M-KOPA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

M-Kopa, a new company investing in using mobile payments for energy services, is seeking an energetic, entrepreneurial and experienced agent manager to support the launch and expansion of a new product. This product uses mobile payments as a way to pay slowly for renewable energy such as solar lighting.

The successful applicant for this role will be a commercially experienced individual with a proven ability to establish and manage networks of regional offices engaged in the recruitment and management of local agents, for distribution and sales in financial services, mobile money, airtime or other commission-based goods and services at a local level across Kenya.

Who we are

M-Kopa is being launched by Mobile Ventures Kenya Ltd (MVK), a Kenyan company focusing on creating mobile-based products and services for low-income users, including mobile money, mobile banking, mobile healthcare and mobile trading ventures.

MVK is part of Signal Point Partners Ltd. a global firm which works with, and for, market leaders in the financial services, mobile, development \and energy sectors. Members of our team have led the launch of mobile payments and mobile banking worldwide, including M-PESA.

For more details on current work visit www.mvkenya.com or www.signalpointpartners.com

What we do

M-Kopa is launching a new service using mobile payments to make renewable energy products – such as solar lanterns – affordable to low-income people in provincial and rural areas.

Customers use mobile payments such as MPESA to pay for renewable energy products and services on a “pay-per-use” basis, making them much more affordable especially to low-income users.

Products are distributed and sold through a network of local agents and outlets who are paid commission when customers send payments. This commission is paid via mobile payments.

During a six month trial, MVK has successfully signed up over 250 customers and six agents to this service. The next stage is to conduct second trial in September 2011. After this, the service will be launched across Kenya in March 2012.

M-Kopa is establishing regional offices located in provincial towns across Kenya. These offices are responsible for recruiting and managing agents, stock management and local marketing.

The position

Title: Head of Distribution and Sales

Period of work: 3 month probation leading to 2 year contract

Function: Lead and execute distribution for company launch and growth to 10 regional offices and 200 agents across Kenya.

Specific Tasks

• Key role in high-level planning for distribution and marketing strategies.
• Lead establishment of 10 regional offices countrywide including recruitment and training of staff, securing premises and ongoing support.
• Build and manage network of 200 agents countrywide – via regional offices.
• Coordinate agent support including agent training, merchandising and below the line (BTL) marketing strategies.
• Lead inventory management for 5000 units per month sales across network.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators for sales / distribution.

Reporting: Chief Executive/Chief Operating Officer, Nairobi.

Location: Kilimani (off Ngong Rd) Nairobi (5-10 days/month in field)

Compensation: Competitive salary

Starting Date: September 2012

What we’re looking for

Experience

• 5+ years high-level experience in a related commercial field: financial, mobile-money or other commission based product/service in East Africa.
• Proven ability to build and manage a network of field offices and regional representatives, with support functions, in a comparable industry.
• Educated in a related field, such as business administration, telecommunications or marketing.

Knowledge and Skills

• Capacity to innovate, creating new processes and structures across distribution network.
• Ability to manage inventory and stock across multiple regions.
• Ability to lead planning and execution for national BTL marketing strategy.
• Knowledge of the local business environment, particularly in financial services, mobile money or telecoms industries.
• Ability to build and manage relations at all levels both within the company and outside with medium-sized entrepreneurs.
• Excellent computer literacy and communication skills.
• Affinity towards entrepreneurship, understanding potential benefits of mobile technology to low-income people.
• English and Kiswahili fluency.

The position

Title: Regional Agent Manager / Field Sales Officer

Period of work: 3 months initially, with potential for extension

Function: A key member of a growing team responsible for distribution and sales. Play a key role in the establishment and management of a new regional office in a region of Kenya.

Tasks

• Recruit new agents in regional area
• Conduct agent visits and inspections
• Conduct agent training
• Support agents with ongoing issues (including some technical issues)
• Manage stock of products in region
• Maintain merchandising standards across outlets
• Deliver and collect products in area
• Report to Nairobi office regularly on agent performance
• Anticipated weekly routine 3-4 days field, 1-2 day Nairobi

Subject to performance, future long term opportunity to play an integral role in establishment and management of other new regional offices across Kenya.

Reporting: Directors, M-Kopa

Location: Kilimani (off Ngong Rd) Nairobi and provincial towns

Compensation: Competitive salary according to experience

Starting Date: September 2011

What we are looking for

Experience

• 3 years experience working with agents for financial services, mobile-money or other commission based products or services in East Africa.
• Proven ability to build and manage a network of small to medium sized businesses as dealers or agents
• Specific experience delivering local consumer marketing strategies.
• Strong experience and knowledge of inventory and stock management.
• Knowledge of the local business environment, particularly as it relates to financial services and mobile money or telecoms dealerships.
• Understanding of mobile technology, particularly mobile money, and its potential benefits
• Ability to effectively communicate with a range of low-income customers across Kenyan society
• Experience working in different regions of Kenya or East Africa.
• English and Kiswahili fluency.

If you’re interested

Please email applications@mvkenya.com with a CV and cover letter.