The Association of Startup and SME Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) is the premier national membership body uniting, representing and advocating for Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) — incubators, accelerators, tech hubs, investors and business development services — across Kenya and the wider East African region. Since 2018, ASSEK has grown into a nationwide network of over 200 ESOs, the vital backbone of entrepreneurial success that gives young ventures the mentorship, funding pipelines and corporate/international networks they need to thrive.
ASSEK is seeking a visionary, results-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead its Secretariat into its next chapter of growth — deepening its influence in policy circles, strengthening its local and regional chapters, and increasing its presence and visibility of the Kenyan entrepreneurial ecosystem on the global stage.This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned executive to shape the future of innovation, inclusion and sustainable job creation across Kenya and East Africa.
About ASSEK — The Five Pillars
- Policy & Advocacy: Driving the national entrepreneurship policy agenda with government entities (including the Kenya National Innovation Agency – KeNIA), development partners and investors, while setting ecosystem standards.
- Capacity Building: Facilitating business registration, compliance, digital transformation tools and operational frameworks that help ESOs scale their service delivery.
- Collaboration & Networking: Promoting cross-sectoral sharing of knowledge, data and best practices among members, academia and corporations — including through flagship events such as the ASSEK Annual Conference and Innovation Awards.
- Member Empowerment & Growth: Scouting for and unlocking funding, resource access and strategic partnerships for members and their clients.
- Internationalization: Positioning Kenya’s tech and innovation ecosystem globally and increasing the visibility of local startups to international VC networks.
Flagship initiatives include the ESO Empowerment Collective & Publicity Campaign, the Digital Mapping Platform tracking Kenya’s ESO landscape, and active engagement in national frameworks such as the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP).
Role Purpose
Reporting to the ASSEK Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer provides overall leadership and management of ASSEK, ensuring effective implementation of the ASSEK Strategic Plan 2025–2027. The CEO is responsible for translating ASSEK’s vision, mission and strategic priorities into operational results, strengthening the Association’s role as the unifying platform for Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) in Kenya.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Execution
- Lead the ASSEK Secretariat and oversee organisational health, driving implementation of ASSEK’s strategic goals, objectives and annual work plans.
- Ensure alignment of programs, operations and resources with ASSEK’s strategic priorities — including operational efficiency, capacity building, funding access, advocacy and ecosystem strengthening.
Governance & Board Engagement
- Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors to implement board directives and decisions.
- Support effective governance by providing timely reports, performance updates and strategic insights.
Operational & Organizational Management
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the Association, including staff management, systems and processes.
- Ensure sound financial management, internal controls and compliance with policies and procedures, in line with ASSEK’s Constitution and governance policies.
- Build and mentor a high-performing management team capable of carrying greater operational responsibility over time.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
- Serve as ASSEK’s primary thought leader and ecosystem convener, representing the Association before Government Ministries, the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), the World Bank and other development partners, and corporate executives.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with ESOs, government agencies, investors, corporates, academia and development partners.
Advocacy & Ecosystem Leadership
- Lead ASSEK’s advocacy and policy engagement efforts to promote a favorable environment for ESOs and entrepreneurs, strengthening partnerships across the public, private and donor sectors.
- Champion collaboration, knowledge sharing and coordinated ecosystem development.
- Drive decentralisation and growth — expanding ASSEK’s footprint beyond Nairobi into regional chapters to ensure inclusivity across all counties.
- Guide ESOs and MSMEs through contemporary technology integration, balancing human-centred entrepreneurship with emerging tools such as AI and advanced digital platforms.
Resource Mobilization & Sustainability
- Spearhead resource mobilisation and donor fundraising strategy to secure ASSEK’s long-term financial sustainability, in line with the Sustainability and Resource Mobilization Plan.
- Drive membership growth, partnerships, grants, sponsorships and revenue-generating initiatives.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
- Oversee monitoring, evaluation and reporting against strategic goals and key performance indicators.
- Promote data-driven decision-making, learning and continuous improvement.
Key Competencies & Requirements
- A minimum of ten (10) years’ progressive senior executive leadership experience, ideally within membership associations, the startup/SME ecosystem, or the development/non-profit sector.
- A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, or a related field is required.
- A demonstrated track record in resource mobilisation and donor fundraising, with the ability to secure and manage relationships with development partners and investors.
- Strong familiarity with the Kenyan/ East Africa startup, innovation and non-profit landscape, and credibility as a thought leader within it.
- Proven experience engaging government, multilateral institutions and corporate stakeholders at a senior level.
- Excellent organisational leadership, governance and people-management capabilities.
- Outstanding communication, networking and representation skills.
What ASSEK Offers
- Competitive, market-aligned remuneration package.
- Medical cover and statutory insurance benefits.
- Annual leave and other benefits as provided under ASSEK’s HR policies.
- The opportunity to shape the future of Kenya’s — and East Africa’s — entrepreneurial ecosystem at the highest level.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents by 5:00 PM EAT on Sunday, 27th September 2026. Please include “ASSEK CEO Application” in the subject line:
- A cover letter expressing interest in the position
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Samples or evidence of similar work done before (e.g. relevant achievements, portfolio, references, or brief case studies)
