Venture Development Lead

Job Purpose

The Venture Development lead is responsible for driving the ideation development and scaling of social enterprises within Amref Ethiopia with the overarching goal of creating sustainable solutions to address social challenges while generating positive impact and revenue. This role involves conducting market research establishing strategic partnerships and overseeing the design and implementation of innovative ventures that advance the organizations mission to Identify test and launch viable product or services as social enterprise to increase and diversify revenue and generate unrestricted income while fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Venture Development Lead will work closely with the lead Strategy and Transformation and or Country director in identifying opportunities designing business models implement business ventures and managing operations of the enterprises to ensure the success and impact of the ventures while upholding the values and principles of Amref Health Africa.

Main Duties and Responsibilities  

1. Venture Identification Feasibility & Development

• Conduct market research and sector analysis to identify and prioritize viable products services and venture opportunities aligned with Amrefs mission.
• Develop feasibility studies business cases and comprehensive business plans for selected ventures.
• Design strong venture business models including pricing revenue streams operational models and scalability pathways.
• Establish venture selection criteria and lead decision-making on ventures to be incubated or piloted.
• Ensure ventures are designed for sustainability scalability and measurable health/social impact.
• Provide technical leadership on venture design using market validation lean startup and human-centered design methodologies.
• Lead the full lifecycle of venture development from concept generation to pilot readiness.

2. Venture Implementation Portfolio Management & Scaling

• Lead the end-to-end implementation and launch of approved pilot ventures ensuring delivery within defined timelines and targets.
• Monitor and evaluate pilot ventures to assess performance impact scalability and operational feasibility.
• Develop and manage portfolio performance systems including KPIs impact indicators and financial performance tracking tools.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews and implement corrective actions to strengthen venture performance.
• Provide strategic advisory and technical assistance to ventures on business growth product-market fit and go-to-market execution.
• Support integration of successful ventures into Amrefs broader operational and delivery structures.
• Identify and manage venture risks ensuring effective mitigation strategies throughout implementation and scaling phases.

3. Investment Mobilization Partnerships & Compliance

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with investors donors DFIs private sector partners accelerators and innovation ecosystems.
• Lead fundraising and resource mobilization initiatives to secure financing and strategic support for ventures.
• Prepare ventures for investment through governance strengthening financial modeling investor documentation and pitch readiness.
• Develop investment documentation including due diligence reports investment memos and venture performance profiles.
• Support structuring of investment and financing models (equity debt grants blended finance).
• Ensure full compliance of ventures with legal regulatory and operational requirements in the country of operation.
• Develop compliance-driven business models that protect Amref Ventures from legal and reputational risks.
• Represent Amref Ventures in ecosystem platforms investment forums and strategic partnership engagements.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications

Education and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Economics Entrepreneurship or International development
• Masters degree in Business Administration is preferred

Required Qualifications and Experience

• More than 5 years of experience in business development social entrepreneurship venture capital management consulting or a related field is essential.
• Experience in launching and scaling social enterprises or start-ups would be highly beneficial.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in conducting market research feasibility studies and competitive analysis to identify market opportunities and assess venture viability.
• Solid understanding of financial concepts including budgeting financial forecasting revenue modelling and cost analysis. Experience in fundraising securing investments and managing budgets would be valuable.
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements relevant to social enterprises NGOs and start-ups. Experience navigating regulatory frameworks and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements is preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated proficiency in clear and effective communication both verbal and written coupled with strong coordination abilities
• Ability to utilize and apply IT tools and systems showcasing advanced technical competency in leveraging technology to enhance productivity streamline processes
• Effective Team Collaboration and Leadership Skills.
• Knowledge on how international organizations and iNGOs operate
• Ability to quickly adapt and learn new environment
• Coordination and negation skills with both internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work well with teams coordination skill and ability to lead and mobilize senior team for action is required
• Must be in full agreement and support of Amrefs Core Values to evaluate candidates motivational fit for the organization.

Additional Information :

Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be on Friday 13 March 2026. 

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @ address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time