8,274 Project Director jobs in Kenya

Contract type:

Independent contractor

Project duration:

30 months

Location

: Remote, West or East Africa base preferred

Start date

: Immediate

Remuneration

: Competitive 

Deadline for Applications:

Tuesday 7 October 2025, 5PM GMT 

Candidates should send their CV, References and LinkedIn Profile to:

 

Kindly note that not all candidates may receive a response due to resource constraints.

SUMMARY

The
African Crowdfunding Association

(ACfA) is a pan African non-profit organisation based in Cape Town. Its mission is to advance regulations for securities-based crowdfunding in Africa. In partnership with the
Mastercard Foundation

and
MEDA

, ACfA is supporting several financial market regulators in establishing regulatory frameworks for investment crowdfunding over a three-year period. 

This work forms part of a broader incubation initiative of the
Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund

to boost the domiciliation of funds and investment vehicles in African jurisdictions. This will unlock new SME financing pathways notably through
mobilising local currency capital from individual investors in Africa and the diaspora.

ACfA is seeking a
Senior Project Manager

,
Stakeholder Engagement

to manage the roll-out of technical assistance and private sector stakeholder engagement in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and the WAEMU region. It is strongly preferred that candidates are bilingual English - French. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who understands the challenges of early-stage investing in Africa and is willing to play a strategic role in building an enabling policy and regulatory environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Working closely with the Director, Regulations and the incubation initiative's Domiciliation team, the Senior Project Manager will play an essential role in the success of this initiative and its impact on women and youth. Responsibilities include and are not limited to:

High level stakeholder management

• Coordinate all virtual and in-country engagements with national and regional financial market regulatory authorities, government agencies and regional regulatory working groups, liaising directly with CEOs and senior staff.
• Coordinate and engage adjacent entities such as national and regional industry associations, investor networks and FinTech associations.
• Engage stakeholders including regulatory authorities, industry bodies and networks in key diaspora markets as well as peer markets in Asia.
• Assist with the identification and mapping of private sector stakeholders in each jurisdiction, from local investment vehicle leaders to technology providers in the crowdfunding value chain.
• Collaborate closely with the Mastercard Foundation, MEDA and the Domiciliation team to align on in-country roll-outs, events and high level policy and advocacy engagements.
• Coordinate and convene the Pan African Consultative Forum on Investments Crowdfunding (PACFIC) as part of ACfA's systems change approach to regulatory design and harmonisation.

Regulatory project management

• Map internal regulatory processes and workplans - from initial drafts to final publication and internal approvals - for each national and regional financial market authority in collaboration with their staff.
• Coordinate workstreams with partnering law firms and legal experts within the incubation initiative and the PACIFC with particular regard to supporting private sector adoption of the regulations.
• Coordinate the delivery of ACfA's virtual and in-person Technical Assistance and Capacity building sessions.
• Map and coordinate processes for regional and bilateral regulatory harmonisation in collaboration with regional bodies.
• Identify and mitigate risks to implementation and ensure effective use of grant funds over the period.

Research and Communications

• Assist the Director, Regulations with ad-hoc legal and regulatory research needs.
• Synthesize research and produce presentations using Canva or Powerpoint.
• Work closely with the incubation initiative's communications team to draft and publish communications for different stakeholder groups.
• Coordinate and oversee ad-hoc research projects undertaken by junior staff.

Team management and Reporting

• Support one or two junior team members and/or interns with research assignments and tasks.
• Compile monthly updates and quarterly progress reports.
• Compile simple MERL frameworks, maintain risk management logs and a basic GANTT chart.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & QUALITIES

• Balances visionary and big-picture thinking with practical steps.
• Works effectively without constant supervision, a traditional "boss" or middle management.
• Highly reliable and consistent, demonstrating follow-through and responsibility for "closing loops".
• Builds own systems to manage tasks, deadlines and information.
• Strong planning skills with the ability to think several steps ahead and proactively manage risks.
• Adjusts communication style to different audiences thanks to a strong command of language.
• Manages stress and pressure with calmness and self-regulation.
• Comfortable with direct communication as well as giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Comfortable working in evolving, complex and ambiguous environments.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A Masters Degree in Law, Finance, Political Science, Communications or related field.
• Excellent written and spoken English and full professional proficiency in French (bilingual preferred).
• At least 10 years of professional experience, of which 7 in a project management role.
• Previous role(s) in the African investment industry and early-stage finance ecosystems.
• Demonstrable experience working with public and private sector stakeholders in Africa.
• Experience managing international projects across time zones and within multi-cultural contexts.
• Prior experience with financial market regulations, company law, fund management is preferred.

