Professional Development Associate

ABOUT ALU ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors. They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now. Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world. HOW WE WORK The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new. The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding. ABOUT THE TEAM Given that the team at the School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC) is small, each team member has a clearly designated role, but we do expect all team members to multitask and mutually support other members of the team as needed (and within reason) across the functions of the School. The team is led by an Executive Director and is focused on the following key areas: Delivery of educational support and the “conservation ecosystem” to the Undergraduate School of ALU Delivery of the conservation specialisation to the ALU MBA program Development and delivery of professional development courses to the African conservation sector Research and thought leadership into the Wildlife Economy of Africa Coordination of all SOWC operations Development and delivery of the annual Business of Conservation Conference (BCC) ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy, will help position SOWC as a trusted partner to conservation organisations, governments, NGOs, donors, and private sector actors across Africa. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES Provide administrative and operational support to the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy, and implement (with a team) a range of professional development courses Assist to coordinate both online and in-person implementation and delivery of professional development courses Responsible for the day to day support to administration of all professional development products, specifically: Supporting the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy to conceptualize, develop and implement professional development courses Coordinating with the head of Operations and Fundraising assist in the marketing and sales of all courses and assisting in the implementation of marketing plans Assisting the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy, to develop and deliver bespoke courses, at the request of key stakeholders and partners Assisting to develop and implement methods and systems that retain student engagement throughout the duration of their courses Assisting the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy, managing the recruitment of students to courses, their payments and their end of course certification Administering post-course satisfaction surveys, distributing certificates (alignment with the registrar office if applicable) Support the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy of ensuring end-to-end delivery of consultancy assignments Ensure the effective administration and smooth operation of professional development systems and platforms, working closely with the Operations and Technical teams to support programme delivery Coordinate system administration activities and ensure timely completion of all platform-related tasks and assignments Maintain accurate tracking and reporting of Professional Development and Consultancy programme data and performance metrics Support the Manager, Professional Development and Consultancy in preparing technical and financial reports Coordinate and strengthen alumni engagement initiatives, maintaining effective communication and fostering ongoing participation in SOWC activities Where time allows, support to the head of Operations and fundraising to assist in various other SOWC projects such as alumni and events coordination, especially the annual Business of Conservation Conference (BCC) Also responsible for where necessary and within reason, multi-tasking in support of the SOWC across all of its various operational areas in an approach that supports the entire team to do what is necessary to “get the job done” REQUIRED EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree in administration, management, conservation or related field At least 3 years work experience, preferably in the field of professional education, administration, operations Experience in the design and delivery of professional development courses, including student tracking and methods to maximize student retention Competent knowledge of the technology platforms that are available for the effective delivery of remote, in-person and hybrid professional development courses Good communicator, with demonstrated experience working in teams and adopting a mutually supportive approach to work Project management experience Driven and flexible with working hours Passionate about leadership and the development of young people in Africa REQUIRED COMPETENCIES Strong project and programme management skills Excellent planning, organisational, and administrative skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines Effective communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, partners, consultants, and colleagues Proficiency in digital platforms and systems used for online courses, including data management and reporting tools Strong problem-solving and analytical skills Collaborative team player who demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to support cross-functional organisational initiatives Results-oriented with a proactive approach, taking ownership of responsibilities while maintaining high standards of quality and service delivery Passionate about leadership development, professional learning, and supporting the growth of young people across Africa Strong interest in conservation and sustainable development Ability to work collaboratively in a small, agile team