Manager: Frontier Technology (AI | DPI)

at  Genesis

ABOUT GENESIS

In a world undergoing convulsive technological and political change, Genesis partners with key actors to deliver urgent, lasting impact in critical areas.
Genesis, an impact firm founded, incorporated and headquartered in Africa, has worked in 46 African countries and more than 100 countries globally. Uniquely, Genesis is focused on the Young World – the arc of countries with young populations stretching across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia.
By 2030 four in five children will be born in the Young World, making this region central to the future. With growing markets and young, productive populations, Young World countries have the most positive potential trajectory in the world. It is here that investments of all kinds will have the highest social and economic returns.

Our job at Genesis is to help societies, governments and businesses across the Young World succeed at three fundamental historic transitions:

• Reconfiguring economies: creating income for large, rapidly urbanising youth cohorts within a global economy undergoing profound changes
• A human transition: a fundamental rethink of how societies, governments and markets can ensure the health and cognitive and social well-being of all those young people, including the most vulnerable
• A just climate transition: both to decarbonise and to manage the human and economic impacts of a global crisis they did not cause

To do this work, we are building a new type of impact firm
LOCATION : This role is based out of SADC or East African countries with a preference for South Africa and Kenya. (You must already have the right to work in the location you for).

PRACTICE AREA DESCRIPTION

The Centre of Digital Excellence (C0DE) at Genesis is our dedicated arm for technology and digital innovation. C0DE focuses on harnessing the transformative power of technology to drive development and governance improvements in the Young World.
Operating at the intersection of technology, policy, and societal impact, C0DE works to ensure that digital advancements contribute positively to social and economic development.
Our work is focused on three areas: digital public infrastructure, frontier technology, technology governance and ethics.
We work with governments and their international partners to reshape service delivery, social protection, and data-driven policies through innovative digital public infrastructure (DPI) solutions. Our team identifies opportunities, assesses readiness, and implements full-scale DPI programs tailored for developing contexts.
C0DE is spearheading a multi-year programme that is assisting the Presidency of an African country in establishing and delivering on a whole-of-government digital transformation agenda. This will see the design, development and roll-out of DPI and associated competencies.
We assist clients in navigating the complexities of AI to maximise its economic and social benefits while mitigating risks. We identify, assess and clearly communicate these complexities. We help clients to craft interventions that promote the adoption of responsible AI to benefit the Young World.
C0DE is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the impact of AI on the African Business Process Outsourcing Industry, where the technology presents new opportunities and threats to employment on the continent.
We work with governments, industry partners, and civil society organisations to navigate complex regulatory environments, ensuring compliance and fostering trusted digital innovations and programmes. We identify and mitigate regulatory gaps and compliance challenges early; and engage as thought leaders with diverse stakeholders to build consensus on data governance.
C0DE is overcoming the barriers to data sharing between government departments through a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory barriers to data sharing, and associated legal and regulatory reforms.

Requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Economics, Data Science, Engineering, Public Policy) or equivalent experience.
• Experience: 4-6 years of experience is required. Proven experience in strategic consulting, preferably within the digital transformation, AI or DPI space. Experience in developing contexts, multi-year programme management and donor coordination is a plus

ROLE DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Manager to join the Centre of Digital Excellence.
As an impact-firm, Genesis offers you a space to apply your exceptional talents in areas where it matters most for nurturing the Young World. We offer meaningful work with professional, talented and supportive teams; mentoring and regular feedback from partners; structured training and coaching programmes; and a career ladder.
We offer you a steep learning curve while providing an opportunity to make a difference. We will invest in your professional development. We hire managers with the expectation that they can become partners at Genesis. Genesis offers a highly rewarding, challenging and flexible career. Working with your mentor, we encourage you to explore living and working in different locations, and deepening and complementing your specialised skills
You’ll get the chance to work with some of the world’s biggest clients and next to colleagues who are smart, passionate and kind.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Leadership: Lead and deliver consulting projects to identify opportunities and risks associated with a focus on AI and DPI in developing contexts. Drive problem structuring, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and the drafting of conclusions and recommendations.
• Team Management: Oversee and mentor project teams. Ensure service excellence, project profitability, efficiency, and performance management of team members. Foster a learning environment by nurturing and developing consultants within the team.
• Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, managing interactions and negotiations to ensure clear communication and satisfaction.
• Business Development: Develop new client relationships and lead proposal efforts to expand our service lines. Identify new opportunities and proactively build relationships with key stakeholders to build projects around these opportunities.
• Thought Leadership: Contribute to thought leadership through articles, conference presentations, and innovative client products. Foster a culture of innovation and excellence within the practice.
• Practice Organisation: Assist in practice strategy, business systems, finances and billing, recruiting, nurturing, and managing consultants. Lead new specialisms in digital economy development ensuring the practice remains at the forefront of industry advancements.
• Firm Strategy: Contribute to the wider firm strategy and organisation, demonstrating proactive leadership and strategic thinking.

Genesis consultants carry a balanced combination of powerful intellect, strong technical skills, and a consulting character to match. Successful candidates for roles at Genesis:

• Are passionate, self-motivated and energetic problem-solver
• Value integrity and exhibit ethical behaviour
• Are analytical thinkers and fast learners with excellent academic record

You are likely to have:

Requirements:

• Education: Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Economics, Data Science, Engineering, Public Policy) or equivalent experience.
• Experience: 4-6 years of experience is required. Proven experience in strategic consulting, preferably within the digital transformation, AI or DPI space. Experience in developing contexts, multi-year programme management and donor coordination is a plus.

However, content and processes can be learned. We care more about who you are than where you’ve come from. Some of the attributes we value most at C0DE are:

• Initiative and Proactiveness: Self-starter who identifies opportunities and takes the lead in addressing challenges and driving projects forward.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical abilities to structure problems, analyze data, and develop innovative solutions.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and align projects and initiatives with long-term goals and objectives.
• Creativity and Innovation: Ability to think outside the box and bring fresh, impactful ideas to the table.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal, written and visual communication skills for negotiating with clients, presenting ideas, and leading teams.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Strong leadership qualities with the ability to mentor and develop team members.
• Resilience and Grit: Demonstrated perseverance and ability to navigate and overcome challenges in dynamic and sometimes challenging environments.
• Cultural Sensitivity: An understanding of and respect for the diverse socio-economic contexts within which Genesis operates, particularly in the Young World