Role Overview

The Partnership Officer is a senior role responsible for building, managing, and extracting value from FOWEK’s external partnership ecosystem. The Partnership Officer will identify the right partners, build relationships, negotiate agreements, and ensure partnerships deliver tangible value for FOWEK and its member BMOs. The role will also contribute to generating new membership leads, as partner relationships can create opportunities to reach and engage new BMOs.

Key Responsibility Areas

Partnership Development & Acquisition

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective partners across relevant partner categories.
• Lead outreach, engagement, and relationship-building with priority partners, including government institutions and COMESA.
• Prepare concept notes, partnership proposals, and briefing documents for internal approval before advancing negotiations.
• Negotiate partnership terms and MoUs, ensuring FOWEK’s objectives are clearly defined and partner commitments are specific and measurable.
• Present partnership proposals to the Partnership Committee for review and approval.

Government & Regulatory Engagement

• Build and manage relationships with key Ministries, state agencies, and county governments relevant to women entrepreneurs.
• Identify and engage strategic regulators who can serve as gateways to multiple regulatory bodies.
• Secure FOWEK formal representation in relevant government and policy spaces, including focal point designations, advisory committees, and women-in-business policy forums.
• Develop a systematic approach to county government engagement, expanding FOWEK’s presence beyond Nairobi.

Strategic & Regional Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with development partners, private-sector organisations, financial institutions, foundations, corporates, Business Membership Organisations, and regional and international institutions.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities that provide funding, technical assistance, market access, capacity building, business linkages, advocacy opportunities, and other tangible benefits for FOWEK and its member BMOs.

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Business Management, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant professional qualification will be an added advantage.

Experience

Minimum 5 years’ experience in partnerships, stakeholder engagement, business development, or public/private sector relations, including experience working with or alongside NGOs, development partners, government, or private-sector organisations. Proven track record of negotiating and closing formal agreements, including MoUs, contracts, or partnership frameworks. Experience engaging at senior levels, including Permanent Secretaries, CEOs, development finance officers, or equivalent. Existing networks within Kenya’s government, private sector, or development ecosystem - this is non-negotiable. Familiarity with COMESA, COMFWB, or regional trade structures is a strong advantage. Experience working within or alongside women-focused organisations or the MSME ecosystem is an advantage.

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective partners across relevant partner categories.
• Lead outreach, engagement, and relationship-building with priority partners, including government institutions and COMESA.
• Prepare concept notes, partnership proposals, and briefing documents for internal approval before advancing negotiations.
• Negotiate partnership terms and MoUs, ensuring FOWEK’s objectives are clearly defined and partner commitments are specific and measurable.
• Present partnership proposals to the Partnership Committee for review and approval.
• Build and manage relationships with key Ministries, state agencies, and county governments relevant to women entrepreneurs.
• Identify and engage strategic regulators who can serve as gateways to multiple regulatory bodies.
• Secure FOWEK formal representation in relevant government and policy spaces, including focal point designations, advisory committees, and women-in-business policy forums.
• Develop a systematic approach to county government engagement, expanding FOWEK’s presence beyond Nairobi.
• Build and maintain relationships with development partners, private-sector organisations, financial institutions, foundations, corporates, Business Membership Organisations, and regional and international institutions.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities that provide funding, technical assistance, market access, capacity building, business linkages, advocacy opportunities, and other tangible benefits for FOWEK and its member BMOs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Business Management, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy or a related field.
• A Master’s degree or relevant professional qualification will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in partnerships, stakeholder engagement, business development, or public/private sector relations, including experience working with or alongside NGOs, development partners, government, or private-sector organisations.
• Proven track record of negotiating and closing formal agreements, including MoUs, contracts, or partnership frameworks.
• Experience engaging at senior levels, including Permanent Secretaries, CEOs, development finance officers, or equivalent.
• Existing networks within Kenya’s government, private sector, or development ecosystem - this is non-negotiable.
• Familiarity with COMESA, COMFWB, or regional trade structures is a strong advantage.
• Experience working within or alongside women-focused organisations or the MSME ecosystem is an advantage.