Partnership Officer

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.