Stephen Wambua

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Hand in Hand Eastern Africa’ Business Support Services and strategy work, spearheading the development, formulation and implementation of a business case/business model roadmap work ready to start immediately.
• Part of senior Management team responsible for shaping and implementing Hand in Hand Eastern Africa strategy, operations and day to day Management els and databases updated.
• Managed consultancies and advisory services, advising management and the board members on any opportunities consistent with organization vision, mission, strategy and business orientation
• Lead Capacity building, training and skill development team, providing overall leadership and overseeing the development and implementation of Social enterprise
• Responsible for business development, building a knowledge and Information hub that contribute to the country’s knowledge on practical and fruitful enterprise development, promote collaboration and information sharing within the thematic areas both inside and outside of the organization and maintain productive and mutual beneficial relationships with key stakeholders

Key Responsibilities

Globally led Hand in Hand Eastern Africa in Country Manager/Director work, responsible for the planning, directing, coordination, leadership and overseeing a Program portfolio spanning;

• Stakeholder Management: Manage and develop strong stakeholders’ relationship with relevant partners institutions, government, donor/ funders, along with the relevant programme managers, CEO and Board members
• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop networks and engage stakeholders within national/regional/International institutions and spearhead donor collaboration, fundraising and projects development within the countries
• Financial Management: Provided oversight to finance and administrative department to ensure effective implementation and compliance with the overall Finance policies, procurement guidelines, donor requirements and contract agreements. Managed risks related to the thematic area and propose respective mitigation plan for resolution.
• Team Leadership: Interacted with counterparts from other program teams to ensure strategic cohesion; Keeping Chief Executive Officer apprised of program being incubated and sharing of reports, lessons learned and recommendations for new programs. worked with heads of departments and senior management to develop policies and decisions for the success and establishment of the Hand in Hand brand, website, and MIS system for effective and efficient operations.
• Part of Senior Management team responsible for shaping and implementing organizational strategy, operations and day to day management, compiled and submit timely periodic, quarterly, annual and adhoc reports for management and board meetings
• Program Management: Promoted a culture of innovation and agility that facilitated the ideation of new programs. Strengthen multi-faceted effort towards Enterprise creation, value addition and market access, capacity & ecosystem building, Access to finances and Job creation by outlining compelling and clear guidelines that will improve and enhance the interaction among teams driving these efforts
• Developed and managed large-scale initiatives/programs thematic areas across East Africa spanning Regenerative agriculture, Circular practices and climate change, entrepreneurship development/business acceleration, women economic empowerment, digital economy, gender and safeguarding, policy reforms initiatives as well as research and M&E
• Managed Fundraising and partnership strategy team, developing and maintaining healthy relationship with donors and partnership organization, Responsible for Seeking out new donors by undertaking regular scoping and mapping to identify new funding opportunities that exist and assisted in the formulation of agreements and terms of engagement and writing projects proposals to generate income from various sources

