DFS Innovation Specialist at KCB Bank Tanzania

Job Function

Digital Financial Services, Innovation

Designation

DFS Innovation Specialist

Level

Specialist

Employment Type

Full Time

Workplace Type

Not specified

Location

Tanzania, United Republic of

Job Role

Job Title: DFS Innovation Specialist

Position Overview

The DFS Innovation Specialist supports the identification, development, testing, and implementation of innovative ideas, products, services, and business models that contribute to digital transformation and business growth.

The role focuses on innovation research, opportunity identification, ideation, customer insights, solution development, product commercialization, ecosystem engagement, and innovation project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Research & Opportunity Identification

• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and trend monitoring to identify innovation opportunities.
• Monitor emerging technologies, fintech developments, digital banking trends, and changing customer needs.
• Analyze customer feedback and market insights to identify opportunities for new products, services, and process improvements.
• Support the development of innovation proposals and business cases.

Innovation Ideation & Development

• Participate in ideation workshops, innovation challenges, design-thinking sessions, and brainstorming activities for DFS initiatives.
• Support the development of innovative concepts and solution prototypes.
• Evaluate ideas based on feasibility, customer value, commercial potential, and strategic alignment.
• Assist in preparing innovation concepts for pilot testing and commercialization.

Innovation Project Support

• Coordinate innovation initiatives from concept through pilot and implementation stages.
• Support project planning, documentation, progress tracking, and stakeholder coordination.
• Assist in executing proof-of-concepts (POCs), pilot projects, and innovation experiments.
• Track project deliverables, risks, issues, and implementation timelines.

Product Innovation & Commercialization

• Support product teams in translating innovation concepts into viable products and services.
• Participate in product testing, pilot execution, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and customer feedback collection.
• Monitor product adoption and performance following implementation.
• Contribute to commercialization and market rollout activities.

Customer Experience & Design Thinking

• Support customer journey mapping and customer experience improvement initiatives.
• Gather customer insights through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and market research activities.
• Identify customer pain points and recommend innovative solutions.
• Promote design-thinking methodologies and customer-centric innovation practices.

Ecosystem & Partnership Support

• Support engagement with fintechs, startups, innovation hubs, universities, accelerators, and technology partners.
• Assist in evaluating partnership opportunities and innovative solutions from external providers.
• Coordinate innovation events, ecosystem engagements, hackathons, and partnership activities.
• Maintain relationships with innovation stakeholders and ecosystem participants.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Maintain innovation pipeline records and project documentation.
• Prepare innovation reports, dashboards, presentations, and management updates.
• Track innovation KPIs, project outcomes, and business impact.
• Provide recommendations for improving innovation effectiveness and execution.

Knowledge Management & Innovation Culture

• Promote innovation awareness and knowledge-sharing across the Bank.
• Support innovation campaigns and employee engagement initiatives.
• Assist in maintaining innovation repositories, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Encourage collaboration and experimentation within teams and business units.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required.

Professional Qualifications

• Professional qualifications or experience in Product Management, Project Management, or Agile Practices are an added advantage.

Master’s Degree

• A Master’s degree in a business-related field is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of cumulative professional experience is required.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Innovation research and opportunity identification
• Digital financial services
• Market and competitor analysis
• Fintech and digital banking
• Design thinking
• Innovation ideation
• Solution prototyping
• Product innovation
• Product commercialization
• Customer experience and journey mapping
• Proof-of-concept and pilot execution
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Project coordination
• Ecosystem and partnership management
• Innovation reporting and analytics
• Agile practices
• Stakeholder management
• Knowledge management

Application Information

• Job Identification: 6445
• Job Category: Management
• Job Schedule: Full Time
• Posting Date: 14 August 2026
• Application Deadline: 28 August 2026 at 8:00 PM
• Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
• Location: Tanzania, United Republic of

Need Type

• RQ: Required
• AA: Added Advantage