Education Digital Transformation Project Manager Position

About Asante Africa Foundation

Asante Africa Foundation is a globally guided and locally led non-profit educating East Africa’s youth to tackle life’s challenges, thrive in the global economy and catalyze positive change. As an on the ground implementing organization, we invest in youth living in “off the paved roads” rural Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, empowering them with the skills they need to be successful in school and rise above the challenges they face. Their interconnected educational, life skills and livelihood programs, facilitated within “safe-space” learning groups, utilize learn-do-teach methodology, keep at-risk youth on the path to learning, accelerate academic classroom learning and develop future leaders, confident job seekers and innovative entrepreneurs.

Job Description

Asante Africa Foundation is seeking an Education Digital Transformation Program Manager who will be responsible for leading and delivering education and learning digital solutions for children and youth. This role is responsible for providing training and creating resources for internal and external users to support the successful implementation of programmatic digital and in-person curricula. Using strong Change Management Methodologies, the role will strengthen a roadmap for technical platforms, educational content; both open source and custom, workshops and training, will design training curriculum, and will roll-out a master training program for all of Asante Africa Foundation. The role will focus building out internal operations and ensuring delivery of relevant contextualized digital content with our three countries of Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. The role works closely with senior leadership of assigned programmatic areas along with key management stakeholders and guide strategic decisions while also leading the execution of digital change. The role will work closely with Global CEO, Director of Programs and Implementing country teams for achieving financial, programmatic and educational experience outcomes and impact. This role requires extensive technology, analytical, leadership and business knowledge. This role may serve as a manager to a small team and/or will coach and develop junior staff, alumni and volunteers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• As a leader and specialist in instructional and digital technology, develop and facilitate professional learning for internal support staff, educators and alumni in curriculum, instruction and assessment strategies that promotes achievement for learners in the Asante Africa programs, both academic, life skills and livelihood skills.
• In close partnership with the Country Managers, providing direct input into long term technology and educational digital roadmap strategy ensure that solutions align with 5-year strategy and will have a significant impact for learners, staff, and organization.
• Constantly operate with a child and learner centric mindset and have ability to analyze most active learning engagement to improve learning experience and outcomes.
• Lead and guide East Africa digital transformational educational projects integrating context, learning levels.
• Support funding initiatives and program targets by collaborating with Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships team, and/or corporate partners’ communications teams to develop and deploy an effective communications strategy.
• Create plans for assigned projects including the educational development, maintenance, software upgrades, training and optimization of tools and learning approaches.
• Leverage industry and transformational subject matter expertise to design digital solutions that align with strategic objectives, support annual learning goals and delivery gains.
• Simplify and reimagine processes in order to create transformational experiences through digital assets.
• Implement plans personally while also acting as a champion of change leading organizations through digital oriented transformations.
• Independently conduct complex quantitative and qualitative analysis of both the external marketplace trends as well as existing internal processes to recommend and influence actional recommendations.
• Leveraging complex data models to tell a story, effectively present and influence senior leaders on innovative digital solution recommendations.
• Proactively identify learning opportunities to increase both technical and operational knowledge of the industry and company.
• Serve as a transformational leader by mentoring lower-level transformational specialists and at times directly managing a small team of professionals.
• Establishes strong, effective and collaborative partnerships with key education, government and business area leaders, project managers and subject matter experts to identify specific funding or mentoring opportunities.
• Maintain strong knowledge of emerging external trends in digital technology solutions.
• Thinks with the mind of the child learner at all times, ensuring solutions seek to improve their experience and improve learning capabilities.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in instructional technology, education, social sciences, or related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in planning, systems designing, building, evaluating, and delivering curriculum – including digital and instructor-led programs – as well as online tools.
• Extensive experience working with young people, especially from rural and indigenous communities.
• At least 1-2 years of previous experience within education programs actively working in rural communities in East Africa.
• Deep personal commitment to social and economic development that recognizes youth as critical actors and beneficiaries.
• Proven understanding of child’s learning journey and behaviors & expectations to invest in technology.
• Demonstrate proven experience in project delivery and risk management.
• Experience in developing partnerships and working with national and/or international youth-serving organizations.
• Strong communication skills in English and Swahili (both oral and written) are required.
• Proven leadership ability with ability to lead, coach and develop others.
• Strong skills in conducting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and turning the information into actionable recommendations.
• Proven results focusing on quality delivery and educational learning outcomes; holds self to high standards of delivery. Ability to work in an agile work setting, high performing teams, delivery in activities before deadline and constructive attitude.
• Collaborative team player; able to work effectively within a team and more broadly with people from a variety of backgrounds and areas across the organization.
• Available for domestic and international travel, as needed and when safe.

Mission Alignment & Culture Fit

• Passionate and committed to advancing opportunities for youth education and skill development.
• Have a sophisticated, nuanced understanding of international philanthropy and how to navigate the funding opportunities.
• Highly strategic, and comfortable with creating clarity from ambiguity.
• Have experiences bringing a racial justice and gender equity lens to work products and staff culture.
• Possess high EQ and hear what is said and unsaid.
• Build trust through relationships and personal stories.
• Not afraid to advocate for organizational culture and values.
• Set high expectations for yourself and those around you.
• Can celebrate the victories in the work, big and small, while continuing to work for the long-term vision.

To Apply

Please send to humanresources@asanteafrica.org with Name: Education Digital Transformation PM – AAF East Africa as the Subject Line. Please attach your CV, 3 professional referees and their contacts, and your personal contacts.

Asante Africa Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants and employees for hiring, placement, and advancement, regardless of race, color, tribe, religion, national origin, genetic information, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or protected veteran status.

Compensation is competitive for a start-up organization and has the potential to grow. It will be determined based on a combination of factors, including level of experience, proven track record and exceeding targets. The total compensation package has a base salary and a performance bonus.

Applications will be accepted up to March 30, 2025 and then the shortlisting will take place.