Project Associate Job Vacancy

Vacancy: Associate

Background: Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya was established in 2005 to support the development of financial markets in Kenya as a means to stimulate wealth creation and reduce poverty.

Working in partnership with the financial services industry, FSDK’s goal is to expand access to financial services among lower income households and smaller enterprises.

FSDK operates as an independent trust under the supervision of professional trustees with policy guidance from a Programme Investment Committee.

Within the wider remit of FSD Kenya, and recognizing the strategic importance of SME’s, the GrowthCap Project has been incepted.

GrowthCap is a unique and innovative new initiative designed to build capacity within Kenya’s SME financial sector community through the provision of focused support to a select group of financial institutions.

GrowthCap seeks to identify and promote real and sustainable innovation in the provision of SME financial products and services i.e. breakthrough thinking that has the potential to be industry defining.

The project will work alongside partner institutions to design and deliver innovative SME-centered products and services; and maximize their commercial performance in a market sector that is accepted as being crucial for future profitability and growth.

The main objective of this project is to build the capacity of the financial sector to provide high quality SME centered financial products and services.

Job Purpose: The role will support the Head of Inclusive Growth to develop and manage the project, the aim of which is to build the capacity of the financial sector to provide high quality SME centered financial products and services.

GrowthCap Associate will operate at the Project’s front-line and be responsible (in collaboration with the Head) for establishing and maintaining trusted partnerships between GrowthCap and the selected Action Research Partners; and managing lines of communication between the organizations.

Reporting to the Head of Inclusive Growth, the Associate will be expected to:
  • Work alongside the Action Research Partner (’ARP’) and develop an understanding of their SME banking operation and practice; and, also, their future strategic intent in respect of the SME market.
  • Build relationships with key personnel within the ‘ARP’ and assist them in all tasks associated with the GrowthCap initiative; and help to embed new SME‘custom & practice’ within the culture of the ‘ARP’.
  • Undertake action research within the ‘ARP’ based upon situation & needs analysis.
  • Provide support in defining the future SME delivery strategies and assist in their implementation.
  • Scope projects based on defined SME strategic objectives, situation analysis and available resources.
  • Develop materials for internal use.
  • Write interim reports for both the ‘ARP’ and Growthcap.
  • Provide an effective line of communication between GrowthCap and its ‘ARPs’.
  • Help design and manage on-going mechanisms for monitoring & evaluation the impact of GrowthCap support in terms of assisting the ‘ARP’ to achieve its strategic objectives in the SME market.

Qualifications and Experience
  • At least a first degree (or its equivalent) in Economics, Management, Business Administration, Public Sector/Administration, Finance or any other related discipline.
  • Minimum of two years and a maximum of five years of relevant experience
  • Experience of working with SMEs or with the SME context.
  • Relevant knowledge of the Kenyan financial markets.
  • Strong drive, determination & ‘need for achievement of results’.
  • Change management experience, strong interpersonal skills and coordination skills.

How to Apply:

Send your application including a cover letter indicating your desire to work with our client; a detailed CV highlighting relevant experience, details of current and expected salary, a daytime phone contact, email address and three professional referees to:

Adept Systems
Management Consultants
P O Box 6416, Nairobi,
GPO 00100


Closing Date: Monday 9th June 2014

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.


Please note that we do not charge fees for receiving or processing job applications.