Program Manager- Enterprise Development & Financial Inclusion

About the Equity Group Foundation

Equity Group Foundation (EGF) is the social impact implementing arm of the Equity Group Holdings. EGF aims to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by equipping them, capacity building and linking them to modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. Since its inception, EGF has led high-impact development programs in East and Central Africa in the fields of Education and Leadership Development; Food and Agriculture; Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion (ED&FI); Energy, Environment & Climate Change; Social Protection; and Health. EGF has adopted Innovation & Technology as a leverage to expand its reach, efficiency in program delivery and impact at scale, as well as Advocacy to advance social change through awareness, mobilizing partnerships and championing relevant policy change.

The Role Purpose

Reporting to the Pillar Lead, the Program Manager is responsible for the design, implementation, performance management, and continuous improvement of Enterprise Development & Financial Inclusion programs that drive enterprise growth, financial inclusion, innovation, and sustainable economic opportunities. The role translates strategy into scalable, technology-enabled interventions that strengthen enterprise capability, improve productivity, expand access to finance, strengthen market participation, and support business growth among MSMEs, youth, women, and other underserved populations. The Program Manager provides technical leadership in assigned thematic areas while leveraging technology, data, ecosystem partnerships, and innovation to achieve impact at scale. The role also ensures strong governance, risk management, compliance, financial stewardship, and operational controls to safeguard program integrity and maximize value for beneficiaries, partners, donors, and Equity Group stakeholders.

The Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and delivery of programs within the Enterprise Development pillar that aligns with the strategic objectives of EGF under assigned thematic areas.
• Lead the design, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of ED&FI programs and initiatives within assigned thematic areas.
• Drive enterprise growth, job creation, financial inclusion, and livelihood improvement outcomes through effective delivery of capacity building, business development, market linkage, and financial access interventions.
• Manage program performance, budgets, work plans, risks, compliance requirements, and reporting to ensure quality, efficiency, and achievement of program targets.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with donors, government agencies, financial institutions, private sector players, ecosystem actors, and development partners to strengthen program delivery and sustainability.
• Provide technical leadership and thought leadership within assigned practice areas, contributing to innovation, program development, and resource mobilization efforts.
• Lead, coach, and develop high-performing program teams while promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning, knowledge management, and impact measurement processes to support evidence-based decision-making and program effectiveness.
• Champion business growth and financial inclusion by facilitating access to finance, market opportunities, digital solutions, and relevant enterprise support services for beneficiaries.
• Develop stakeholder reports, impact stories, knowledge products, and management updates that effectively communicate program achievements, lessons learned, and strategic value.
• Represent EGF in relevant forums, partnerships, and ecosystem engagements while strengthening the visibility and positioning of the ED&FI pillar.

Core Accountabilities and Deliverables

• Financial: Program budget preparation, management, and utilization, Resource mobilization and partnership development, Contribution to customer acquisition, financial inclusion, and access-to-finance outcomes, Support growth in enterprise financing and uptake of financial services.
• Processes: Quality program design and implementation, Delivery against approved work plans, budgets, and targets, Compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and audit standards and accurate, timely, and actionable reporting
• Customers and clients: Delivery of impactful enterprise development and financial inclusion interventions, Increased customer satisfaction, enterprise growth, and financial capability, strengthened access to finance, markets, and business support services, enhanced inclusion of youth, women, and underserved segment.
• People: Supervision and development of program staff, Performance management, coaching, and mentorship, Team engagement, capability building, and succession planning, Promotion of a high-performance and learning culture

About the Equity Group Foundation

Equity Group Foundation (EGF) is the social impact implementing arm of the Equity Group Holdings. EGF aims to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by equipping them, capacity building and linking them to modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. Since its inception, EGF has led high-impact development programs in East and Central Africa in the fields of Education and Leadership Development; Food and Agriculture; Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion (ED&FI); Energy, Environment & Climate Change; Social Protection; and Health. EGF has adopted Innovation & Technology as a leverage to expand its reach, efficiency in program delivery and impact at scale, as well as Advocacy to advance social change through awareness, mobilizing partnerships and championing relevant policy change.

