Market Systems Development Senior Associate - Kakuma & Dadaab at Inkomoko

Dadaab, Garissa, Kenya -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

10 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Market Systems, Project Management, Access To Finance, Partnership Development, Program Design, Market Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Data Management, Monitoring And Evaluation, Business Development, Inclusive Business Models, Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneurship Support, Adaptive Management, Value Chain Management, Analytical Skills, Creative Thinking

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

ABOUT INKOMOKO Inkomoko supports entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in order to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and help communities thrive. In 2025, Inkomoko was listed by the Financial Times as the 8th fastest-growing company in Africa, supporting entrepreneurs across East and Central Africa to grow thriving businesses and build inclusive, resilient economies. Founded in 2012, Inkomoko has worked with more than 100,000 entrepreneurs, including thousands of refugee entrepreneurs. Inkomoko provides a combination of training, consulting, access to finance, and market-level systems change. We are the largest investor to refugee entrepreneurs in Africa. Inkomoko has 750+ staff in 40 offices across Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Through Inkomoko’s 2030 strategic plan, we are adding 3 additional countries to serve more than 550,000 entrepreneurs and growing our $30M loan fund to impact 7M lives. INKOMOKO VALUES All staff at Inkomoko are connected to a shared set of organizational values: Purpose: be solutions-oriented and produce high-quality work and be a global leader. Achievement: push yourself to reach beyond what you think is possible. Improvement: be humble and committed to continuous learning and growing through giving and receiving open and accurate feedback. Bravery: willing to take risks, create a safe space for others, be compassionate, inclusive. Turikumwe/Tuko Pamoja/ Abren Nen (“We are together”): appreciate your colleagues, celebrate success, and support each other in hard times. ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITIES This position will play a critical role in the design and implementation of the Market systems strategy in Dadaab / Kakuma, focusing on the recent research findings and assessments. They will drive the development of ideas and concepts , implementation strategies and partnerships to implement frameworks and partnerships that strengthen market access for micro and small entrepreneurs, ensuring that all interventions are aligned with systemic change principles. This role will be pivotal in fostering sustainable business growth through private sector engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptive program management across locations. We are looking for two individuals to be based in Dadaab and Kakuma. The objectives of this role include: Design an implementation strategy and frameworks to serve micro and small entrepreneurs in Kenya ( especially in location like dadaab / Kakuma ) Fully develop and operationalize program plans and to meet the needs of Inkomoko, our clients and partners. Initiate , negotiate and secure partnerships with private and public sector actors , in accordance with the principles of facilitation in MSD Specific responsibilities include: Program Management, Diagnostics and Strategy (20% of the time) Lead rigorous market systems diagnostics and value chain assessments in priority sectors—including livestock, solar energy, finance, logistics, agriculture, textiles, FMCG, and manufacturing—to uncover systemic constraints, incentive structures, and leverage points for inclusive, sustainable change. Map and engage a diverse range of market actors—including producers, buyers, service providers, and policy influencers—to strengthen core and supporting market functions and foster well-functioning market linkage systems. Maintain a database of enterprises and identify those with high potential to crowd in and scale inclusive practices. Intervention Design and implementation (30% of the time) Co-design and facilitate catalytic, market-driven interventions that address systemic constraints and root causes of market underperformance. Interventions should be facilitative, reinforcing existing market functions and incentivizing local actors to lead and sustain change. Solicit , formally and informally potential partnerships through the development of TORS, Call for applications and Partnership requests to onboard different private and public sector actors to design and implement interventions Use adaptive management principles to adjust interventions based on ongoing market analysis, stakeholder feedback, and learning. Promote inclusive business models that create value for marginalized market actors, including refugees and host communities. Facilitate the crowding-in of market actors by demonstrating commercially viable solutions, ensuring interventions are scalable, cost-effective, and anchored in market incentives rather than direct service delivery. Partnerships & External Relations (25 % of the time) Facilitate and maintain strategic relationships with private sector actors to co-create and support inclusive market opportunities for clients. Support the design and implementation of market-facing activities, such as exhibitions, buyer-seller forums, and trade events, that enhance clients’ visibility and access to end markets. Engage proactively with start-ups and SMEs to identify systemic barriers to growth, co-develop pathways for upscaling. Cultivate a robust network of private sector firms, producer organizations, and relevant development partners—particularly those engaged in agriculture, livestock, retail, and industrial productivity—to foster collaboration and alignment across the market system. Develop MoUs, grant agreements, or technical assistance packages with partners based in negotiations and alignment with the Facilitate co-creation of business models or behavior changes that address market constraints. Manage and nurture ongoing partnerships — acting as a trusted advisor rather than a service provider. M&E