Manager- Strategy & Build

Position: Manager/Senior Manager, Strategy & Build

Office: GDI Africa

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: CEO GDI Africa

Start date: As soon as possible

About GDI: The Global Development Incubator, Inc. (GDI Africa), is a non-profit organization independently incorporated in Kenya in April 2017 and legally registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Act of Kenya. GDI Africa is governed by a locally constituted Board and directly employs over fifty staff across the country and Africa region. GDI is renowned for launching and operationalizing initiatives aimed at systemic and scaled change. GDI’s mission is to bring together ideas, leaders, and capital to build and scale the next generation of social solutions. Key areas of implementation include youth employment, economic inclusion for the extreme poor, gender and PWD inclusion, financing for smallholder farmers, mental health, green jobs and financing, MSME development, and sustainable economic development. GDI Africa works deep in the community with partners and directly with participants in all initiatives, building capacity and ensuring the voices and stories of communities, especially women, are incorporated in all of GDI’s work. More on GDI’s approach and work can be found on the following website: www.gdiafrica.org

About the role: The Manager/Senior Manager will play a critical role in supporting GDI’s livelihood and employment initiatives that address persistent global challenges. Specifically, the Manager/Senior Manager will execute GDI’s engagement on key initiatives under the leadership of GDI Director(s), which will include both managing GDI’s overall engagement with partners and assuming key operational responsibilities within the initiatives. Areas of responsibility will span across strategy, project management, team management, and financial management. As a key team member, the Manager/Senior Manager leads strategy development; participates in senior-level meetings with experts and partners; leads on priority areas; supports partners; manages work plans, workflows, and budgets; and ensures all efforts are implemented for results. Reporting to GDI Africa’s CEO, the Manager/Senior Manager will apply a mix of strategy consulting toolkit, management experience, and development ambitions to successfully deliver on the work. GDI Managers/Senior Managers are expected to exercise a high degree of autonomy and take on significant responsibility.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Analysis

• Lead data collection and analysis efforts to develop compelling, structured and data-driven strategies for GDI initiatives.
• Financial Modeling & Analytics: Leverage a strong background in investment and strategy consulting to build complex financial models and deliver data-driven analytical insights.
• Investment Strategy: Drive strategic decision-making through rigorous market analysis, financial evaluation, and structured consulting frameworks.

Fundraising/Partnership Development

• Develop proposals to secure new sources of funding for initiatives.
• Play an active role in partners’ fundraising efforts by contributing to proposal writing and review, and facilitating strategy discussions with partners.
• Support partners in developing fundraising priorities and strong proposals.

Partner Engagement

• Support the development and delivery of structured verbal and written communications.
• Develop high-quality presentations, reports, and concept notes.
• Facilitate high-stakes meetings.
• Establish strong working relationships with partners at global and local levels.

Team Management

• Manage recruitment process for new GDI team members/contractors on initiatives.
• Directly manage 1-2 GDI team members on initiatives.

Project Management and Financial Management

• Draft and manage annual work plans and budgets.
• Approve contractors’ invoices and expenses.
• Review monthly financial reports and provide analysis to GDI Africa’s CEO.

GOYN-related responsibilities

• Lead GOYN’s learning agenda, including consolidation and dissemination of methodological tools, facilitation of peer-to-peer learning, and oversight of GOYN’s monitoring and evaluation approach.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer connections between GOYN communities.
• Maintain and develop the GOYN Learning Lab (GOYN online resource repository).
• Develop global GOYN thought leadership products, including Learning Briefs and case studies.
• Participate and present in relevant global conferences
• Establish strong relationships with GOYN Anchor Partners in all communities.
• Maintain overall visibility over GDI team engagement, including work plans and deliverables, and share regular updates with GDI Africa CEO and partners.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Master's preferred.
• 7+ years of applicable work experience, with significant experience in a management/strategic consulting position/organization. Direct experience working overseas and managing projects is highly desired.
• Proven track record as an investment professional, ideally paired with management or strategy consulting experience.
• Exceptional technical proficiency in financial modeling, corporate valuation, and strategic analytics.
• Experience supervising or managing monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities in a nonprofit organization is highly desired.
• Outstanding analytical skills and strong inclination towards rigor with demonstrated ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• Excellent listening skills, strong interpersonal skills, and a collaborative team contributor.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; good attention to detail. Ability to develop structured, clear, and compelling presentations and reports.
• Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft suite, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to self-manage work streams and tasks; self-directed and resourceful with high standards for quality output.
• A curious and creative intellect and a style that includes flexibility, levelness, and a sense of humor and humility.

Qualities of GDI Employees

• A relentless drive to get things done.
• Curious and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Passion for driving social impact and tackling the world’s biggest challenges in new ways.

Application Process

If you are interested in this position and meet the qualifications above, please submit a single PDF document containing a one-page cover letter and CV/resume outlining your interest in this position and why you would be a good fit. Please note that the cover letter is considered an important aspect of the application and will be evaluated against the qualifications above. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications take place on a rolling basis until positions are filled and are to be submitted via https://www.gdiafrica.org/our-careers/