WAYS OF WORKING

• ACfA has a flat organisational structure with a team of four.
• We value direct communication, openness to individual identities, respect for personal boundaries and participation in consensus-building.
• While overall responsibility for project execution lies with the Acting CEO and Director of Regulations, our purpose-driven team works with a high degree of individual autonomy and self-management.
• Our team collaborates remotely using Slack, Carbon Voice, Zoom, Google Workspace, Canva, Sharepoint and other software.
• A fully equipped office is available for candidates based in Cape Town and for team off-sites.
• It is essential that candidates are equipped with a permanent, reliable internet connection, laptop and smartphone.
• Travel within Africa (10%-20% of time) and a valid passport is essential.

Candidates should send their CV, References and LinkedIn Profile to:

 

Applications via LinkedIn will also be accepted.

Please note that our team may not have capacity to respond to all applicants and we apologise in advance for this.

• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables that support business objectives in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, resource allocation, and budgets.
• Manage project execution, tracking progress against the plan and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Lead and motivate cross-functional project teams, fostering a collaborative and productive remote work environment.
• Conduct regular project status meetings and provide timely reports to stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and issues, developing mitigation strategies.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure quality control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee vendor management and third-party relationships.
• Close out projects, conduct post-project evaluations, and identify lessons learned.
• Stay current with project management best practices and emerging methodologies.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field. PMP or similar certification is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Jira, Microsoft Project).
• Strong understanding of Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, essential for remote success.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and prioritize effectively in a remote setting.
• Proficiency in developing project documentation and reports.

• Develop and execute strategic operational plans aligned with the company's overall vision and goals.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across various departments, ensuring seamless execution and efficiency.
• Implement and refine operational processes to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Manage budgets, P&L, and financial performance for operational departments.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of operational managers and staff.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and foster a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor operational performance against targets.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to set strategic direction and make key business decisions.
• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders, suppliers, and partners.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Lead the implementation of new technologies and systems to improve operational capabilities.
• Develop and maintain operational policies and procedures.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify new business opportunities.
• Oversee resource allocation and optimize the utilization of company assets.

• Extensive experience in senior management roles, with a focus on operations, strategy, and business development.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing teams.
• Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, and P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to drive operational efficiency and implement process improvements.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience in managing remote teams and operations is essential.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Proficiency in relevant business software and management tools.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and evolving business environment.
• Experience in (mention a relevant industry if applicable, e.g., technology, finance, manufacturing) is a plus.

• Develop and execute comprehensive operational strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Analyze current operational processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement process improvements.
• Lead major change management initiatives and ensure successful adoption of new operational frameworks.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define operational goals and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Evaluate and recommend technology solutions to optimize operational workflows.
• Develop and manage operational budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and resource optimization.
• Conduct feasibility studies and business case development for new operational initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the organization.
• Oversee risk management and develop mitigation strategies for operational challenges.
• Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to operational teams.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in operations management and strategic planning, with a significant focus on driving operational improvements.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing complex operational strategies.
• Expertise in process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven leadership and change management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in managing large-scale projects and cross-functional teams in a remote setting.
• Proficiency in operational analysis tools and ERP systems.

• Develop and execute strategic operational plans to achieve business goals and objectives.
• Oversee and manage day-to-day operations across various departments, ensuring seamless workflow and resource optimization.
• Implement and refine operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive operational improvements and innovation.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics, reporting on progress and identifying areas for intervention.
• Manage budgets and financial resources allocated to operational activities.
• Identify and implement technology solutions to streamline operations and improve data management.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, partners, and clients.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations, safety standards, and quality protocols.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability within the operations team.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
• Oversee project management for key operational initiatives, ensuring timely and successful completion.
• Mentor and develop direct reports, fostering a high-performance team environment.

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management, strategic planning, or a related leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing operational strategies that drive business growth and profitability.
• Strong understanding of business process management, supply chain logistics, and project management methodologies.
• Proficiency in utilizing data analytics and performance metrics to drive decision-making.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams in a remote environment.
• Experience with ERP systems and other relevant business management software.
• Ability to think strategically and translate vision into actionable plans.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets.

• Develop and implement strategic operational plans to achieve business objectives.
• Analyze current business processes and identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency gains.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the design and execution of operational improvement projects.
• Develop and implement performance metrics and KPIs to monitor operational effectiveness.
• Oversee budget development and management for operational initiatives.
• Drive the adoption of new technologies and best practices across the organization.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to align operational strategies with business goals.
• Manage complex, large-scale projects from conception to completion.
• Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to operational leaders and teams.
• Ensure alignment between operational capabilities and market demands.
• Communicate strategic plans and progress effectively to all stakeholders.
• Identify and assess operational risks and develop mitigation strategies.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in operations management and strategic planning.
• Proven track record of successfully leading transformational operational initiatives.
• Extensive experience in business process re-engineering and change management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and motivational abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large budgets and complex projects.
• Experience in diverse industries or business functions is a plus.
• Ability to thrive in a remote work environment and lead distributed teams effectively.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to execution.