Founder's Fellow

Role: Founder’s Fellow

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with fieldwork in the Rift Valley)

In-person full-time | High-performance role

Site video: https://youtu.be/CWXEAidAfCg

Background

Nasaru Naturals is building the world’s first commercial-scale spirulina farm at origin in Africa’s Rift Valley. By producing spirulina where it naturally thrives, we aim to combat malnutrition, expand climate-positive food production, and create meaningful jobs within the Maasai community.

Spirulina is the most nutrient-dense food on the planet with strong potential for food security, sustainable agriculture, and carbon drawdown. Nasaru Naturals is an early-stage social enterprise pioneering a traceable, sustainable production model rooted in community partnership and environmental stewardship.

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The Role

The Founder’s Fellow is a high-ownership role designed for someone who can think strategically and execute relentlessly. This is not an administrative or advisory role - you will operate as a core member of the leadership team and drive mission-critical work across fundraising, strategy, operations, and market development.

You will help shape the direction of the company while building the systems, partnerships, and capabilities needed to scale from pilot to the largest commercial microalgae farm on the continent.

Fundraising & Capital Strategy

• Develop and execute an early-stage fundraising strategy across grants, angels, and Venture Capital
• Build and manage a high-quality and mission-aligned investor and funder pipeline
• Prepare pitch materials, grant proposals, and manage the investor data room
• Build and maintain relationships with investors, partners and ecosystem stakeholders.

Business Strategy & Market Development

• Work with the Founder to refine long-term vision, strategy, and growth priorities
• Engage potential buyers and partners to understand market needs and specifications
• Update financial, impact, and carbon models to support decision-making
• Own the certification and compliance roadmap (food safety, organic, export, traceability) ensuring Nasaru meet world-class production and audit standards
• Build and manage the early sales pipeline, including buyer reachout, coordinate sample shipment, gather market feedback, and oversee first contracts, deliveries, and customer satisfaction

Operations, Process & Organizational Foundations

• Assess existing processes and identify gaps limiting efficiency or scalability
• Design and document standardized workflows, tools, and internal systems
• Support legal contracting, governance, and coordination with external advisors
• Implement lightweight project management and reporting systems (eg. KPI dashboard) to drive execution across teams

External Communications & Representation

• Lead brand narrative and development of external communications, website content, and social media presence
• Draft investor updates and materials for strategic partners
• Represent Nasaru Naturals in meetings, events, and ecosystem engagements 

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Skills and Qualifications

• Background in business, investment, entrepreneurship, sustainability, or a related field
• Experience or strong interest in fundraising, strategy, and early-stage venture building
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organised and structured with strong analytical skills
• High ownership mindset with the ability to operate independently and drive outcomes
• Passion for sustainability, food systems, and social impact
• Ability to thrive in frontier environments, including fieldwork in the Rift Valley

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Why Join Nasaru Naturals

• Play a foundational role in building a first-of-its-kind food and climate social enterprise
• Work directly with the Founder on high-impact strategic, and operational challenges
• Gain hands-on exposure across fundraising, strategy, operations, market development and communications
• Make a tangible contribution to livelihoods, and environmental regeneration within the Maasai community

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Terms and Application Details

• Full-time role based in Nairobi, with periodic fieldwork
• Initial contract of 12 months, renewable based on performance and career progression
• Compensation commensurate with experience

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