Position Overview

Based in Kigali and under the hierarchical authority of the Team Leader, the Technical Lead will be responsible for leading the full technical implementation of Component 3 – Improving access to finance for innovative ventures, including women-led businesses, supporting the Digital Transformation and Green Transition.

The Technical Lead will work hand-in-hand with a dedicated Grant Manager, who will provide operational support in the design, allocation, management, and monitoring of grants to intermediary support organizations (ISOs).

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Strategic and Technical Management of Component 3 – Access to Finance

·       Define the strategic orientations, approaches, and methodologies of the access to finance component (SO3), in close collaboration with implementing partners (e.g. RVO, Smart Africa, Digital Africa, ESTDEV) and Expertise France

·       Lead the annual planning process for SO3, including the development and consolidation of the work plan and budget

·       Supervise and coordinate the implementation of activities under SO3, ensuring timely delivery, sound financial management, and adherence to procurement and reporting procedures.

·       Identify needs and lead the design and implementation of calls for proposals, recruitment of experts, and management of service providers under SO3

·       In collaboration with the Grant Manager, design and oversee the allocation, contracting and monitoring of grants to intermediary support organizations (such as incubators, accelerators, or ecosystem support organizations) that assist innovative micro and small enterprises in the region

·       Monitor grant implementation, including reviewing financial and technical reports, verifying supporting documents, and ensuring compliance with Expertise France procedures

·       Ensure close coordination with the Grant Manager, who will prove day-o-day support on operational aspects of grant management and compliance

Operational Implementation of Access to Finance Activities

·       Develop and roll out initiatives to improve access to finance for digital and green entrepreneurs, with a specific focus on women-led ventures and inclusive finance

·       Build and maintain a strong network of local and international stakeholders in the access to finance and entrepreneurship support ecosystem (investors, venture funds, business angels, accelerators, etc.)

·       Promote the visibility of SO3 by coordinating delegations and activities in major international and regional events (e.g. exhibitions, networking sessions, workshops)

·       Facilitate knowledge sharing, dissemination of good practices, and ecosystem-wide learning, including through awareness-raising campaigns and the promotion of project deliverables

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

·       Contribute to the design and execution of the project’s stakeholder engagement strategy, including its digital and social media components, in coordination with the EU Delegation’s communication guidelines

·       Support grant beneficiaries, public institutions, and entrepreneurial support organizations in implementing effective visibility and outreach strategies

·       Serve as a representative of the project in technical and public forums, ensuring coherent messaging and strategic positioning of SO3 activities

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Capitalization

·       Develop and implement, in collaboration with the M&E Manager, a robust system to monitor activities, assess performance indicators, and evaluate the impact of the component’s interventions.

·       Consolidate lessons learned and support capitalisation efforts to inform future programming and donor engagement.

Coordination and Partnership Management

·       Organise and facilitate regular coordination meetings between stakeholders involved in Components 1 and 3, including agenda setting, documentation, and follow-up on action points

·       Ensure fluid communication and information-sharing across stakeholders (PMU, SO leads, implementing partners, donors)

·       Support the Team Leader in managing relationships with European, African, and international partners relevant to the implementation of Components 1 and 3

·       Proactively identify and leverage synergies between Components 1 and 3, ensuring coherence across activities related to digital entrepreneurship, innovation, and access to finance