Key Accomplishments

• Played a key role in establishment of Hand in Hand Eastern Africa- Tanzania and its operations from registration, setting up and program implementation for a period of 4years
• Wooed prospective donors/investors to fund the Hand in Hand operations in Tanzania by holding launch at the House of Lords (UK Parliament buildings) and Hand in Hand International Head Office (London)
• Participated in fundraising event dubbed Let’s Give Back Gala in Stockholm, Sweden and raised SEK13.8Million($1.5Million) to foster entrepreneurship and job creation lifting 77,000 family members out of poverty in Kenya and Tanzania
• Led the team in East Africa to mobilize over 17,000 Self Help Groups of 300,000 members, created over 330,000 businesses and over 450,000 Jobs in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania empowering grassroot entrepreneurs fight poverty through entrepreneurship training hence turn their skills and potentials into Jobs
• Helped unlock credit for over 74,000 Hand in Hand Eastern Africa micro-entrepreneurs in Kenya and northern Tanzania access to a cumulative loans value KES 928million for business start-up and enhance Small &Micro Enterprises.
• Oversaw the management and administration of closure and ongoing projects (i.e. Climate resilience entrepreneurship project, Environment as business (EAB) waste management project, Fight poverty with entrepreneurship project, Enterprise development for rural families in Kenya project, Kenya micro enterprise success programme (KMESP), Building Eco-entrepreneurship resilience in the Baringo value chain, Hilti cohort of Entrepreneurs project in Kenya and Tanzania, Training of Young Entrepreneurs’ to economic independence project in Tanzania, Training Tomorrow’s Innovators project in Tanzania, Competence and confidence project in Tanzania, Gender transformative male engagement and women’s economic empowerment project in Tanzania
• Acted as link between the donors and Hand in Hand Eastern Africa Managing their fund effectively and efficiently to more than 20 donors and partners such as Swedish International development Agency (SIDA), IKEA Foundation, DFID (UK), GIZ(Germany), Swedish post code lottery, Kiva Foundation, Swiss RE Foundation, Johnson& Johnson corporate citizen Trust, Hilti Foundation, Safaricom Foundation and many more donors
• Managed Eleven (11) small-sized corporate and Individual contributors who supported the Hand in Hand village and community Uplift programs (VUPS)
• Managed and controlled over USD $15 Million (KES 1.8 Billion) (Kenya USD 6.4 Million, Rwanda 3.2Million and Tanzania 5Million) for business start-up and Small and Micro Enterprises and turn skills and potential into Jobs
• I had opportunity to represent the organization to over 50 countries in Europe, United States of America, Asia and Africa for fundraising, creating and maintaining relationships with business partners, feasibility study, scoping study, forums and roundtables providing great opportunities to learn new things
• Controlled costs and optimized spending via restructuring of budgets for labor, capital assets, inventory purchasing and technology upgrades.
• Expanded cross-functional organizational capacity by collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals.
• Recruited, trained and coached [Number]-member team to support company growth.
• Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
• Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
• Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
• Recruited and hired top performers to add talent and value to department.
• Delivered feedback to decision-makers regarding employee performance and training needs.
• Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
• Monitored expenditures to mitigate risk of overages.
• Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
• Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.

Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments

• Cultivated strong business relationships with clients to increase overall experience, satisfaction and retention rates.
• Designed and developed programs and projects for dissemination to personnel.
• Engaged and worked alongside cross-functional stakeholders to manage strategic initiatives.
• Leveraged project management processes and tools to define and execute projects.
• Provided program management expertise in lean Six Sigma strategies and agile methods, practices and execution.
• Facilitated workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members.
• Participated in vendor selection and management process for program initiatives.
• Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
• Identified program obstacles and communicated possible impacts to team.
• Established milestones and objectives based on input from functional areas and stakeholders.
• Researched industry best practices in support of training development and program content.
• Participated in pilot tests and revised programs based on feedback and results.
• Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
• Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
• Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
• Orchestrated smooth and efficient program development by collaborating cross-functionally across departments.
• Demonstrated strong writing and presentation skills to develop briefs, memorandums and analytical reports for clients.
• Worked with subject matter experts to develop and implement mentoring programs to promote better learner experiences.
• Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects
• Engaged in day to day management of staff and represented the Operations department at Senior Management meetings
• Oversaw a USD $15million portfolio of major corporate partnerships including programmes with Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Swedish post code Lottery, Lakarmissionen, Swiss Re Foundation, Johnson &Johnson corporate Citizenship Trust, Kiva Foundation, Safaricom foundation, Women Enterprise Fund, Gundua Foundation and Build Africa
• Oversaw successful delivery of global, multi-year programmes within financial inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Adult literacy education and health, Agri- business, climate change and formation of community Based Organization (CBO’s), Value chains and Cooperatives
• Designed new projects and provided technical inputs for fundraising proposals, led a team of programme Managers, Project Manager and M&E Manager, setting workplans and KPIs as well as supporting professional development
• Oversaw the work of external consultants supporting M&E department and other partnership activities, including a development of curriculum for Entrepreneurship
• Oversaw development and implementation of Entrepreneurship training, Value Chain, Market Access, Credit Access and environmental initiatives in the entire Hand in Hand Eastern training curriculum and ensure program operate within the approved budget while monitoring cashflow projections and report actual cash flow and variance
• Supervised a team of over 300 Programme staffs, responsible for a programme portfolio totaling USD $ 15Million, funded by Hand in Hand International, Department for International Development (DFID), European Union (EC) and corporate donors
• As part of a wider reorganization of the programmes department, established 15 new operational branches in 10 Counties out of 47 counties in Kenya, implemented re-structuring of the team, revising job profiles and reporting lines, developed and build capacities of Managers to Project Managers.
• Supported initial development of new Programme Strategy and strategic plan which came into effect from May 2015.Build relationship with county Government officials and facilitated stakeholder’s forums in 24 out of 47 counties of Kenya introducing Hand in Hand Eastern Africa.
• Built teams to address project goals and objectives for multiple projects.

Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments

• Updated operational methods and oversaw accounting procedures for improved efficiency.
• Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
• Developed and initiated projects, managed costs and monitored performance.
• Maintained clear communication with precise technical writing to document and inform critical processes.
• Planned, designed and scheduled phases for large projects.
• Drove team success through shared vision and recognition of quality performance.
• Provided fiduciary oversight to remain within budget constraints, recommending project adjustments where necessary.
• Managed projects from procurement to commission.
• Orchestrated projects within strict timeframes and budget constraints by solving complex problems and working closely with senior leaders.
• Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
• Provided detailed product orders based on project drawings and technical specifications.
• Modified and directed project plans to meet organizational needs.
• Maintained compliance with regulatory parameters in complex projects with overlapping policies.
• Achieved project deadlines by coordinating with contractors to manage performance.
• Led project teams through design, construction and launch process.
• Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
• Accelerated progress by continually reviewing performance, budgets and project timelines.
• Managed and supervised “Hand in Hand &Care Rwanda Job creation Project”, a USD $3.2Million partnership (with Hand in Hand International and CARE International) extending financial inclusion, entrepreneurship training and market linkages training to underserved populations via savings groups
• Oversaw start up and completion of Rwanda project in 2016, when the project reached over 100,000 poor and very poor people trained, created 115,000 Small Business start-up, Growth and Employment opportunities across 7 Districts of Eastern Province of Rwanda in excess of targets.
• Co-led the strategic planning and development of the partnership’s, both in country, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa and at the Hand in Hand UK level, chaired steering committee tasked for overseeing the strategy, identifying priorities, monitoring and oversight of project implementation.
• Played lead role in the recruitment, Induction and mentoring a team of project staffs to mentor beneficiaries through participatory brainstorming sessions, joint action planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Responsible for projects budgeting, financial management and timely Report submission to the donors, for the development strategic partnerships between Government, Banks, Financial Institutions, NGOs and strategic service providers.
• Led team of consultants and managers to develop training interventions, Training of trainers (TOT) to the staff implementing the program, integrated baseline survey and establishment of operations in Kenya and Rwanda, successfully managed relations between the project beneficiaries, donors and stakeholders and Pioneered the development and piloting of curriculum for Entrepreneurship training and adapted to the Rwandan context.
• Strengthen Hand in Hand Eastern Africa’s institutional knowledge and profile formation of community Based Organization (CBO’s), value chain creation, Co-operative formation and management through dissemination of research and best practices in the development of Value chains and Cooperatives to benefit Farmers
• Maintained working relations with relevant government line ministries and private sector / research institutions to coordinate the adoption and uptake of innovations and/or approaches in value chain development, entrepreneurship development and Climate resilient agriculture
• Supported the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to develop a strong M&E framework with relevant indicators and processes for measurement of projects impact

