AD, Deputy Head Kenya, Gov Relations

Job Purpose:

The Associate Director, Deputy Head of Kenya for Government Relations will provide critical support to the Managing Director for the Sub-Saharan Africa region in their role as Deputy Head of Kenya, ensuring the successful delivery of the country strategy, achievement of the Bank’s annual targets, and promotion of key initiatives that drive the Bank’s impact and growth in Kenya. This position plays a central role in managing high-level relationships with key government stakeholders, international partners, and the broader public sector. The Deputy Head will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to identify and facilitate policy proposals, address business environment challenges, and explore new investment opportunities in Kenya. Additionally, the Deputy Head will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Resident Office, ensuring the efficient management of resources, staff, and budgets to support the Bank’s objectives. A key responsibility of the Deputy Head will be to effectively communicate the EBRD’s priorities and objectives to the Kenyan government, national agencies, and regional and local authorities, ensuring the Bank’s strategic goals are well understood and supported by key stakeholders. The Deputy Head will also act as a senior representative of the Bank in Kenya, engaging with the international community, civil society, and the media to enhance the EBRD's visibility and reputation. The Deputy Head will proactively advocate for the Bank’s priorities, support policy engagement and national-level implementation of policy initiatives and position the EBRD as a key partner in Kenya’s sustainable and inclusive economic development. This role will work in close collaboration with the Regional Policy Lead to ensure that Kenya’s policy priorities are aligned with the country strategy and broader regional priorities and to drive the successful implementation of policy initiatives. The Deputy Head will serve as the Bank’s primary representative in Kenya, fostering key relationships and advocating for the Bank’s priorities, while relying on the Regional Policy Lead to oversee the policy agenda, drive technical cooperation, and lead the development and implementation of policy reforms.

The Deputy Head will also work closely with sector banking and policy teams, and other support units within the Bank to design and implement initiatives that drive the Bank’s objectives and projects. The role will focus on identifying and addressing key challenges in Kenya’s business environment, particularly in sectors critical to the country’s competitiveness and growth. By engaging with private sector companies, business associations, and other stakeholders, the Deputy Head will also help unlock new and innovative investment opportunities for the Bank, with high impact potential and a strong demonstration effect.

In addition, the Deputy Head will play a central role in overseeing the administrative and budgetary functions of the Resident Office. Acting as the line manager to the Office Manager, who oversees a team of 10 staff members, the Deputy Head will ensure the efficient operation of the office, including the management of resources, budget allocations, and staff coordination. This involves supporting the office’s operational processes, ensuring the alignment of budgetary priorities with strategic goals, and driving effective and efficient management practices across all office functions.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Oversight

•           Support the Managing Director in their role as Head of Kenya, ensuring the effective implementation of the country strategy and the achievement of annual targets.

•           In close coordination with the Regional Policy Lead, provide strategic oversight and guidance to drive the origination and execution of the Bank’s policy initiatives and programmes, and investment projects, ensuring their impact and alignment with the Bank’s mission and Kenya’s development priorities.

•           Take joint responsibility with the Managing Director, SSA, other Deputy Heads of Kenya in Nairobi  and relevant Regional Sector Heads, for delivery of the Kenya Score Card.

•           Senior point of contact with sector clients with responsibility to develop new business in close coordination with sector Directors, regional sector leads and sector bankers and in line with Country Strategy and business plan priorities.

•           Oversee the Resident Office’s administrative and budgetary affairs, ensuring effective resource management, operational efficiency, and a well-functioning office environment.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

•           Act as the primary representative of the EBRD in Kenya, managing high-level relationships with government stakeholders, national agencies, regional and local authorities, and the international community to strengthen the Bank’s strategic engagement and influence.

•           Contribute to the coordination of the Bank’s responses to national and regional policy developments, ensuring alignment with EBRD priorities and maintaining strong visibility and credibility at the national level.

•           The Deputy Head will create an optimal environment for the Regional Policy Lead to conduct policy dialogue and lead efforts on reform and technical cooperation. While the Deputy Head will serve as the primary liaison for relationship-building in Kenya the Regional Policy Lead will manage the substance of the policy dialogue and drive the technical aspects of policy implementation.

•           Represent the Bank in engagements with business associations, civil society, and the media, reinforcing the EBRD’s reputation and role as a key development partner in Kenya.

•           Advocate for the EBRD’s mission in promoting economic transition, sustainability, and private sector development by attending and speaking at external forums, ensuring the Bank’s voice remains influential in shaping the Kenyan policy and investment landscape.

Operational Management

•           Work closely with the Regional Policy Lead to support the Managing Director / Head of Kenya in ensuring effective prioritisation and adequate resourcing and execution of key policy initiatives and related technical assistance.

