Current Job Openings
Product Manager - Services
Functional Area : Product Management
Position / Job Title : Product Manager - Services
Reports to : Chief Operating Officer
Location : Nairobi - Kenya
Position : Africa Office
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Job Purpose
The Product Manager - Services will be the team leader for a cross-functional product development team. The Product Manager will manage KickStart’s services development process - from concept vetting, establishment of design criteria, designing, developing and managing pilot projects, to product launches, scaling-up and end of life strategy. The successful introduction of new services to our customers will enable KickStart to increase its penetration of irrigation technologies to our farmers, build our reputation as a social enterprise allowing us to raise more donor funding, and generate incremental revenues so that KickStart becomes more self-sufficient.
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Nature and Scope:
The Product Manager - Services will help build and manage KickStart’s new service offerings.
• Currently, there are three new service offering opportunities - 1) Layaway/Micro-savings using mobile money transfer through the cellphone networks, 2) Loans/Micro-finance through a local bank, and 3) pre-sales & post-sales farmer outreach programs using cell phones, including electronic capture of hot prospects, outbound sales calls and a farming service helpline
• Managing the services development process (new and/or improved product line offerings) through coordinating the services development team which consists of Sales & Marketing, Finance, IT, and Voice of the Customer;
1. Define the specific requirements and strategy for each of the service offerings
Identify gaps in current organizational capabilities and IT infrastructure - develop recommendations
2. Develop the roll-out strategy - from pilot test to mass market launch and transfer to new country strategy
3. Lead the development of “business” related services issues (pricing, product collateral), and develop training content for sales and partner teams
• Research and recommend new service offering and strategies based upon customer requirements.
Key Performance Criteria
1. On time and on budget launches of new service offering
2. Successful training and adoption of new service offering by KickStart sales team and partner team
3. Incremental pump sales and revenues
Principal Accountabilities
1. Develop the business case for any approved products - market potential, user benefits, new income
2. Define the detailed requirements of the service offerings
3. Develop KickStart’s services roadmap
4. Manage the cross-functional service development to launch team to ensure on time and on budget launch of new service
5. Lead the development and resolution of “business-related” issues for services, such as recommended pricing and costing, key messages, user testing strategy, services training, etc
6. Perform and manage analysis of competitive service offerings
Skills and Competencies
• Experience in “services” product management and product marketing in ICT and/or in the Financial Services industry
• Undergraduate degree required. MBA preferred.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams
• Proven experience in creating product roadmaps
• Proven leadership capabilities
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment with diverse people and multi-stakeholders
• Ability to think strategically and still get into the details
• Strong Analytical Skills including Microsoft Excel financial modeling skills
• English speaker required. French, Kiswahili, or Portuguese a plus.
• Hands on, self driven and passionate about the mission of KickStart
• Willingness and flexible to travel
• Understanding and or experience of poor, rural, small-scale farmers
What’s in it for you?
KickStart seeks and retains the best talent to promote sustainable economic growth and employment creation in developing countries. Our commitment to our employees and our mission is strong. If you are ready for a new career adventure, in the fast paced world of global non-profit social enterprise; then let KickStart kick-start your career.
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this challenging position, kindly email your one page Application Letter, together with your detailed CV, clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of your mail to hr@kickstart.org
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply
Please note that application deadline is subject to hiring of suitable candidate
COUNTRY ACCOUNTANT - Kenya
KickStart International is an award winning non-profit social enterprise with a mission to help millions of people in developing countries escape from poverty and to “kickstart” sustainable economic growth. KickStart develops simple money-making tools and markets them to poor, entrepreneurial persons who use them to start profitable new businesses, increase their family wealth and boost local economic growth. (www.kickstart.org).
The organization is recruiting for a qualified, enthusiastic Country Accountant. This person will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will report to the Country Director. The Country Accountant is responsible for running and continually improving the organization’s Financial and Accounting needs in Kenya. The Country Accountant shall be the Certifying Officer on all matters relating to Finance & Accounting and is also responsible for managing project funds accounting.
Principal Accountabilities
1. Ensure that accurate and up to date financial books are kept.
2. Produce accurate and timely financial reports, statements, cash flows and budgets
3. Manage finance staff to ensure they are trained, coordinated and are giving desired results.
4. Manage audits and ensure all recommendations from such audits are implemented.
5. Ensure that all statutory financial reports/ returns are filed on time as required by the statutes applicable in the country at any given time.
6. Liaise with departmental managers and provide all needed financial support.
7. Ensure monthly bank account reconciliations.
Skills and competencies
• Minimum qualifications should include Bachelor of Commerce degree (Accounting Option) with 5 years post qualification experience.
