Business Development Officer & Research And Development Officer – Nairobi

Essential Job Details

Business Development Officer

Reference Number: HR 1/05/2025
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Employment Type: Full-Time
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: 5
Department: Business Development
Reporting To: Head of Business Development

Research and Development Officer

Reference Number: HR 2/05/2025
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Employment Type: Full-Time
Number of Positions: 1
Job Grade: 5
Department: Research & Strategy
Reporting To: Manager – Research and Product Development

Application Deadline for Both Positions

Friday, May 23, 2025 – Close of Business

Introduction

Are you a driven, qualified professional looking to work at the heart of Kenya’s mortgage refinance industry? The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) is offering two outstanding full-time employment opportunities in Nairobi: Business Development Officer and Research and Development Officer.

These roles are ideal for experienced professionals with strong analytical capabilities, sector knowledge, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s affordable housing agenda. As the housing sector continues to grow and evolve, KMRC is seeking individuals who can lead, innovate, and help build lasting partnerships and data-driven product solutions. These are not just jobs — they are career-defining roles for professionals who want to be part of something transformational.

About Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC)

KMRC is a non-deposit taking financial institution established to provide long-term funding to primary mortgage lenders (PMLs), including banks, SACCOs, and microfinance institutions, with the goal of increasing the availability and affordability of mortgage loans in Kenya.

The institution operates under the regulatory oversight of the Central Bank of Kenya and is a cornerstone in the realization of the Government of Kenya’s Affordable Housing Program. KMRC bridges the funding gap between institutional lenders and capital markets through strategic refinancing, enabling PMLs to extend long-term, affordable home loans to low- and middle-income Kenyans.

KMRC’s role is not just financial — it is developmental. The company recently made history by issuing the first bond by a non-sovereign entity on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Through strategic leadership, research-backed products, and collaborative growth, KMRC is building a more inclusive and accessible housing finance system in Kenya.

Position 1: Business Development Officer (HR 1/05/2025)

Purpose of the Role

The Business Development Officer will play a crucial role in identifying and cultivating new business opportunities, managing stakeholder relationships, and supporting the expansion of KMRC’s refinancing services. The role requires a keen understanding of financial products, mortgage markets, and the ability to translate opportunities into tangible growth.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct in-depth market research to identify trends, risks, and emerging opportunities in the housing finance and mortgage refinancing sectors.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives to expand KMRC’s client base, especially targeting Primary Mortgage Lenders.
Engage directly with banks, SACCOs, and MFIs to present refinancing offerings, understand their unique needs, and position KMRC as a value-adding partner.
Coordinate with internal teams including credit risk, legal, and compliance to ensure onboarding of new PMLs is seamless and compliant.
Lead business proposal development and prepare presentations for internal approval and external pitch purposes.
Contribute to KMRC product development efforts by channeling market feedback into product design and enhancements.
Represent KMRC in industry conferences, workshops, and expos, helping raise brand visibility and stakeholder awareness.
Maintain up-to-date records and client relationship logs using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
Prepare monthly and quarterly performance reports detailing business development KPIs, client engagement metrics, and impact outcomes.
Support after-sale relationship management by ensuring client satisfaction, resolving queries, and coordinating ongoing engagement.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or a related field from a recognized institution.
Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in business development, sales, product development, or client relationship management in the financial sector.
Experience working within mortgage finance, banking, or capital markets will be a significant advantage.
Professional certification in marketing, project management, or finance will be an added advantage.

Key Competencies and Skills

Strong understanding of mortgage products and refinance structures.
Proficiency in financial modeling and proposal writing.
Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
Analytical thinking, strategic foresight, and strong execution skills.
High-level presentation skills and business acumen.

Desired Personal Attributes

Team-oriented and collaborative mindset
High integrity and ethical standards
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Passionate about making a developmental impact

APPLY

Position 2: Research and Development Officer (HR 2/05/2025)

Purpose of the Role

The Research and Development Officer is responsible for driving the company’s research agenda, including market analytics, product innovation, policy development, and institutional learning. This role is pivotal in ensuring that KMRC’s interventions are evidence-based and responsive to market trends and socio-economic realities.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Functions:

Conduct comprehensive market and industry research to support mortgage product innovation and institutional strategy.
Analyze macroeconomic, sectoral, and demographic data to inform KMRC’s strategic decisions and future product offerings.
Monitor and assess the competitive landscape and share actionable insights with senior leadership.
Collaborate with academic and research institutions to undertake joint studies on housing finance, policy frameworks, and consumer behavior.
Develop technical reports, white papers, and stakeholder briefs based on research findings.
Design and manage internal data repositories for storing research outputs, client feedback, and institutional knowledge.
Guide departments in applying Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks to assess impact and outcomes.
Conduct operational and consumer satisfaction surveys to track effectiveness of KMRC products and services.
Participate in forecasting, strategic planning, and scenario modeling to guide KMRC’s market positioning.
Ensure full compliance with research ethics, data privacy, and intellectual property regulations.

Strategic Alignment:

Support annual reviews of the strategic plan by analyzing internal and external drivers of change.
Recommend modifications to existing products and strategies based on evidence and market responsiveness.

Knowledge Management:

Maintain detailed records of all R&D activities.
Disseminate knowledge internally through workshops, internal newsletters, or learning sessions.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years’ demonstrated experience in research, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), housing policy, or financial product development.
Proven experience working in research teams or think tanks is desirable.

Key Competencies and Skills

Advanced proficiency in data analysis tools such as SPSS, STATA, R, or Python.
Strong grasp of financial product design and housing market economics.
Excellent writing and editing abilities with experience preparing high-level policy documents.
Ability to translate complex findings into digestible content for diverse stakeholders.
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Fluency in both English and Kiswahili.

Personal Attributes

Strong analytical thinker and problem solver.
Curious, open-minded, and committed to continuous learning.
Ability to work under pressure while maintaining quality standards.
Passionate about data-driven decision-making and inclusive development.

APPLY

Company Culture and Values

KMRC is more than a financial institution — it is a mission-driven platform built around service, innovation, and excellence. Employees are part of a collaborative environment that prioritizes:

Innovation: Encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and experimentation.
Integrity: Upholding transparency, ethics, and public trust.
Collaboration: Working across teams to achieve shared goals.
Impact: Focusing on measurable improvements in housing accessibility.
Inclusion: Celebrating diversity in thought, background, and perspective.

Professional development, mentorship, and learning are embedded in the organization’s DNA. KMRC believes in investing in its people as they invest in building the future of Kenya’s housing finance landscape.

How to Apply

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting their applications through the KMRC official careers page:

👉 KMRC Careers Portal

Ensure to:

Clearly indicate the reference number of the role you are applying for.
Submit a detailed CV, cover letter, and copies of academic/professional certificates.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Early applications are encouraged as shortlisting will be done on a rolling basis.