Ecosystem Program Manager (Kenya) at Bridge for Billions in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Ecosystem Program Manager (Kenya)

    Bridge for BillionsNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    28 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Managerial
    Charity, NGO & Non-Profit
    Management & Business Development

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    Job Description

    Bridge for Billions is expanding into Africa and seeks a Program Manager to lead our first multi-country ecosystem-building project on the continent. Working closely with the Project Director, you will implement our inaugural Ecosystem Builders project, empowering Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) to run incubation programs across Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. This role demands exceptional project management, leadership, and interpersonal skills, engaging with strategic partners, ESO leaders, stakeholders, and our community of entrepreneurs and mentors.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Train and support incubation managers from enrolled ESOs in effectively running incubation programs, including training on the Bridge platform and providing scouting support.
    • Oversee the selection process for entrepreneurs and mentors for each program.
    • Facilitate training workshops to support incubation progress following the Bridge for Billions methodology, as well as other community events with the ESOs to entrepreneurs and mentors.
    • Collaborate with ESOs to plan and participate in Demo Days and ecosystem events where top entrepreneurs are showcased.
    • Co-create progress and impact reports with the Program Director.
    • Serve as the primary liaison for regional partners, including public agencies, foundations, and private entities, to facilitate various incubation initiatives for nascent ventures.
    • Manage assigned programs by analyzing local ecosystem requirements to develop implementation strategies, including resource allocation, timeline design, and benchmarking, while adhering to project budgets.
    • Actively listen to and integrate client feedback to ensure all program objectives and key performance indicators are effectively met.
    • Orchestrate collaboration across internal departments, such as product and marketing, to guarantee seamless program execution.
    • Deliver comprehensive reporting on program vitality, performance metrics, and success stories to donors, clients, and the wider Bridge for Billions team.
    • Manage partner relations through diligent financial tracking, impact reporting, and the delivery of monthly progress presentations to program sponsors.
    • Actively gather insights and lessons learned from the program to share within the company and with clients.
    • Monitor entrepreneurs' progress and feedback, providing solutions to any challenges they face.

    Required Qualifications

    • Degree in business, project management, marketing & community building, or related disciplines.
    • A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in roles such as program management, project management, operations management, account management, or customer success.
    • Experience in entrepreneurship or working with startup ecosystems is highly valued.
    • Significant experience working within the African entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a deep understanding of the local cultural, economic, and regulatory landscapes in Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria and potentially other project countries such as Ghana, DRC.
    • Established connections with local stakeholders, including ESOs, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
    • Proven experience in developing and implementing initiatives that support entrepreneurs, including the ability to tailor programs to the specific needs of local markets.
    • Proficiency with tech tools such as Notion, Slack, and Google Drive, with a strong aptitude for spreadsheets.
    • An eagerness to learn and quickly adapt to new tools and technologies is essential.
    • Passionate about entrepreneurship, community development, and fostering global connections.
    • Skilled in building and nurturing communities and networks that support collaborative growth and innovation.
    • Proficiency in English and French.
    • Excellent writing and oral communication skills with a friendly, yet professional tone.
    • Growth mindset and resilience to overcome challenges.
    • Results-focused with a customer-success mindset.
    • Problem-solver and self-starter, able to manage expectations from multiple stakeholders and help groups reach agreements.
    • Strong organizational and coordination skills.
    • Comfortable with networking and interacting with people.
    • Extraordinary attention to detail and resourcefulness in problem-solving.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Management & Business Development

    Minimum Experience

    4 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Business

    Field of Study

    Business Administration

    Languages

    English, French

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Send your application to the email provided in the job posting or visit the application link if available.

    Show Your Ecosystem-Building Chops

    This role is about orchestrating a multi-country incubation program. Hiring managers will look for proof you can manage complex projects, engage diverse stakeholders, and drive results in the African startup space.

    1. Highlight your African ecosystem experience: Detail your work with ESOs, entrepreneurs, or community leaders in Kenya or other African countries. Use specific examples of programs you've run or supported.

    2. Demonstrate your project management toolkit: Showcase your proficiency with Notion, Slack, and Google Drive, and give examples of how you've used these tools to track milestones, collaborate, and report.

    3. Prepare a stakeholder engagement story: Be ready to discuss how you've managed relationships with partners, donors, or clients, including handling feedback and reporting progress.

    4. Show your training and facilitation skills: If you've trained entrepreneurs or run workshops, describe your approach and the outcomes. Mention any experience with incubation methodologies.

    5. Emphasize your bilingual advantage: Since French is required, highlight your fluency and any experience working in Francophone Africa.

    6. Quantify your impact: Use numbers to show the scale of programs you've managed—number of entrepreneurs supported, funds raised, or growth metrics.

    7. Align with the mission: Bridge for Billions values purpose-driven work. Show your passion for entrepreneurship and community development in your cover letter and interview.

    8. Ask smart questions: In the interview, ask about the current ecosystem challenges in the target countries and how the program measures success. This shows strategic thinking.

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    Tags

    program management
    entrepreneurship
    ecosystem building
    stakeholder engagement
    incubation