About the Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our team as the Head of Market Systems in East Africa. The Head of Market Systems is pivotal in driving market linkages and facilitating strategic partnerships across our countries of operation.

She/he will lead initiatives aimed at fostering connections between producers, suppliers, and consumers, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth and development for micro and small businesses in and around the refugee-hosting regions and secondary cities.

In Inkomoko’s 2030 strategic plan, we recognized the need to create a positive enabling environment for the entrepreneurs we serve – particularly to connect micro and small entrepreneurs to market opportunities beyond their current regions. To achieve thriving communities, Inkomoko believes in a holistic approach of supporting micro and small businesses including refugees at individual, market, and ecosystem level for a favorable business environment.

The Head of Market Systems will be a strategic, systems-level thinker who is committed to driving a market systems change for displaced or marginalized entrepreneurs.

Responsibilities

Specifically, responsibilities of this position include:

• Refine the market linkages strategy and roadmap. Map the core barriers to our clients’ success, current  stakeholders interested in maintaining and/or impacting the status quo, and approaches to change. This role requires someone who can see a big vision, as well as targeted opportunities to make lasting change.
• Market Analysis: conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges within the East African market landscape with an emphasis on Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
• Strategic Partnerships: Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry associations, NGOs, and private sector organizations.
• Market Linkages: Oversee Market Linkages implementation across countries, including: Facilitating connections between producers, suppliers, distributors, and consumers to enhance market access and optimize value chains.
• Capacity Building: Lead Market linkage training needs to support local businesses and entrepreneurs to improve their market competitiveness and expand their market reach.
• Innovation: Explore innovative solutions and leverage technology to enhance market linkages and streamline business processes. Always look out for what works and what does not and change strategy/processes/systems accordingly.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with internal teams, including investment, MEL, and communication Departments to align market linkage strategies with overall Inkomoko objectives.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Engage MEL to establish market linkage metrics to monitor the effectiveness of market linkage initiatives and track progress toward goals.
• Reporting: Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management and stakeholders, highlighting key insights, achievements, and areas for improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven experience (7+ years) in market development, business development, or related roles, preferably within the East African context.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, value chains, and business ecosystems in East Africa.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities and drive results.
• Proficiency in data analysis and report writing.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in French, Swahili and Arabic is a plus.
• Ability to travel within the region as required.
• Unrelenting commitment to equity, refugees, poverty alleviation, improved livelihoods and the Inkomoko mission.
• Master’s degree in a related field, preferred but not required.
• Lived experience of displacement is highly respected and sought for all leadership

What You’ll Get

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

• Competitive salary, and potential Goal-based bonus
• Incredible company culture, including deep investment in your learning and growth
• Diverse colleagues and policies that show our commitment to equity and inclusion
• Talented, passionate, and committed team colleagues across the region
• Ability to make a significant social impact to your community
• Generous health insurance, staff savings, parental leave, sabbatical, and more benefits.