• Must be a Certified Public Accountant
• Detail oriented, capable planner, manager and strong analytical skills
• Must have in depth understanding of accounting systems
• Hands on and self driven
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili
• Strong computer skills - MS Office
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this challenging position, kindly email your one page Application letter together with your detailed CV, clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of your email to hr@kickstart.org by 1st January 2010.
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply
REGIONAL SALES OFFICER- Tanzania
KickStart International is an award winning NGO with a mission to help millions of people in developing countries escape from poverty and to “kickstart” sustainable economic growth. KickStart develops simple money-making tools and markets them to poor, entrepreneurial persons who use them to start profitable new businesses, increase their family wealth and boost local economic growth. (www.KickStart.org).
The organization is looking to recruit a qualified, enthusiastic Regional Sales Officer. This person will be based in Mbeya, Tanzania with frequent travel within Tanzania and will report to the Sales Manager.
The Role
The Regional Sales Officer’s activities support KickStart’s mission of getting people out of poverty in Tanzania, by promoting the sales and usage of our award winning MoneyMaker branded irrigation pumps. The Regional Sales Officer manages our work Mbeya and Rukwa. This person manages our relationships with the dealers, oversees sales representatives and their activities, and helps create awareness through Farmer Field Days and demonstrations.
We need a proven self-starter; someone who can motivate staff, engage and build relationships with dealers, and work closely with farmers.
Principal Accountabilities
• Manage a dealer network including appropriate merchandising, training of dealers, tracking of sales, opening new dealers, and collections of receivables.
• Manage sales representatives, including training, coaching and mentoring, supporting in sales activities, and tracking results;
• Promotions and sales activities, including creating awareness to farmers on benefits of using micro irrigation(Moneymaker Pumps) through demonstrations and promotions.
Skills and competencies
• Diploma in sales and marketing and/or 3 years relevant experience
• Must be computer literate with good Microsoft office skills
• Minimum 3 years experience in similar field
• Clean class “C” driving license
• Must have experience in managing staff
• Excellent Interpersonal and Communication skills
• Skills in building and maintaining relationship and in coaching and mentoring
• Bi-lingual Kiswahili/English required.
• Willingness and flexible to travel and work all over Tanzania and among the poor communities.
What’s in it for you?
KickStart seeks and retains the best talent to promote sustainable economic growth and employment creation in developing countries. Our commitment to our employees and our mission is strong. If you are ready for a new career adventure, in the fast paced world of global social enterprise; then let KickStart kick-start your career.
How to apply:
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this challenging position, kindly email your one page application letter together with your detailed CV, clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of your email to hrtz@kickstart.org by December 15, 2009. Also please provide your most recent salary history.
For more information about KickStart International and a full job description of this role visit our site at www.kickstart.org. We regret that only Short listed candidates will be contacted.
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply
Please note that application deadline is subject to hiring a suitable candidate.
Product Management Internship-Kenya (volunteer position)
KickStart International is an award winning non-profit social enterprise with a mission to help millions of people in developing countries escape from poverty and to “kickstart” sustainable economic growth. KickStart develops simple money-making tools and markets them to poor, entrepreneurial persons who use them to start profitable new businesses, increase their family wealth and boost local economic growth. (www.KickStart.org).
The organization is recruiting for a qualified, enthusiastic volunteer to assist us full-time over a 4 to 6 months period with several new product launch initiatives. The volunteer will be based in Nairobi, Kenya with occasional travel within Kenya.
Opportunity
The volunteer will be managing the market test launch of two new two products. Specifically, the deliverables for the volunteer will be:
• Creating and updating the detail market test strategy and implementation plan;
• Managing the market test, collection and analysis of the results from the market test; and
• Leading the creation of the training content, marketing collateral, and product packaging.
Qualifications
• Product management or product marketing experience. Experience in new product hardware (versus service offering) introduction preferred.
• Technical background - knowledge of mechanical engineering & manufacturing engineering theories useful
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills - a complete team player
• Exceptional planning, organizational and analytical skills
• Results/Performance Orientation - proven “self-starter”
• Ability to work in a dynamic and unstructured environment
• Undergraduate degree required. MBA desirable.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in French desirable.
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this opportunity, kindly email your one page Application Letter, together with your CV (maximum of 3 pages), stating the position title on the subject line of your email to HR@kickstart.org by November 30th, 2009.
You Can Help
Each dollar donated can turn into $15 in profits and wages.
$1 Donation
$15 Profit
