Partnerships Lead - SME Ecosystem Building

AMI is looking for ambitious and talented Partnerships Lead who must be a practical leader passionate about skills and enterprise development as a way to transform Africa with extensive networks in and understanding of the continent s SME support ecosystem.

The Partnerships Lead is part of the AMI Impact team and will report to the Director of Impact Partnerships (who is based in Nairobi) as part of a senior team working to secure new strategic partnerships that expand our work with SMEs entrepreneurs and youth across Africa. AMI is already working with some of the leading funders and stakeholders in the skills and enterprise space including global development funders DFIs and Foundations. The holder of this role will identify new opportunities for AMI to grow and increase our impact. This individual will take responsibility for pioneering new high priority partnerships at leading global development funders development consultants and private and corporate foundations.

In particular this individual will develop a BD strategy for securing new impact partnerships that focus on SME ecosystem building (BDS provider capacity building and related projects e.g. standards development for BDS indirect delivery of SME growth programmes). These will build off the work AMI has done to develop national standards for BDS support in Uganda and prior and current projects focused on building SME support ecosystems in various countries.

As a Lead level role we expect the candidate to bring their own development sector relationships to their work and to have the seniority to develop a BD strategy within their focus area. The role therefore includes but goes far beyond current AMI relationship management/ proposal writing to current funders.

It is expected that this individual will also conduct business development and lead on proposal development for skills development proposals that are not specifically ecosystembuilding focused (e.g. directly delivered SME growth programmes development sector management and leadership programmes etc)

• Build longterm relationships with major panAfrican 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 ecosystembuilding 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 longterm 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 coproposal 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/cowriting 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 panAfrican partnerships. Work with other members of the team to design scope and budget complex multimillion 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 fundraising 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 multimillion dollar skills/enterprise development projects often in multiple markets.
  

• Experience in writing formal proposals within development context
  

• Thrives in a fastpaced 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 rocksolid integrity
  

Benefits

• A highimpact diverse and ambitious team with common values:
  

• Be the best: We work really hard are proud of what we do and love delighting our clients with quality.
  

• Own it: We step up to the task never pass the buck and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results.
  

• Push the limits: We ask why embrace failure and try new things. We never settle.
  

• Do what s right: We act with integrity confront dishonesty treat people fairly and strive to contribute to the greater good
  

• Always care: We don t have ego it s always team before me . We are kind we celebrate each other s success and we care enough to give honest feedback.
  

• A dynamic office & team life:
  

• Brand new offices in Westlands Nairobi
  

• Monthly team social events and yearly offsite
  

• Regular learning and coaching opportunities
  

• A hybrid working model