•           Also work closely with the Regional Policy Lead on cross-border regulatory issues affecting Kenya and the wider region and to ensure that country-specific advocacy efforts complement regional policy initiatives.

•           In close cooperation with Regional Policy Lead, track reform efforts and policy dialogue initiatives led by other IFIs/DFIs, advising Bank management on coordination and collaboration opportunities.

•           Collaborate with sector banking and policy teams, and other support units to develop and propose policy solutions that enhance the business climate and identify new investment opportunities for the Bank.

•           Engage with senior management across the Bank to enhance coordination between sectors and units, maximising synergies and the efficiency of policy dialogues and investment project outcomes.

•           Play an active role in fundraising for policy and project-related technical assistance and blended finance, working in close cooperation with the Donor Partnerships Unit to secure necessary funding resources in support of the Bank’s activities.

•           Prepare and review internal and external documents, ensuring high-quality briefings and reports for Bank management.

•           Organise and coordinate visits by senior Bank officials, managing meetings, logistics, and stakeholder engagements to ensure seamless execution.

•           Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Resident Office, ensuring effective resource management, staff supervision, and budget oversight while fostering a high-performance culture and operational excellence.

Risk & Compliance Management

•           Identify and mitigate risks related to the Bank’s operations and activities in Kenya, including through the regular Operational Risk Monitoring function, ensuring that potential risks are addressed proactively.

•           Ensure compliance with local regulations, EBRD’s operational guidelines, and international best practices across all country activities under their responsibility, safeguarding the Bank’s interests and reputation.

•           Enforce adherence to EBRD’s corporate procurement rules, ensuring that all corporate procurement activities within the country are conducted in accordance with established procedures.

Team Leadership & Development

•           Support the SSA Managing Director / Head of Kenya in leading and mentoring a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

•           Promote professional development, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement within the team and the Resident Office.

•           Oversee the recruitment, training, and retention of top-tier talent in alignment with organisational goals.

•           Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are always upheld.

•           Serve as the primary line manager to the Office Manager, overseeing the performance of the Resident Office administrative staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

•           Strong understanding of the country’s political, economic, and regulatory landscape, with deep insight into local market dynamics and the ability to understand complex governmental and business dynamics in real time.

•           Proven experience in managing high-level relationships across government, public sector institutions, business communities, and the international community.

•           Diplomatic and skilled in managing sensitive political issues to maintain constructive relationships and achieve strategic goals.

•           Extensive knowledge of the EBRD’s operational guidelines, policies, and best practices, particularly in relation to country strategy delivery, project implementation, and risk management.

•           In-depth knowledge of procurement processes and compliance with corporate procurement rules, ensuring transparent and efficient management of procurement activities.

•           Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the Bank at the highest levels, engaging effectively with government stakeholders, business leaders, civil society, and the media, while influencing decisions and driving strategic outcomes.

•           Strong policy and advocacy skills, capable of identifying, developing, and advancing policy initiatives that drive positive change in key sectors critical to Kenya’s competitiveness and economic growth.

•           Strong analytical skills to evaluate and address a wide array of challenges and opportunities related to initiatives and projects, enabling informed decision-making and the development of effective, impactful solutions.

•           Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, including through effective operational risk monitoring and management within a complex operational environment.

•           Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with a strong capacity to manage competing priorities and deliver results under pressure.

•           Capacity to drive and influence teams internally, fostering collaboration and aligning efforts to support the achievement of strategic objectives, both through direct leadership and by leveraging influence across the organisation.

•           Ability to lead, manage, and develop teams, with strong coaching, mentoring, and leadership skills to cultivate a high-performance culture and achieve collective goals.

•           Integrity and ethical conduct, serving as a role model for the Bank’s core values and behavioural competencies, ensuring the highest standards of professional behaviour across all activities.

•           Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Kiswahili is highly desirable.

Education & Experience:

•           Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, finance, international relations, or a related field. A higher degree in a similar discipline is desirable.

•           Extensive experience in international or national economic development, with a proven track record in managing complex projects, addressing policy issues, and navigating political, economic, and regulatory environments, particularly within the Kenya context.

•           Significant proven experience in engaging with senior government officials, business leaders, civil society, and international stakeholders, successfully driving policy change and business development outcomes.

•           Experience in managing risk and compliance, including overseeing procurement processes and ensuring adherence to organisational and regulatory standards.

•           Substantial experience in strategic leadership and management, with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams in complex environments, driving performance, and fostering development within diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to achieve organizational goals.

•           Experience in leadership and people management, including overseeing recruitment, training, performance management, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within teams.

•           Demonstrated experience in managing administrative functions and budgetary processes to ensure efficient resource allocation and operational effectiveness.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD 

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

The EBRD environment provides you with: 

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in. 
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).