Head of Programme Job Opportunity in Kenya: Lead a Multi-Country Entrepreneurship Programme Supporting Over 1,600 Entrepreneurs Across Africa @Country Entrepreneurship Programme Supporting Over 1,600 Entrepreneurs Across Africa

GrowthAfrica is recruiting an experienced and visionary Head of Programme to lead one of its largest and most impactful entrepreneurship support initiatives operating across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Ghana.

This senior leadership position presents a unique opportunity for an accomplished programme management professional to oversee the strategic direction, implementation, quality assurance, partnerships, grants management, donor engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and operational delivery of a large-scale entrepreneurship programme designed to transform businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems across Africa.

The programme focuses on supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, innovation teams, and early-stage businesses, with a strong emphasis on empowering young women entrepreneurs in rural and peri-urban communities.

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the successful candidate will lead a diverse team of professionals while collaborating with partners, investors, mentors, technical experts, ecosystem stakeholders, and funders across four African countries.

About GrowthAfrica

GrowthAfrica is recognized as one of Africa’s leading entrepreneurship support organizations, working to accelerate business growth, strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, and create sustainable economic opportunities across the continent.

Through strategic partnerships, business acceleration programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and ecosystem development interventions, GrowthAfrica supports entrepreneurs in building resilient and scalable businesses capable of driving economic transformation.

The Head of Programme role offers an opportunity to join a dynamic leadership team that works across multiple countries, sectors, and stakeholder groups to create lasting impact.

About the Programme

The flagship programme is designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation at scale across four African countries:

• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Ghana

The initiative aims to provide support to:

• More than 1,600 aspiring entrepreneurs
• 200 innovation teams
• 80 early-stage businesses

A key objective of the programme is to promote inclusive entrepreneurship by increasing support for young women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in rural and peri-urban communities where access to entrepreneurial resources and opportunities may be limited.

The programme brings together a wide range of ecosystem actors including:

• Entrepreneurs
• Investors
• Mentors
• Technical experts
• Delivery partners
• Donors
• Government stakeholders
• Innovation ecosystem organizations

This collaborative approach is intended to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems while fostering sustainable business growth and economic development.

Position Summary

The Head of Programme will provide overall leadership and management of programme operations across all participating countries.

The role carries responsibility for ensuring that programme objectives, deliverables, quality standards, budgets, donor requirements, and impact targets are successfully achieved.

The successful candidate will serve as a strategic leader while also maintaining oversight of day-to-day programme implementation and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Leadership and Strategic Direction

The Head of Programme will:

• Lead overall programme strategy and implementation
• Ensure successful programme delivery across four countries
• Drive achievement of programme objectives and outcomes
• Coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders and partners
• Maintain programme quality and performance standards
• Support continuous programme improvement and learning

2. Team Leadership and Management

The role includes direct leadership of a team of 24 professionals.

Responsibilities include:

• Building high-performing teams
• Managing staff performance
• Providing coaching and mentorship
• Supporting professional development
• Promoting collaboration across countries
• Strengthening team effectiveness and accountability

3. Partnership Management

The successful candidate will build and maintain relationships with:

• Development partners
• Implementing partners
• Entrepreneur support organizations
• Investors
• Mentors
• Government institutions
• Ecosystem stakeholders

Strong partnership management will be essential to achieving programme goals and expanding impact.

4. Donor Engagement and Compliance

The Head of Programme will ensure compliance with donor requirements while maintaining strong relationships with funding partners.

Responsibilities include:

• Donor reporting
• Compliance management
• Risk management
• Grant oversight
• Performance monitoring
• Stakeholder communication

5. Budget and Grants Management

Financial oversight is a critical component of the role.

Responsibilities include:

• Budget planning and monitoring
• Resource allocation
• Financial reporting
• Grant management
• Expenditure tracking
• Financial accountability

The successful candidate must demonstrate strong experience managing complex programme budgets and grant-funded initiatives.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

The position requires oversight of programme performance measurement and impact assessment.

This includes:

• Monitoring programme outcomes
• Measuring impact against targets
• Reviewing performance indicators
• Supporting evidence-based decision-making
• Facilitating organizational learning
• Ensuring quality reporting

Why This Opportunity Is Significant

This role offers the chance to lead one of GrowthAfrica’s flagship entrepreneurship programmes at a critical stage of growth and impact.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to:

Lead at Scale

Oversee a programme supporting thousands of entrepreneurs across multiple African markets.

Shape Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

Contribute to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in East and West Africa.

Drive Women’s Economic Empowerment

Support initiatives focused on increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs operating in underserved communities.

Work Across Multiple Countries

Gain exposure to programme delivery and stakeholder engagement in:

• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Ghana

Join a Leading Organization

Become part of one of Africa’s most respected entrepreneur support organizations.

Influence Strategic Growth

Play a key role in shaping programme strategy, partnerships, learning, and long-term impact.

Who GrowthAfrica Is Looking For

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of strategic leadership, programme management expertise, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement experience.

Candidates should demonstrate:

Leadership Experience

• Significant experience managing complex programmes across Africa
• Experience leading large and diverse teams
• Strong people management skills

Programme Management Expertise

• Advanced programme planning and execution capabilities
• Experience overseeing multi-country initiatives
• Strong organizational and coordination skills

Donor-Funded Programme Experience

• Understanding of donor requirements and compliance frameworks
• Experience managing grant-funded programmes
• Strong reporting and accountability skills

Partnership Development Skills

• Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups
• Ability to manage complex partnerships
• Excellent relationship-building capabilities

Sector Knowledge

Understanding of:

• Entrepreneurship development
• Innovation ecosystems
• SME growth and support
• Business acceleration
• Economic development initiatives

Strategic and Operational Balance

The successful candidate should be able to:

• Think strategically
• Make informed decisions
• Execute effectively
• Deliver measurable results

This Opportunity Is Ideal For Professionals Who:

• Enjoy leading teams and managing large programmes
• Thrive in dynamic and complex environments
• Are passionate about entrepreneurship development
• Enjoy working with diverse stakeholders
• Are motivated by measurable impact
• Want to contribute to stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems
• Believe in empowering women entrepreneurs
• Are committed to sustainable economic development across Africa

Job Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Application Deadline

Deadline: 25 June 2026 at 23:59

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline to be considered for this exciting leadership opportunity.

Click here for more and to apply

Final Thoughts

The Head of Programme position at GrowthAfrica represents a rare opportunity to lead a transformative entrepreneurship initiative operating across four African countries.

With responsibility for strategy, delivery, partnerships, grants, donor engagement, and team leadership, this role is ideal for an experienced programme leader seeking to create meaningful impact at scale.

Professionals with a passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, women’s economic empowerment, and ecosystem development are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Click here for more global job opportunities