View Vacancy – UK-Kenya Tech Hub Deputy Director, International Tech Hub Network (41/24 NR)

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity to support the UK Kenya Tech Hub, an innovative and high-profile initiative focused on developing the Kenyan tech entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Hub aims to deliver tech entrepreneurship / startups programs, digital skills and establish connections between Kenyan and international tech businesses, including those in the UK. We are seeking a dynamic, well-networked individual from the Kenyan tech scene to initiate and pursue new strategic opportunities for the Hub across various sectors.

The role is based in Nairobi and requires some travel within Kenya to maximize the Hub’s impact. There will also be occasional overseas travel, including to the UK.

The UK-Kenya Tech Hub is part of a global network of international tech partnerships developed by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to build digital ecosystems that promote sustainable economic growth and development. Established in August 2019 as part of the Digital Access Programme (DAP), the Tech Hub, delivered by DSIT and FCDO, is a catalyst for addressing development challenges, creating jobs, and improving lives through digital access and tech-driven entrepreneurship in Kenya.

Since its inception, the UK-Kenya Tech Hub has become a key player in the Kenyan innovation ecosystem, managing £1.5M in financing and supporting over 20,000 entrepreneurs by connecting them to markets, finance, and talent, while advocating for a favorable regulatory environment.

The Tech Hub envisions nurturing the next generation of startups and entrepreneurs who will use digital technology to create sustainable and long-term value for Kenya and Africa through equitable partnerships.

The successful candidate will join a small team of locally engaged staff based at the British High Commission and will support the Hub’s Director in developing and implementing its strategy. They will also manage the Hub’s day-to-day operations. Funded as part of a cross-government, Prosperity-funded program, collaboration across departments will be essential for success 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.

The successful applicant will play a key role in running projects and day to day operations of the UK-Kenya Tech Hub, including project management, data analysis, comms, and reporting.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Director in the implementation/Execution of the UK-Kenya Tech Hub strategy to build on the Hub’s successes and pilot projects across 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 day to day project management of the Hub’s numerous projects ongoing simultaneously as well as the development of new ones. This will include data analysis, comms, reporting, procurement and support on design and delivery of the Hub’s systems and processes.
• Working in collaboration with DSIT, FCDO 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, evaluation, reporting and analysis)
• Organising/Scheduling of high-level events and meetings, partnerships and strategy meetings as well as giving a high-level summary of proceedings.
• Deputising for the Director in various leadership roles within the team, including representing the Hub and the British High Commission internally and externally in some circumstances (media, speaking opportunities, event representation).
• Acting as a gender champion in your 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 be based in Nairobi and will be part of a small team of locally engaged staff, based within the British High Commission. The post holder will not have line management responsibility and will be expected to deliver with a high level of autonomy and responsibility, reporting to the Tech Hub Director. The Tech Hub Network is funded as part of a cross-government, programme, so collaboration across departments will be a critical success factor in this role.

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.

How we do our jobs in the BHC is of equal importance as to the outcomes we deliver. The successful candidate will be expected to adopt, demonstrate and role-model the British High Commission’s values of honesty, respect, fairness, family and diversity both internally and externally with stakeholders.

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience  

• Proven track record, minimum 4 years’ experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and startup scene within Kenya
• Strong tech skills
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders
• Project management experience including impact reporting.
• Able to do an analysis and summary of the project’s outcomes, lessons and success as well as other work done by the Tech Hub in the ecosystem.
• Experience in handling budgets and finance administration.
• Organised with good attention to detail and able to do timely follow-ups.
• Able to work flexibly and pick up corporate processes quickly.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Confident at decision making, within agreed boundaries.
• Experience in handling budgets and finance administration.