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 Associate Product Manager to help us research, design, launch, and monitor several new product launch initiatives. The Associate Product Manager will be based in Nairobi with occasional travel within Kenya.
Responsibilities
The Associate Product Manager will directly report to the Product Manager – Services and support the design and implementation of several new products and services.
Activities for the Associate will include, but not necessarily be limited to:
Mobile Layaway Service
Monitoring and administering the registration of KickStart customers who are paying for their pumps through M-PESA
Analyzing participation and generating reports by Product, Dealer, Sales Rep, Territory, etc.
Farmer-to-Farmer Referral Service
Helping to design the levels of recognition and rewards, marketing collateral, operations, tracking system, etc.
Monitoring and analyzing the successes and challenges of the initial pilot
New Services
Conducting field research to assess the market potential for new services, such as “Facebook for Farmers,” dealer incentive programs, brokers/middlemen as mobile dealers, etc.
General Product Management
Building a KickStart customer segmentation and customer fact sheet based on analysis of our Hot Prospects database, Voice of the Farmer surveys, and Impact Monitoring data
Supporting the product management team and senior management team in ad hoc customer surveys and financial modeling
Driving the development and production of instructional videos for dealers and end-customers on how to install 2 of our newest irrigation pumps set to launch this year
Qualifications
Undergraduate degree with a strong academic record required. MBA preferred.
Minimum 3 years of work experience, preferably in product development or product marketing.
Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, especially in Excel.
Strong research, analytical, and financial modeling skills.
Ability to think strategically about complex issues and develop thoughtful recommendations and action plans.
Results/performance oriented – proven “self-starter”.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills – a complete team player.
Exceptional planning, organizational, and leadership capabilities.
Ability to work in a dynamic and unstructured environment.
Technical background, especially experience with mobile technology, highly preferred.
Fluency in English and Kiswahili required.
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), with the position in the subject line of your email to HR@kickstart.org by April 30, 2011.
