The Argidius Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable foundation that promotes the growth of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in order to improve the lives of the poor through increased income generation. Argidius aims to help entrepreneurs to build profitable businesses and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities. We do so by improving the effectiveness and reach of SME capacity development services such as accelerators, incubators, business coaching and management training; develop better linkages between bussiness development provision and access to finance; and, promote better ecosystems for SME support. 

We are convinced that inclusive economic growth is one of the primary drivers of change in low income countries. We believe that the development of SMEs is critical to achieve sustainable development. Businesses create employment and generate income, and are therefore key to reducing poverty.

Our work is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching. Human dignity and the rich potential embedded in every person are at the center of our values.

We work in partnership with Porticus, the international organization that provides strategic advice to the private charitable foundations of Brenninkmeijer family entrepreneurs (www.porticus.com). You can read more about Argidius on www.argidius.com.  

The Program Manager contributes to the development of projects and programs that aim for systemic change. The Program Manager is responsible for assessing the suitability of grant applications, developing, implementing and monitoring projects and programs, in alignment with the Argidius Strategic Implementation Plan.

The position requires regular travel in the region (East Africa, e.g. Tanzania, Uganda), occasional visits to Europe and close working relations with Argidius & Porticus colleagues.

This role is based in the Porticus Africa office in Nairobi and reporting to the Argidius Executive Director who is based in the United Kingdom.

Key responsibilities

• Strategy and Program Development:

• Focuses on strategic impact / Understands the direction of the organization to achieve impact in thematic areas
• Develops new programs at country and regional level in cooperation with the Argidius team and external stakeholders
• Conducts progress reviews
• Is a strong networker, takes partners’ relationships to the next level to shape future programming
• Tracks implementation of budget as the year progresses to meet expectations

• Program Implementation and Grant Management
  • Builds collaborative partnerships
  • Networks with alliances, foundations and public stakeholders to establish working relationships
• • Complies with processes and considers them as a precondition for the effectiveness and reputation of the organization, Ensures compliance to Porticus due diligence and protection policies
  • Creates opportunities for exchange and facilitates cooperation between stakeholders across geographies and programs

• Results, Learnings, and Recommendations
  • Conducts and reviews progress reports and impact evaluations and monitors use of grant funds
  • Evaluates program and project impact, shares result internally and externally and applies learning for course-correction and future programs

Note: The essential functions of the position are not limited to the tasks listed above and may include other duties as assigned.

Experience and requirements

• Content knowledge – minimum of three years’ exposure to enterprise and/or livelihood development and/or impact investing;
• Analytical mind-set; grant management and/or investment experience – either as a recipient or a maker;
• Ability to assess and conduct due diligence on organizations (including finance) and teams within an overarching programmatic context;
• Familiarity with:
  • the importance of capacity building, talent, finance and market access for successfully enabling small and growing businesses;
  • the measurement, monitoring and evaluation of impact, and understandings of sustainability (both institutional and social/environmental);

• Solid knowledge of Uganda, Tanzania and/or Kenya;
• Connectivity to enterprise development ecosystem in those countries, and ideally brings his/her own network;
• Excellent English writing and oral communication skills; good command of local language(s);
• Good computer skills, including office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Salesforce etc.).

• We will screen all applications on an ongoing basis.
• We reserve the right to unpublish the vacancy
• An (online) assessment can be part of the recruitment process
• Reference checks are part of the final hiring procedure

Argidius enjoys a high reputation in the field of enterprise development especially in its ability to fund flexibly and to create actionable knowledge to enhance effectiveness in its field. It has a small, engaging team that allows for both individual initiative and contribution and close collaboration with accomplished, friendly colleagues. It has a fascinating range of partners offering great learning opportunities and inspiring engagement with effective interventions and collaborating businesses.