Launched in 2008 by the Founder of Meltwater, Jorn Lyseggen, and recognized as one of Fast Company's "Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Africa", The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is the launching point for tomorrow’s globally successful tech entrepreneurs. MEST is an Africa-wide technology entrepreneur training program, internal seed fund, and network of hubs offering incubation for technology startups in Africa.

MEST provides critical skills training, funding, and support in software development, business, and communications to Africa’s tech entrepreneurs. Hubs are located in Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Nairobi, Kenya. MEST has trained over 400 aspiring entrepreneurs in tech, business, and communications and welcomed expertise from 50+ fellows from across the world, invested in over 40 seed-stage startups, and is now scaling up alongside its portfolio as the first truly Pan-African community of its kind. MEST is funded by the Meltwater Foundation, the non-profit arm of Meltwater, a global leader in media intelligence and Outside Insight. MEST is seeking a Chief Technology Officer to join their leadership team.

Purpose:

You will nurture MEST's entrepreneurs in training and portfolio companies with the right technology support, and provide the consulting division at MEST with strategic support.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide technical strategy and play a leading role in the planning and execution of ongoing efforts for the organization based on the company’s long-term priorities and strategies to drive effective scaling of portfolio companies and ensure optimal utilization of resources within budget
• Work directly with the entrepreneurs in training in their capstones and provide technological strategy + support to the entrepreneurs in training
• Collaborate closely with portfolio companies to inform, influence & support development of minimum product viable and then achieve product market fit. Oversee the technical decisions, technology choices and architecture of these companies effectively balancing short-term impact with long-term transformation
• Drive and partner in the development of core metrics, analytics framework, and data management processes that facilitate high quality data and insights
• Work directly with the consultancy team to support projects which the MEST Consultancy team has to execute
   

Experience:

• BSc/BA in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field; Masters/MBA or other relevant graduate degree is a plus
• Experience as a CTO or similar leadership role for at least 5+ years. Experience sizeable teams, with experience managing through other senior leaders is a plus
• At least 5 (five) years of successfully scaling companies ideally on the African continent
• A proven track record in developing and launching products into new markets

Technology Skills:

• Experience in working on professional design projects that include work with web/mobile applications that are both functional and appealing
• Deep understanding of Web, Mobile and API development and hands-on experience (Mandatory skills include: Javascript, React.js, React Native, Express.js, Node.js, MongoDB).
• Ability to design and work with multiple layers: the API, data storage & architecture, data retrieval
• Capable of and able to teach the development of front end website architecture and design of user interactions on web pages
• Ability to conduct technological analyses and research
• Ability to interpret site analytics to understand user struggles and drop off points and use such data to create designs that improve user experience. Apply your expertise in strategy, multi-sided system thinking, infra quality and stability, growth, risk & integrity to develop data-informed strategies

Characteristics:

• A self-propelled, intellectually curious continuous learner who keeps up with new tools, methodologies, and the industry and is unafraid to take on new challenges
• Strong people development skills and software project management skills
• Resourceful in terms of network and materials and provide advice, direction and suggestions to start-ups to enable them to scale and raise funding
• Solid problem-solving skills and willingness to do whatever it takes to support portfolio companies to grow
• The ability to be persuasive and influence start-ups to consider other approaches to their businesses
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to convey complex requirements in a clear, concise and credible manner
• Experience with the entrepreneurial and growth dynamics of start-ups
   

• Globally competitive salary

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) and the MEST Incubator program provide training, investment and mentoring for aspiring technology entrepreneurs with the goal of creating globally successful companies that create wealth and jobs locally in Africa.

Established in Ghana in 2008, MEST offers aspiring African entrepreneurs a fully sponsored a twelve month, intensive full-time program. Sourced from top graduates in from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire, 60 of these Entrepreneurs-In-Training (EITs) are selected each year and receive comprehensive training across the spectrum of skills required to build successful tech businesses, including computer programming, software development, product management, finance, marketing, sales and leadership best practices. To date, MEST has trained over 400 aspiring entrepreneurs, and invested in over 40 seed stage startups.

After completion of the program, the EITs have the opportunity to pitch a concept. Winning teams receive a seed round from the MEST incubator to pursue their idea.