Venture Development Officer

Amref International University focuses on training, research and extension in health sciences, emphasizing promotive, preventive, rehabilitative and palliative health. AmIU is founded on the experience and intellect of Amref Health Africa, which is reputed for its over 60 years of quality and innovative public and community health interventions, training, and education. It is committed to progressively developing innovative programmes catering to the present and future African and global health needs. The University offers postgraduate, undergraduate, higher diploma, diploma· and certificate programmes and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses that prepare human resources for health to serve throughout the health system. AmIU will become the Pan African University in Primary Health care and seeks to train transformational leaders who will Inspire Lasting Change. For more on Amref International University, please visit https://amref.ac.ke

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Venture Development Officer will support the development and growth of health innovations, start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures within the Health Innovation Hub. The role will help innovators translate ideas, research outputs and prototypes into viable, market-oriented and sustainable ventures, with a focus on business modelling, market validation, customer development, financial viability, commercialization and venture growth.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Venture Development

• Support innovators and start-ups to develop viable business models and growth strategies.

• Provide business advisory and practical support to ventures.

• Support development of business plans, value propositions and revenue models.

• Guide ventures from ideation and validation through market entry and growth.

Market and Customer Development

• Support market research and validation of health innovations.

• Help ventures identify customers, users and market opportunities.

• Support customer acquisition, sales and market-entry strategies.

• Facilitate linkages between ventures and potential customers, healthcare organizations and industry. 

Financial & Commercial Advisory

• Support basic financial modelling, costing, pricing and revenue planning.

• Help innovators assess the commercial viability and sustainability of their ventures.

• Provide basic financial literacy and business management guidance.

• Support preparation of business and investment-readiness materials.

Commercialization & Venture Growth

• Support the transition of innovations from prototype to market-ready solutions.

• Develop commercialization and growth strategies with innovators.

• Identify opportunities for adoption, scale and market expansion.

• Track and support the growth of ventures within the Hub.

Incubation & Mentorship

• Support incubation, acceleration, innovation challenges and entrepreneurship programmes.

• Mentor students, innovators and entrepreneurs on business development.

• Coordinate business development workshops, venture clinics and pitch preparation.

• Support innovators to develop and present their ventures professionally.

Partnerships & Ecosystem Engagement

• Build relationships with businesses, healthcare organizations, industry and entrepreneurs.

• Facilitate market and business linkages for supported ventures.

• Represent the Hub at relevant innovation and entrepreneurship forums.

• Support collaboration with universities, research institutions and other ecosystem partners. 

Monitoring & Reporting

• Track the progress and growth of ventures supported by the Hub.

• Monitor market validation, customer development, commercialization and growth indicators.

• Prepare periodic venture development reports.

• Document success stories, lessons learned and venture impact.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in commerce, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Marketing or a related field.

• 2–5 years' relevant experience in business development, banking, sales, entrepreneurship, venture development or customer relationship management.

• Experience working with startups, sales, recruitment of new customers, managing clients’ portfolios and financial records will be an added advantage.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Advanced excel

• Market and customer development

• Venture and business development

• Loans management, financial advisory and commercial analysis

• Sales and relationship management

• Coaching and mentoring of enterprise founders

• Stakeholder engagement

• Communication and presentation skills

• Problem-solving and analytical skills

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. The closing date will be 10th November 2026.

All Amref International University open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly note that official emails from AmIU will arrive from an @amref.ac.ke or @amref.org address.

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