Program Innovation Manager (Pilots)

ABOUT INKOMOKO

Inkomoko supports entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in order to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and help communities thrive.

In 2025, Inkomoko was listed by the Financial Times as the 8th fastest-growing company in Africa, supporting entrepreneurs across East and Central Africa to grow thriving businesses and build inclusive, resilient economies.

Founded in 2012, Inkomoko has worked with more than 100,000 entrepreneurs, including thousands of refugee entrepreneurs. Inkomoko provides a combination of training, consulting, access to finance, and market-level systems change. We are the largest investor to refugee entrepreneurs in Africa.

Inkomoko has 800+ staff in 45 offices across Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Through Inkomoko’s 2030 strategic plan, we are adding 3 additional countries to serve more than 550,000 entrepreneurs and growing our $30M loan fund to impact 7M lives.

INKOMOKO VALUES

All staff at Inkomoko are connected to a shared set of organizational values:

• Purpose: be solutions-oriented, produce high-quality work, and be a global leader.
• Achievement: push yourself to reach beyond what you previously thought possible.
• Improvement: be humble, engage in continuous growth through open & accurate feedback
• Bravery: willing to take risks, create a safe space for others, be compassionate, and inclusive.
• We Eat Goat: we celebrate success and support each other in hard times. We do this work together in the spirit of turikumwe, tuko pamoja, abren nen, Kula na sawa, On est ensemble.

Inkomoko is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Refugees, women, and persons who reflect the diverse communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Innovation Manager (Pilots) is responsible for managing innovation pilots and cross-functional projects aimed at improving Inkomoko’s service delivery. This includes leading the design, testing, and refinement of tools and methodologies, with a particular emphasis on digital solutions. The Program Innovation & Design Manager will work across departments to design experiments, coordinate implementation, monitor impact, and generate insights that inform strategic decisions.

The ideal candidate is a creative, analytical, and collaborative professional with strong technical skills and a passion for continuous improvement and innovation. They are curious, adaptable, and attentive listeners who thrive in cross-functional settings. Success in this role requires the ability to influence and collaborate across teams. The role is open to candidates based in any of our countries of operations: Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan & Chad and will be reporting to the Head of Program Innovation at Inkomoko.

Key Responsibilities:

Project and Pilot Leadership

• Lead cross-functional innovation projects, from design through pilot implementation, with a focus on digitalization and emerging client needs.
• Manage timelines, resources, and stakeholders.
• Develop and test new tools and methodologies to improve client outcomes.
• Ensure consistent follow-through and cross-departmental support to successfully implement innovation projects.
• Support the integration of pilot outcomes and insights, working with relevant departments to review and adapt procedures.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Work closely with Business Growth Services, Investments, MERL, IT, and other departments to ensure successful project execution.
• Align innovation initiatives with Inkomoko’s strategic goals and departmental priorities to promote outcomes-driven collaboration.
• Build relationships and influence across teams to foster ownership, alignment, and momentum for innovation projects.
• Provide flexible cross-functional support to Learning initiatives as needed - including contributing to workshops, materials, and capacity-building

Research & Evaluation

• Conduct exploratory research on client needs, external innovations, trends, and tools to inform potential pilots.
• Define success metrics and monitor pilot performance.
• Analyze results and data to generate insights and suggest improvements for project effectiveness.
• Conduct feedback loops and iterate based on findings.

Communication and Reporting

• Prepare reports summarizing pilot activities, results, and recommendations.
• Synthesize data and lessons learned into actionable insights to inform decision-making and future initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of templates, manuals, and systems that increase operational efficiency.
• Contribute to donor updates and the dissemination of learning.

Requirements

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

They embody Inkomoko’s core values, build inclusive and safe learning environments, and continuously seek feedback and insights to improve impact. Practicing “radical candor”, they promote a culture of learning, cross-functional teamwork, and capacity building.

In addition, we are looking for someone with:

• 5+ years of experience in project management and program innovation (must have)
• University degree (Master's or equivalent)
• Proven experience managing pilots in a fast-growing NGO or social enterprise.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize data and insights.
• Adaptability to dynamic environments, with a results-driven mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in French, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Somali, or Swahili is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Familiarity with design thinking, human centered design (HCD), user research methodologies, or agile methodology.
• Experience collaborating in multicultural, multi-country teams.
• Knowledge of economic development and displaced populations is an asset.
• Proficient in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and other data and design tools.

Key Competencies:

We are looking for someone who:

• Leads Teams - Aligns the team with common objectives derived from the organizational strategy, fosters a shared mindset, and celebrates wins while recognizing team efforts.
• Builds Trust - Holds self and others accountable by clearly outlining responsibilities, tracking results, delegating effectively, building independence, demonstrating care for others, and being consistent in actions.
• Relationship Management - Establishes and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and community leaders, while anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Uses their Technical expertise to coach and guide staff to meet and exceed expectations.

Benefits

WHAT YOU’LL GET

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

• Competitive salary, and potential Performance-based bonus
• Incredible company culture, with opportunities for learning and growth
• Diverse colleagues across the region, and policies that demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion
• Ability to make a significant social impact to your community
• Health insurance for self and family
• Staff savings and provident fund, negotiated bank rates for long-term employees
• Generous annual leave, parental leave, and sabbatical options.

TO APPLY

If you’re excited about this role, please submit your application through the jobs portal (1 page for the cover letter). Tell us about what you’ll bring to this growing company.

DEADLINE: 05th April 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, please apply as soon as possible!

Inkomoko is committed to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. As we seek to reflect the communities we serve, refugees and women are strongly encouraged to apply. As a company we have policies that ensure fair treatment in the application process.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is conditional upon successful background checks and other verification as needed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and background screening checks. Inkomoko also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual misconduct, fraud, or abuse. By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.