hub to develop its strategy, and then be responsible for helping to deliver that strategy. They will also manage the hub’s day to day operations. The Tech Hub Network is funded as part of a cross-government, Prosperity-funded programme, so collaboration across departments will be a critical success factor in this role.
The Hub will have three main aims:
- Identify, develop, and deliver tailored interventions to cultivate digital skills responding to the needs and opportunities for inclusion in the local tech sector for example promoting opportunities for youth and women in the local tech sector. Interventions will generally be delivered by local and international partners;
- Support tech entrepreneurship through partnerships with local digital ecosystem stakeholders including incubators, accelerators and private sector firms, Kenyan government departments and agencies and non-profit organisations
- Facilitate partnerships between local tech firms (including tech startups) and international companies (across all sectors) in the form of commercial partnerships or joint ventures
Roles and responsibilities
- Supporting the Director of the Hub in their development of a strategy to establish and make this hub succeed in the Kenyan landscape;
- Supporting the Director to initiate and pursue new strategic opportunities for the Hub, cultivating new leads, understanding business and innovation needs across all sectors and convincingly presenting the opportunities for collaboration via the Hub;
- Providing leadership on the management of the Hub’s ongoing projects, as well as the development of new ones. This will include budget development and management;
- Working in collaboration with DCMS and other government departments, taking responsibility for delivering delegations (both inward and outward) and events that support the development of the local tech ecosystem;
- Developing and managing relationships with local tech firms, startups and wider tech sector stakeholders, using these to support the development of new partnerships and programmes;
- Collaborating with the other Hubs in the global network to develop the network offering;
- Leading on selected operational management responsibilities, including potentially: project oversight, budget management, impact assessment (monitoring and evaluation), HR supervision, or as further defined according to need in order to support the work of the Hub’s Director and new strategic directions for the Hub;
- Deputising for the Director in various leadership roles within the team, including representing the Hub and the British High Commission externally in some circumstances (media, speaking opportunities, event representation).
- Acting as a gender champion in your leadership role. Ensure Gender Equality Act (2014) compliance and support implementation of gender policy and guidance so that, at the least, no harm is done and gender inequality is not worsened. Actively support PF ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth and poverty reduction through your team.
Resources managed:
The post-holder will report to the UK-Kenya Tech Hub Director. The postholder will be required to work closely with the DCMS Tech Hub network team; other government departments, including DfID, FCO and DIT, as well as the other Tech Hubs in the network.
This role will suit individuals with experience of the UK/Kenya tech and startup scenes. The applicant would ideally bring a network of business contacts in Kenya, using this to expand the Hub’s network.
- Experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and startup scene within Kenya
- Well networked within the tech sector (private sector firms and/or startups); Knowledge of, and experience with, the Kenyan business landscape
- Track record of leading successful delivery in either industry or government
- Ability to engage credibly with senior government and senior industry stakeholders
- Proven track record of developing and running programs and partnerships from the ground up
- Proven project management and budget management skills
- Willingness to travel frequently within Kenya, and to occasionally travel to the UK and other locations
- Strong organisational skills
- Highly motivated, passionate about innovation and technology
- Open and clear communicator, excellent networking skills including across international environments
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
We place a strong emphasis on learning and development. You will be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in corporate activities. This role provides an excellent opportunity to build up programme knowledge and expertise and gain exposure to working across government. You will have access to existing and new Project & Programme Management L&D as well as wider job-relevant L&D and support for your own personal development.
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