Partnerships Lead - SME Ecosystem Building at African Management Institute (AMI)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build long-term relationships with major pan-African development and intermediary partners to position AMI as a leading impact player in the BDS ecosystem, skills and enterprise development space.
• Develop AMI’s BD approach for securing ongoing ecosystem-building partnerships, and guide AMI representatives in priority countries on how they can best support the BD team to secure this work
• Input to product team as they refine AMI’s offers in the areas of standards development and BDS provider capacity building - sharing live learnings from the field and prospective partners, to ensure products meet market need.
• Contribute to the financial sustainability strategy for SME ecosystem projects (i.e. what is the short, mid and long-term funding mix that will sustain this work and drive long -term impact)
• Leverage strong existing personal networks within funding partners for skills and enterprise development to generate new partnership opportunities (for SME ecosystem projects, and beyond).
• Develop strategic implementation partnerships with relevant peer organizations for co-proposal on funding opportunities.
• Continually scan the market in this segment to identify business opportunities, relationships and RFP windows across the continent, including opportunities for new products and segments.
• Contribute to strategic thinking around funders and segments of focus for AMI in the future.
• Generate strategies to raise AMI’s profile in skills and enterprise development, and work with the communications team to implement. This could include writing/co-writing white papers, opinion pieces, blogs, keeping track of new research in the sector and speaking at conferences etc.
• Lead proposal development and negotiations on large pan-African partnerships. Work with other members of the team to design, scope and budget complex multi-million dollar projects, and manage robust handover process to program implementation teams.
• Keep strong ongoing relationships with existing partners, in order to expand the scope of partnerships.

Requirements

• At least 10 years experience in business development, fund-raising or partnership management, with at least 2 years in international development, including proposal development (essential) 
• Experience working in an entrepreneurial environment, ideally within Africa’s SME/entrepreneur support ecosystem (essential)
• Relevant Masters degree (MBA advantageous) or equivalent experience 
• AMI will consider candidates from any country, but preference will be given to African nationals . Successful candidate must be willing to live and work in Africa (Nairobi preferred) and be free to travel elsewhere in Africa (as restrictions allow)
• Sophisticated understanding of Africa’s SME support/ skills development ecosystem, and deep networks with both funders and implementers.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, and to execute methodically.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Excellent proposal writing and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to tell powerful stories and develop strategic recommendations.
• Ability to scope, plan and budget for complex, multi-million dollar skills/enterprise development projects, often in multiple markets.
• Experience in writing formal proposals within development context
• Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Works well under pressure.
• Enthusiasm and commitment for AMI’s vision of transformation through skills and enterprise development.
• Confident networker and relationship builder. Able to represent AMI at international events and conferences with gravitas and charisma.
• Work well with people. Culturally adept. Ability to communicate effectively across different levels, with local and international teams and with very senior stakeholders
• Willingness to engage in robust debate alongside deep respect for others
• Absolutely rock-solid integrity