UK - Kenya Tech Hub Director, International Tech Hub Network

This role will suit individuals with significant experience or knowledge of the UK/Kenya tech and start-up scenes, combined with an understanding of development policy and how digital technology can be harnessed to reduce poverty and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.

The role will require leadership experience and expert knowledge of the Kenyan digital economy and related business environment and government policy. The role will suit somebody with experience and a track record of impact in Kenyan and international tech markets, and/or in the ‘digital and tech for development’ sector, and willing to take on the opportunity of building a significant tech partnership between Kenya and the UK. The jobholder will be expected to be a credible interlocutor with those working in the sector, both startups and larger businesses. Experience with influencing and shaping policy positions, experience with digital enterprise, digital trade or e-commerce regulation is welcome but not required. 

The ability to manage competing deadlines i.e. long term projects with short same day deadline requests from Ministers, Heads of Mission or other UK Government senior leads.

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 on arrival:

• At least seven years’ experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and start-up scene within Kenya;
  
• Significant leadership experience and record of impact in the technology/digital sector or business development more widely (or a passion for innovation and technology);
  
• A deep interest and robust understanding of the role of digital and tech for development;
  
• A good understanding of digital inclusion and local digital entrepreneurship challenges and solutions.
  
• Experience of developing strategies in partnership with multiple stakeholders;
  
• Well networked within the tech sector (private sector firms and start-ups), county and national government;
  
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Kenyan business landscape
  
• Track record of leading successful delivery in either industry, government or using technology for development;
  
• Proven track record of leading teams to develop and run projects and partnerships from the ground up – core funding will constitute Official Development Assistance, with legal and Value-for-Money constraints on how it is spent so an existing understanding or previous experience of development programming would be very welcome;
  
• While budgets are somewhat restricted for travel. willingness to travel within Kenya, and occasionally to the UK and other locations.
  

This role will suit individuals with significant experience or knowledge of the UK/Kenya tech and start-up scenes, combined with an understanding of development policy and how digital technology can be harnessed to reduce poverty and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.

The role will require leadership experience and expert knowledge of the Kenyan digital economy and related business environment and government policy. The role will suit somebody with experience and a track record of impact in Kenyan and international tech markets, and/or in the ‘digital and tech for development’ sector, and willing to take on the opportunity of building a significant tech partnership between Kenya and the UK. The jobholder will be expected to be a credible interlocutor with those working in the sector, both startups and larger businesses. Experience with influencing and shaping policy positions, experience with digital enterprise, digital trade or e-commerce regulation is welcome but not required. 

The ability to manage competing deadlines i.e. long term projects with short same day deadline requests from Ministers, Heads of Mission or other UK Government senior leads.

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 on arrival:

• At least seven years’ experience in, and knowledge of, the tech sector and start-up scene within Kenya;
  
• Significant leadership experience and record of impact in the technology/digital sector or business development more widely (or a passion for innovation and technology);
  
• A deep interest and robust understanding of the role of digital and tech for development;
  
• A good understanding of digital inclusion and local digital entrepreneurship challenges and solutions.
  
• Experience of developing strategies in partnership with multiple stakeholders;
  
• Well networked within the tech sector (private sector firms and start-ups), county and national government;
  
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Kenyan business landscape
  
• Track record of leading successful delivery in either industry, government or using technology for development;
  
• Proven track record of leading teams to develop and run projects and partnerships from the ground up – core funding will constitute Official Development Assistance, with legal and Value-for-Money constraints on how it is spent so an existing understanding or previous experience of development programming would be very welcome;
  
• While budgets are somewhat restricted for travel. willingness to travel within Kenya, and occasionally to the UK and other locations.