and Adoptive management (10 % of the time) Lead the use of technology-enabled tools to systematically collect, record, and manage entrepreneur and market actor data to support evidence-based service delivery and adaptive programming. Write intervention plans, concept notes, learning briefs, and success stories. Share learnings internally (within the MSD team) and externally (with partners, other programs, or donors) Maintain clear and concise intervention logs and updates for internal and donor reporting. Oversee the development and use of tools to monitor market actor behavior change, such as the adoption of inclusive business models, investment in support services, and improved market relationships. Design and maintain intervention-specific results chains and systemic change frameworks, clearly articulating the linkages between program activities, outputs, outcomes, and intended market system shifts. Co-design and implement robust M&E frameworks, including both quantitative and qualitative indicators, to track changes in market systems, particularly in areas such as actor behavior, crowding-in, and inclusion of marginalized groups. Ensure high standards of data quality, consistency, and security across all interventions, supporting accurate analysis and real-time decision-making. Market linkage activities (10% of the time ) Support in the design and execute market linkage services like buyer engagement, tender distributions, buyer and supplier connections, etc, to enable clients to expand their businesses Work with consulting business advisors and Investment officers to identify clients suitable for market linkage opportunities. Provide recruitment and training support, as needed. Lead market linkage initiatives by sharing key learnings internally, coordinating with business development and investment teams to identify high-potential clients, and supporting them in accessing and utilizing market opportunities. Management & Administration (5% of the time ) Contribute to the development of annual objectives, strategies, and work plans for BGS, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and MSD principles. Lead administrative planning for intervention roll-out, including budgeting, procurement requests, and compliance with internal financial and operational procedures. Manage project resources effectively, ensuring responsible use of funds, timely reporting on expenditures, and adherence to donor and organizational guidelines. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of project activities, partner communications, contracts, and operational tools in line with data management standards. Supervise or coordinate with support staff (e.g., finance, admin, logistics) to ensure seamless implementation of field activities and operational support across locations. Participate in internal coordination meetings, contribute to reporting cycles, and provide updates on progress, risks, and administrative needs CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS We are looking for candidates who have previously held Market Systems and project management roles , access to finance interventions ,with demonstrated success, and who align with our company values. 5+ years of demonstrated success in program management of complex projects, Market systems programs. Master’s degree preferred, or Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business administration, value chain management or related field Experience with designing and implementing projects with a market-systems approach and/or to create market linkages in Kenya Experience working with micro and small businesses as well as overall market dynamics, financial markets and Financial inclusion Has a sound of understanding of challenges refugees and the local community face with regards to business growth. Highly analytical and organize Excellent creative and innovative thinking skills Fluency in English and Swahili required. Any other local language is a plus COMPETENCIES We are looking for someone who; Instills Trust - Follows through on commitments, builds credibility by being direct and truthful, and shows genuine care for staff members. Acts with Courage - Steps up to address difficult issues and speaks openly with bravery; takes the initiative to pursue new opportunities; takes full ownership of own work Makes Informed Decisions - Seeks relevant data and input when needed, takes appropriate action within their area of responsibility, and knows when to escalate issues or seek guidance. WHAT YOU’LL GET This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access: Meaningful work that directly contributes to sustainable livelihoods and job creation across East and Central Africa. Competitive salary, and potential Performance-based bonus Incredible company culture, with opportunities for learning and growth Diverse colleagues across the region, and policies that demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion A dynamic and entrepreneurial team environment committed to innovation and social impact Health insurance for self and family Staff savings and provident fund, negotiated bank rates for long-term employees Generous annual leave, parental leave, and sabbatical options. TO APPLY If you’re excited about this role, please submit your CV, and tell us why you are the right fit for this opportunity. Inkomoko is committed to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. As we seek to reflect the communities we serve, refugees and women are strongly encouraged to apply. As a company we have policies that ensure fair treatment in the application process. NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is conditional upon successful background checks and other verification as needed. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and background screening checks. Inkomoko also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual misconduct, fraud, or abuse. By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Responsibilities

The role involves designing and implementing market systems strategies to support micro and small entrepreneurs in Dadaab and Kakuma. It includes managing partnerships, conducting market diagnostics, and facilitating interventions to foster sustainable business growth.