The Role Purpose

Reporting to the Pillar Lead, the Program Manager is responsible for the design, implementation, performance management, and continuous improvement of Enterprise Development & Financial Inclusion programs that drive enterprise growth, financial inclusion, innovation, and sustainable economic opportunities. The role translates strategy into scalable, technology-enabled interventions that strengthen enterprise capability, improve productivity, expand access to finance, strengthen market participation, and support business growth among MSMEs, youth, women, and other underserved populations. The Program Manager provides technical leadership in assigned thematic areas while leveraging technology, data, ecosystem partnerships, and innovation to achieve impact at scale. The role also ensures strong governance, risk management, compliance, financial stewardship, and operational controls to safeguard program integrity and maximize value for beneficiaries, partners, donors, and Equity Group stakeholders.

The Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and delivery of programs within the Enterprise Development pillar that aligns with the strategic objectives of EGF under assigned thematic areas.
• Lead the design, planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of ED&FI programs and initiatives within assigned thematic areas.
• Drive enterprise growth, job creation, financial inclusion, and livelihood improvement outcomes through effective delivery of capacity building, business development, market linkage, and financial access interventions.
• Manage program performance, budgets, work plans, risks, compliance requirements, and reporting to ensure quality, efficiency, and achievement of program targets.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with donors, government agencies, financial institutions, private sector players, ecosystem actors, and development partners to strengthen program delivery and sustainability.
• Provide technical leadership and thought leadership within assigned practice areas, contributing to innovation, program development, and resource mobilization efforts.
• Lead, coach, and develop high-performing program teams while promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning, knowledge management, and impact measurement processes to support evidence-based decision-making and program effectiveness.
• Champion business growth and financial inclusion by facilitating access to finance, market opportunities, digital solutions, and relevant enterprise support services for beneficiaries.
• Develop stakeholder reports, impact stories, knowledge products, and management updates that effectively communicate program achievements, lessons learned, and strategic value.
• Represent EGF in relevant forums, partnerships, and ecosystem engagements while strengthening the visibility and positioning of the ED&FI pillar.

Core Accountabilities and Deliverables

• Financial: Program budget preparation, management, and utilization, Resource mobilization and partnership development, Contribution to customer acquisition, financial inclusion, and access-to-finance outcomes, Support growth in enterprise financing and uptake of financial services.
• Processes: Quality program design and implementation, Delivery against approved work plans, budgets, and targets, Compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and audit standards and accurate, timely, and actionable reporting
• Customers and clients: Delivery of impactful enterprise development and financial inclusion interventions, Increased customer satisfaction, enterprise growth, and financial capability, strengthened access to finance, markets, and business support services, enhanced inclusion of youth, women, and underserved segment.
• People: Supervision and development of program staff, Performance management, coaching, and mentorship, Team engagement, capability building, and succession planning, Promotion of a high-performance and learning culture

• Minimum 5 years' progressive experience in enterprise development, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, or related program management.

• Proven experience leading complex programs, partnerships, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams, delivering measurable business, development, or financial inclusion outcomes.

• Experience leveraging technology, digital platforms, data, or innovation to improve program effectiveness and scale.

• Familiarity with innovation, digitalization and demonstrated ability to identify and nurture innovative solutions and opportunities in enterprises.

• Strong understanding of entrepreneurship for economic and social outcomes, the MSME sector in Kenya, East and Central Africa region.

• Demonstrated experience managing risks, controls, compliance requirements, and governance processes within donor-funded, financial services, or development environments.

• Experience supporting growth-oriented enterprises to improve competitiveness, access markets, attract finance, and scale operations will be an added advantage.

• Experience designing and implementing entrepreneurship, startup, innovation, youth employment, or future skills programs will be an added advantage.

• Master’s degree in; Entrepreneurship/Development Finance/Economics/Development studies & related business fields.

• Professional certification in Project Management, Enterprise Development, Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneurship Development, or related field.

• Mandatory Certification in ILO Start & Improve Your Business (SIYB).

• Certifications such as IFC Business Edge, UNCTAD Empretec, PMP, PRINCE2, Agile Project Management, or equivalent will be an added advantage.

• PhD in a relevant field will be an added advantage.

• Minimum 5 years' progressive experience in enterprise development, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, or related program management.

• Proven experience leading complex programs, partnerships, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams, delivering measurable business, development, or financial inclusion outcomes.

• Experience leveraging technology, digital platforms, data, or innovation to improve program effectiveness and scale.

• Familiarity with innovation, digitalization and demonstra