How to Apply: Send your application to the FSD Kenya careers portal or via the application link provided on this page.
Lead with Evidence: Crafting a Compelling Application for Thought Leadership
This role sits at the intersection of research, policy, and communication. Hiring managers will look for a track record of turning complex data into narratives that move markets and influence regulators. Your application must demonstrate that you can do the same.
1. Show your research-to-impact pipeline: For each major project, outline the research question, methodology, key findings, and the specific policy or programme change it influenced. Quantify outcomes where possible, such as 'our analysis informed the central bank's digital finance guidelines'.
2. Curate a portfolio of your best work: Select 3–5 publications, reports, or presentations that showcase your ability to synthesize complex ideas for different audiences. Include a mix of technical papers, policy briefs, and public-facing articles. Be ready to discuss the strategy behind each piece.
3. Demonstrate leadership in multi-disciplinary teams: Provide examples of how you've led researchers, data scientists, and communications experts to deliver a shared vision. Highlight your approach to mentoring and developing talent, as this is a senior management role.
4. Prepare for the 'so what' test: In interviews, you'll be probed on how your research has actually changed minds or decisions. Have concrete stories ready that show your work leading to regulatory changes, new product designs, or shifts in public discourse.
5. Understand the Kenyan financial landscape: Show familiarity with FinAccess, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, and current debates on financial health and climate finance. Reference specific challenges and opportunities in the local context.
6. Articulate your vision for financial health: Be ready to discuss how you would define and measure financial health in Kenya, and how you'd integrate it into national surveys and programme monitoring. Show that you've thought about the practicalities of data collection and analysis.
7. Highlight your stakeholder credibility: Emphasize your experience engaging with senior government officials, regulators, and policymakers. Provide examples of how you've built trust and influenced policy through evidence.
8. Polish your public speaking and writing: As a thought leader, you'll be expected to represent FSD Kenya at global forums. Prepare a short talk on a relevant topic and have writing samples that are clear, persuasive, and accessible to non-specialists.