POSITION: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LOCATION: NAIROBI, KENYA

REPORTING TO: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our client in the microfinance banking sector, Juhudi Kilimo, is seeking a transformational and visionary leader to join their dynamic team as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). We are looking for a leader with the courage to challenge convention and the insight to redefine industry norms. One who is disciplined in execution, a strategist who sees beyond the current status quo and charts new paths for sustainable growth and competitive advantage. One with a strong capacity for innovation, a willingness to take calculated risks and the strength to navigate complex change and be at the fore front of transformation in the industry.

Juhudi Kilimo is a Kenyan credit only microfinance institution focused on supporting smallholder farmers and micro-enterprises. Their mission centers on improving the livelihoods and resilience of rural small holder farmers and micro entrepreneurs by providing wealth creating financial solutions while enhancing shareholder value.

JOB PURPOSE

The role is responsible for positioning Juhudi Kilimo as a market leader in the microfinance industry by delivering sustainable business growth through innovation and transformative culture while ensuring all stakeholders’ needs are met.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership, Turnaround Expertise and Governance

• Lead business transformation and turnaround, translating strategy into execution for profitability, risk management and growth.
• Reignite and drive the growth strategy by deepening customer engagement, product innovation and partnerships across the agricultural value chain.
• Balance the social impact pillar with financial sustainability through growth.
• Enhance good governance through adoption of best practices while ensuring transparent and compliant reporting to the board.

Cultural Leadership

• Build and inspire a high performing, value driven leadership team that fosters collaboration, ownership and accountability.
• Drive talent management through coaching, development and succession planning.
• Instill robust process discipline throughout the organization and reinforce a performance-based culture.
• Provide oversight and coordinate all core functions, including finance, compliance, risk, credit, HR, and operations.

Technology, Innovation, and Growth Orientation

• Leverage technology and data analytics to scale operations, enhance customer experience, and improve efficiency.
• Implement data-driven credit models and automation to strengthen risk management and customer experience.
• Lead development of new business lines and digital products, transitioning from traditional lending models to platform based financial services while expanding markets and partnerships.

Financial and Capital Management Acumen

• Ensure rigorous liquidity, FX, and balance-sheet management to safeguard financial stability and regulatory compliance.
• Guide capital allocation and investment decisions in alignment with institutional resilience.
• Oversee capital structuring and investor engagement across local and international markets, including debt and equity relationships.

Stakeholder and Partnership Management

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with impact investors, regulators, DFIs, local lenders, strategic partners, and the broader ecosystem.
• Promote the organizational mission, ethical leadership, transparency, and responsible business practices.
• Strengthen the organisation’s corporate image and brand positioning through proactive stakeholders’ engagement locally and internationally.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Strategy, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Management, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in an executive/senior role in business management in East Africa with direct exposure to microfinance or comparable markets (Banking, Saccos, Fintech, digital lending & others).
• Strong leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proven record of business transformation, turnaround and operations stabilization.
• Experience in driving organizational effectiveness and supporting teams through periods of change.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams that deliver strong results.
• Ability to implement data-driven credit models.
• Expertise in credit risk management (reducing PAR and NPLs).
• Practical experience in automation and digitalization of microfinance systems and customer channels.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget oversight and financial decision-making.
• Experience with capital structuring, investor relations, and engaging local and international debt and equity providers.
• Familiarity with group lending models, individual lending models, and microfinance regulations.
• Experience managing stakeholders incl. boards, regulators, investors, lenders, customers, and community partners.
• Strong networks across microfinance, banking, DFIs, government, and the agricultural sector.
• Ability to work under pressure and navigate ambiguous environments.
• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical standards.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to engage rural farming communities for social and economic impact.

• Lead business transformation and turnaround, translating strategy into execution for profitability, risk management and growth.
• Reignite and drive the growth strategy by deepening customer engagement, product innovation and partnerships across the agricultural value chain.
• Balance the social impact pillar with financial sustainability through growth.
• Enhance good governance through adoption of best practices while ensuring transparent and compliant reporting to the board.
• Build and inspire a high performing, value driven leadership team that fosters collaboration, ownership and accountability.
• Drive talent management through coaching, development and succession planning.
• Instill robust process discipline throughout the organization and reinforce a performance-based culture.
• Provide oversight and coordinate all core functions, including finance, compliance, risk, credit, HR, and operations.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to scale operations, enhance customer experience, and improve efficiency.
• Implement data-driven credit models and automation to strengthen risk management and customer experience.
• Lead development of new business lines and digital products, transitioning from traditional lending models to platform based financial services while expanding markets and partnerships.
• Ensure rigorous liquidity, FX, and balance-sheet management to safeguard financial stability and regulatory compliance.
• Guide capital allocation and investment decisions in alignment with institutional resilience.
• Oversee capital structuring and investor engagement across local and international markets, including debt and equity relationships.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with impact investors, regulators, DFIs, local lenders, strategic partners, and the broader ecosystem.
• Promote the organizational mission, ethical leadership, transparency, and responsible business practices.
• Strengthen the organisation’s corporate image and brand positioning through proactive stakeholders’ engagement locally and internationally.

• Strong leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
• Proven record of business transformation, turnaround and operations stabilization.
• Experience in driving organizational effectiveness and supporting teams through periods of change.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams that deliver strong results.
• Ability to implement data-driven credit models.
• Expertise in credit risk management (reducing PAR and NPLs).
• Practical experience in automation and digitalization of microfinance systems and customer channels.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget oversight and financial decision-making.
• Experience with capital structuring, investor relations, and engaging local and international debt and equity providers.
• Familiarity with group lending models, individual lending models, and microfinance regulations.
• Experience managing stakeholders incl. boards, regulators, investors, lenders, customers, and community partners.
• Strong networks across microfinance, banking, DFIs, government, and the agricultural sector.
• Ability to work under pressure and navigate ambiguous environments.
• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical standards.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to engage rural farming communities for social and economic impact.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Strategy, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Management, or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting or related field.