Sokowatch is transforming communities across Africa by revolutionizing access to essential goods and services. By connecting small merchants to the digital economy, Sokowatch fixes inefficient supply chains and provides services previously unavailable to informal businesses. Sokowatch aims to provide ​everything a retailer needs, no wholesalers or banks necessary​.

Thousands of retailers across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda use Sokowatch's mobile ordering and delivery platform to receive the goods they need as quickly and cheaply as possible while also accessing growth financing for the first time. Sokowatch is looking to grow its team with highly talented and motivated employees who are excited to work in a fast-paced and dynamic startup environment.

Sokowatch is looking for an exceptional leader who is excited about unlocking the potential of the informal economy and inspired by its mission to empower the local merchants responsible for over $600 billion of sales across Africa every year. This leader will develop a world class customer experience with regards to accessing financial services that enhance Sokowatch’s mission of being the #1 partner for its customers. You are a proven leader with extensive startup and business experience in Africa who can work across functions to drive improvements across any aspect of the business necessary.

Locations​:

Initial onboarding will take place in Nairobi, though the role can eventually be based in any of Sokowatch's current markets below with travel expected at least 30% of the time:

• Kenya (Nairobi)
• Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
• Rwanda (Kigali)
• Uganda (Kampala)

Role Responsibilities

• Develop the financial services strategy (working capital financing, asset financing, insurance, etc.)
• Manage and grow Sokowatch’s financial services while ensuring a good quality portfolio that manages risk
• Full P&L ownership of Sokowatch’s Financial Services Business Unit
• Ensure regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions that Sokowatch operates in
• Develop and implement SOPs for the financial services department
• Develop and manage any third party relationships to enhance financial services opportunities
• Ensure customers are educated about the financial services opportunities available through Sokowatch
• Own the target setting and performance accountability for the financial services department
• Team development and management to maximize on efficiency and productivity
• Recommend best practices based on past experience, research, frameworks, design patterns, and visionary thinking
• Use stakeholder feedback to inform necessary improvements and adjustments to overall strategy

• 5+ years experience in financial services, with focus in micro-lending preferred
• Experience in startups and/or entrepreneurial experience
• Extensive experience managing multi-country teams in Africa and collaborating across departments
• Strong financial background
• Strong business acumen
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think outside the box
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• French and Swahili language abilities a plus

• Globally competitive salary

Sokowatch is transforming communities across Africa by revolutionizing access to essential goods and services. By connecting small shops to the digital economy, we fix inefficient supply chains and provide services that were previously unavailable. Sokowatch aims to provide everything a retailer needs, no wholesalers or banks necessary.

Thousands of retailers across Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda use Sokowatch's mobile ordering and delivery service to receive the goods they need as quickly and cheaply as possible while also accessing growth financing for the first time.