Head of Thought Leadership at Financial Sector Deepening Kenya FSD Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Head of Thought Leadership

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    25 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Senior
    Banking, Insurance & Financial Services
    Data, Analytics & AI

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    Job Description

    FSD Kenya is seeking a Head of Thought Leadership to lead its Thought Leadership and Impact area, providing strategic direction to ensure research, data, and insights are leveraged to deepen impact in financial health, resilience, and inclusive growth across Kenya's financial system. The role involves strategic leadership in market information, research, impact, and strategic communications, and being part of the senior management team.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Develop and articulate a compelling vision for inclusive financial systems and financial health in Kenya.
    • Position FSD Kenya as a trusted authority in financial sector development through high-impact publications and engagements.
    • Lead the development of flagship knowledge products (e.g., FinAccess, financial health reports, state of the sector analyses, insight briefs).
    • Shape narratives on emerging themes including inclusive finance for climate adaptation, MSME growth, resilient agri-food systems, financial health, digital financial ecosystems, consumer protection, responsible finance, and household financial behaviour.
    • Drive dissemination and advocacy strategies to ensure research and evidence translate into impact.
    • Define and lead the institution-wide research agenda in line with FSD Kenya's strategy and business plan.
    • Oversee the design, commissioning, execution, and dissemination of high-quality research programmes.
    • Ensure methodological rigor across quantitative econometrics, quasi-experimental methods, big data analytics, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches.
    • Provide technical advisory and oversight to flagship initiatives and financial inclusion surveys such as FinAccess, impact evaluations, and intervention-specific research.
    • Lead the development of a comprehensive financial health framework for Kenya, including indicators, metrics, and measurement tools.
    • Integrate financial health tracking into national surveys, datasets, FSD programme and monitoring systems, partner, and industry data platforms.
    • Produce periodic Financial Health Reports to track progress, identify gaps, and inform action.
    • Link financial health outcomes to financial inclusion, economic resilience, livelihoods, and poverty reduction pathways.
    • Lead the integration of financial data and analytics into research and impact measurement.
    • Work closely with programme teams to strengthen data systems and databases for financial inclusion and financial health, ensuring robust tracking of value for money (VfM) and programme outcomes.

    Required Qualifications

    • Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Humanities, or a related field.
    • Demonstrated depth in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a track record of published outputs.
    • Extensive experience in applied economic or policy work, ideally in financial inclusion, economic growth, and resilience in emerging markets.
    • Demonstrated experience managing and leading a team.
    • A track record of generating, validating, and translating insights into scenarios, compelling narratives, policy influence, programming decisions, and measurable results.
    • A deep understanding and experience in impact measurement.
    • Demonstrated ability to engage confidently and credibly with senior government officials, regulators, and policymakers.
    • Proven track record of shaping or influencing public policy and regulatory outcomes through evidence and insight.
    • Ability to translate research into actionable policy recommendations.
    • Proven ability to build, sustain, and leverage high-impact partnerships across public, private, and development sectors.
    • Experience convening diverse stakeholders to drive collective action on complex, system-level challenges.
    • Strong network across financial sector, policy, and research communities.
    • Recognised ability to shape narratives and contribute to discourse on financial sector development, financial inclusion, or financial health.
    • Strong publication, presentation, or public engagement track record.
    • Ability to synthesise complex ideas into clear, influential insights for diverse audiences.
    • Strong organisational leadership experience, with the ability to set direction and deliver results through multi-disciplinary teams.
    • Experience managing complex programmes or portfolios involving multiple stakeholders.
    • Ability to mentor and develop technical and analytical talent.
    • Credibility and presence to represent the organisation as a public-facing thought leader.
    • Excellent communication and influencing skills across technical, policy, and non-technical audiences.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Data, Analytics & AI

    Education Level

    Master’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Social Sciences

    Field of Study

    Economics

    Additional Information

    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.

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    Tags

    thought leadership
    financial inclusion
    research
    policy
    impact measurement