Key Responsibilities Accomplishments

• Leveraged profit opportunities by recruiting top talent and managing brand image to exceed plan performance.
• Developed brand expansion initiatives across sales, marketing and advertising campaigns.
• Established and maintained operational standards for [Number] locations.
• Built and deepened partnerships with industry leaders to strengthen collaborative efforts and promote mutual profitability.
• Masterminded updates to workflows and revitalized teams to meet changing business needs and boost team member performance.
• Boosted brand growth by devising strategic network and marketing tactics.
• Introduced cost-saving initiatives to reduce losses and increase profit margin.
• Worked diligently to resolve unique and recurring complaints, promoting loyalty and enhancing operations.
• Spearheaded routine operations and special program initiatives for regional group.
• Attracted new clientele and developed customer relationships by hosting product-focused events.
• Led targeted training programs to educate staff on product benefits and service capabilities.
• Held meetings with director to identify techniques to overcome sales obstacles.
• Responsible for the planning, directing and coordination of operations for designated projects within the Hand in Hand Eastern Africa program and supervision of the projects according to donor agreements, budgets and deliverables
• Initiated actualization and delivery of the Entrepreneurship training, Credit access, Value Chain management and Market Access and environmental concerns aspects of the Hand in Hand Eastern Africa program
• Administered area surveys and mapping prior to the implementation of all new projects, spearheaded startup and establishment of new branches /projects through development and capacity building for the new project managers and project staff.
• Supported Monitoring and Evaluation activities for designated projects in line with respective implementation plans, provided continuous support and supervision to projects and teams through field visits and forums for engagement.
• Recommend to the management and spearhead potential ideas and opportunities on innovation and creativity of product &services in response to member needs within the project’s deliverables
• Chaired strategic meeting with donors and stakeholders.

• Met deadlines by proactively managing individual and team tasks and streamlining processes.
• Assessed employee performance and developed improvement plans.
• Complied with regulatory guidelines and requirements.
• Launched new training program to boost employee skills and staff retention rate.
• Examined customer loan applications for loan approvals and denials.
• Submitted loan applications to underwriter for verification and recommendation.
• Engaged employees in business processes with positive motivational techniques.
• Compiled database of loan applicants' credit histories, financial statements and other financial information.
• Evaluated project applications and verified with outline specifications to approve, reject and recommend adjustments.
• Reviewed and edited loan agreements to enhance clarity and monitor compliance with requirements.
• Interviewed and hired talented individuals with top-level strengths, improving organizational talent and skill set.
• Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.
• Identified partnership opportunities and established favorable business connections.
• Enhanced branch production rates by handling staff conflicts, evaluations, hiring and termination processes and coaching employees on company protocol and payroll operations.
• Generated financial and operational reports to assist management with business strategy.
• Supervised day to day operations and management of products and services, participated in the budget preparation, development of strategic plan, periodic performance reviews, implementation and monitoring of work plan activities at branch level
• Ensured staff performance targets are met by directing and monitoring their productivity and delivery, maintained quality standards and ensured compliance with policies and procedures at the Branch level, tracked program/project activities and expenditures and provide periodic input to management on performance against established benchmarksSubmitted financial reports to the operations and Finance department within established timelines and ensure statutory deductions are made and remitted, oversaw effective cash flow management including projections, requests, proper accounting for funds disbursed for field and office activities, receipts, bank withdrawals, petty cash and per die allowances.
• In consultation with Management team, collaborate with government agencies, local NGO’s and stakeholders, organize field visits for donors, partners and stakeholders, Participate and represented the organization in forums and seminars, marketing and promotional activities
• Oversaw staff recruitment, capacity building, coaching and mentoring for better performance, encourage staff motivation, retention, development and conduct appraisals

Key Responsibilities and Accomplishment

• Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
• Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Developed team communications and information for meetings.
• Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
• Managed team of employees, overseeing hiring, training and professional growth of employees.
• Analyzed financial situation of Kenya women Finance Trust within the branch network and oversaw product development and staff development
• Created financial capacity through Credit Access to women in rural and peri-urban areas through; Community Mobilization & Training, Credit Assessment, Disbursement and administering the repayments, Product Development and Staff Development
• Recruited client and disbursed the highest number of loans with 98% portfolio recovery, ensured growth and development of the entrusted branches
• Established new branches in Sotik, Nairobi West and Adams arcade, build capacity and develop Credit Officers to Manager