Country Director - Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

About TechnoServe: At TechnoServe , we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life. For over 50 years, we have given smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs the skills, connections, and confidence to lift themselves out of poverty. We leverage the power of markets and the private sector to create sustainable economic growth to benefit people and the planet. Our unique mix of business solutions, deep knowledge of local contexts, and data-driven insights is helping to fight poverty across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. TechnoServe staff are local–95% are from the countries in which they work. We put a high premium on collaboration and entrepreneurship. We hold ourselves and each other to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. And we focus on delivering lasting impact for our mission. Job Summary: As the Country Director for TechnoServe Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, you have the incredible opportunity to lead and shape the strategic direction of sustainable economic development in these countries. The Country Director will be at the forefront of driving impactful change, overseeing all aspects of our work from strategic branding to operational excellence. This role isn’t just about managing day-to-day operations; it's about making a lasting difference by ensuring high-quality program implementation, and championing TechnoServe’s mission in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and the East and West Africa Region. You'll be the face of TechnoServe in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda- representing us to stakeholders, developing a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the platforms in these countries, and steering our team towards efficient, effective, and impactful outcomes. It’s a dynamic and rewarding position that offers the chance to drive meaningful change and leave a lasting legacy of economic empowerment and development. The Country Director reports to the Regional Director. Operating from our office in Nairobi, Kenya, the Country Director for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda oversees a portfolio of 8 multi-year programs funded by bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private foundations, and corporate partners with an annual operating budget of more than $6 million, and a team of 94 people. The majority of this work happens in Kenya; although both Uganda and Tanzania present growth opportunities for TechnoServe. Work in these three countries spans value chains and sectors and includes the Blue Economy, Agriculture and Livelihoods, Food Security and Fortification, and Entrepreneurship. Primary Functions & Responsibilities: Business Development and Strategic Growth: In collaboration with regional leadership and program development teams, execute a new business strategy aligned with TechnoServe’s global and regional strategies, maintain strong relationships with a wide range of donors, and develop a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda platforms and scale TechnoServe’s impact. Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector companies, business associations, and civil society organizations; securing their support as needed; represent TechnoServe at internal and external functions. Leadership & Communication: Act as a role model who assumes accountability, communicates transparently, provides thought leadership and escalates issues to home offices in a timely manner, and encourages staff to do the same. Build a working culture that aligns with organizational values and fosters a healthy / productive working environment for in-country staff. Be accessible to staff and hold regular staff meetings to communicate vision, developments, and expectations. Program Oversight: Recruit, coach and supervise competent project managers to ensure successful delivery of results; ensure projects are set up and closed down in a timely manner; ensure submission of internal reports, corporate measurement, and high quality donor reports with support of the divisional back-stopping team; support country-level adaptation and use of program management tools; coordinate support from Technoserve technical practices in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Finance & Administration: Establish and maintain a high functioning financial and administrative team to ensure banking, tax, and financial transactions are conducted in compliance with organizational and donor policies, and budgets align with HQ and donor regulations; ensure submission of high quality reports to TechnoServe’s HQ; ensure that TechnoServe assets (office space, vehicles, technology equipment, etc.), are utilized responsibly and in accordance with organizational policies. Human Resources: Recruit and manage a strong local Senior Management Team, consisting of Program Managers, a Deputy Country Director and leaders of the HR, Finance and Procurement functions who can adequately oversee and support day-to-day operations, follow policy, and manage and motivate their teams; ensure that HR and Recruiting policies and procedures are being followed and ensure timely completion of HR-related activities such as staff performance appraisals; keep abreast of local regulations and proactively addressing performance concerns. Legal Compliance: Act as primary signatory on behalf of the organization and represent TechnoServe in all legal matters at country level, and ensure TechnoServe retains and consults with qualified local legal counsel as needed; ensure that TechnoServe is properly registered in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and complies with all local laws including labor regulations; establish and manage a board of directors if required. Execute agreements with local government, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and client groups. Regional Coordination: Establish and maintain strong working relationships with divisional, regional and HQ teams; ensure information is shared and flows transparently within the country project team, TechnoServe practices, and to the regional program management team. Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in economics, international relations business or related field, with a minimum of 15 years of experience; or Master’s degree in economics, international economics, international relations/policy, with a minimum of 10 years of experience. 5 years’ implementation and management experience relating to large-scale projects with responsibility for all aspects of operations. Experience working in developing countries, with a preference for East Africa program management. Significant operations experience, including experience in budget development and management; private sector experience; donor and stakeholder management experience. Required Languages: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including fluency in English. Travel: Travel up to 30 % Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Entrepreneurial and inspirational, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-performing team in stressful context. Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Supervisory Responsibilities: The Country Director supervises a team of Project Leads and Department Managers We welcome applications from both international and in-country candidates. If the successful candidate is a resident of the operating country, s(he) will be offered a local contract, and paid in local currency. We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply. With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes. We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks. If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.