Kenya PSDI Director, Inclusive Business Models (ICM)

Project Overview and Role:

Palladium is seeking a Director, Inclusive Business Models (ICM) for an anticipated USAID-funded program in Kenya, which is anticipated to begin in 2023. The USAID/Kenya and East Africa Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) will be a 5-year program focused on accelerating agriculture-led growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural sector firms (such as processors and off-takers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. The anticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scale increases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and, ideally, through a sustainable and locally-led vehicle.  The activity would combine tools used in USAID’s traditional private sector development activities with tools used to mobilize finance and investment into one mechanism – supporting a range of agricultural firms to expand investments and operations via a blended finance approach. For more information on the potential project, please consult the RFI:
The PSDI Director, Inclusive Business Models will provide leadership, management, and general technical direction for the development and design of strategies for inclusive business expansion and development.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Define PSDI’s inclusive business model strategy to increase capacity of the private sector agricultural out-growth in country
•  Provide technical leadership on strategy to develop models and strategies to support new and existing businesses, create sustainable long-term funding vehicles, and provide a range of tools to support agricultural firm expansion
• Present the inclusive business model for PSDI in meetings with public and private sector actors including GoK, non-governmental organizations, business associations, and others
• Supervise implementing partners, sub-contractors, and grantees as they undertake tasks relating to the inclusive business model development.
• Lead work planning and monitor the budget tied to the inclusive business model component
• Travel to various regions of Kenya as needed
• Any and all other project-related tasks as required by the Chief of Party and Palladium HQ

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of inclusive business model practices, especially in relation to the Kenyan private sector, services providers, investors, and out-growers in the Kenyan agricultural development sector
• Robust networks within the Kenyan financial and agricultural sectors.
• Proven track record designing and developing high impact business models and strategies
• Experience working on USAID or other donor-funded programs of a similar size
• Excellent communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred
• Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred
• Written and oral proficiency in English required