Head of Trade Development

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is seeking a strategic and results-driven Head of Trade Development to provide executive-level leadership over its trade development agenda. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing KNCCI's vision on trade facilitation, export promotion, investment support, member services, trade missions, partnerships, and market intelligence across domestic, regional, and international markets.

The successful candidate will serve as a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, translate policy opportunities into actionable programmes, and build a high-performing department that delivers measurable value to KNCCI's diverse membership base across Kenya.

• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of the Trade Development Department's annual work plans, budgets, and performance targets.
• Advise the CEO on trade development priorities, policy opportunities, member concerns, and emerging market trends.
• Supervise, guide, and develop departmental staff — setting clear performance expectations, fostering accountability, and ensuring timely delivery of outputs.
• Prepare departmental reports, board briefs, concept notes, and performance updates in line with institutional requirements.
• Support the implementation of trade agreements, protocols, and trade facilitation initiatives for KNCCI members.
• Provide advisory support to members on trade and investment opportunities, market access requirements, customs procedures, standards, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers.
• Monitor and evaluate the automated Certificate of Origin (CoO) system and recommend improvements for efficiency and member satisfaction.
• Oversee implementation of regional trade facilitation projects and contribute substantive input into policy briefs, position papers, and technical submissions.
• Identify, assess, and profile bankable trade and investment opportunities for sharing with members, investors, and strategic partners.
• Operationalize business information centres and intelligence platforms for effective dissemination to members and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement investment promotion strategies in collaboration with government agencies, development partners, and private sector institutions.
• Design and implement sector-specific strategies for goods and services to enhance domestic, regional, and international trade.
• Organize and manage trade missions, expos, B2B linkage events, and market discovery programmes for KNCCI members.
• Document and disseminate success stories, lessons learnt, and measurable impact from trade facilitation and investment promotion programmes.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute trade development or investment promotion strategies at a national or regional level.
• Proven experience advising senior leadership on trade policy, market access, and business development opportunities.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams, set performance targets, and drive accountability across a department.
• Hands-on experience coordinating trade missions, export promotion programmes, or B2B business linkage platforms.
• Track record of engaging government agencies, multilateral institutions, and private sector stakeholders on trade and investment matters.
• Competency in preparing high-quality reports, policy briefs, concept notes, and presentations for board or executive audiences.
• Experience overseeing trade facilitation tools or systems such as Certificate of Origin platforms or customs advisory services.
• Strong analytical and market intelligence skills — ability to identify trends, assess risks, and translate data into actionable recommendations.
• A minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in trade development, international business, commerce, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• A Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Business Administration, Economics, Law, or a related discipline is required; a Master's degree is highly desirable.

KNCCI offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the seniority of this role. Based on market benchmarks for senior trade and commerce leadership positions in Kenya, the estimated monthly gross salary range is KES 350,000 – 550,000. The final offer will reflect qualifications, experience, and internal pay structures.

Ideal Candidate: A seasoned trade development professional with deep knowledge of Kenya's trade and investment landscape, regional trade agreements (e.g., AfCFTA, EAC, COMESA), and private sector engagement mechanisms. You are a strategic thinker who can also roll up your sleeves to deliver operationally. You thrive in member-driven organisations and are passionate about unlocking business opportunities for Kenyan enterprises.

Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 8 years of relevant experience, have no background in trade facilitation or investment promotion, or are not prepared to lead a team and interface regularly with C-suite, government, and international stakeholders.

• Prepare an updated CV and a cover letter clearly demonstrating how your experience aligns with the role's responsibilities.
• Submit your application through the official KNCCI careers portal or the advertised application channel.
• Ensure your cover letter addresses your specific experience in trade development, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.