Project Manager - Africa Impact Academy at United States International University - USIU Africa

Job Summary:

USIU-Africa seeks a qualified candidate for an eighteen (18) months contract as a Project Manager for an exciting project – Africa Impact Academy. The Academy is a joint effort of USIU-Africa, MoFund Africa, and The Coca-Cola Foundation and aims to support Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria. The project has components of business development services which include needs assessment, training, mentorship, and coaching.

As a Project Manager, you will contribute to the successful implementation of the Africa Impact Academy’s initiatives, with responsibilities aligned to the following:

Key Responsibilities:

Implementation

• Coordinate regional Program launch
• Carry Skills demand needs from the industry
• Develop the creation and delivery of training sessions, workshops, and mentorship programs tailored to SMEs and grassroots organizations.
• Organize and coordinate project activities, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
• Identify stakeholders such as MSMEs, government agencies, hubs to be on boarded on the program

SME Incubation and Acceleration

• Map out training plans for the regions
• Maintain regional training attendance consolidated from the coordinators
• Provide daily activity plans to the regional coordinators and compile report to the project lead
• Provide support to Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in business development, financial planning, and operational strategy.
• Lead the delivery of targeted interventions, including mentorship and training, for MSME growth and sustainability.

Institutional Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations

• Assist in capacity-building initiatives for grassroots organizations, focusing on governance, resource mobilization, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with community leaders to ensure alignment with local needs and contexts.

Learning, Documentation, and Adapting

• Conduct literature and database searches to inform project strategies and interventions.
• Contribute to the writing of research reports, case studies, and other documentation as directed by the Project Manager.
• Support the dissemination of research findings through presentations, seminars, and conferences.

General Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Assemble and lead a project team.
• Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members.
• Foster a collaborative team environment.

Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and changes.
• Facilitate meetings and discussions among team members and stakeholders.

Minimum Educational Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, international development, or a related field.
• Master’s Degree in Business OR a Related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in entrepreneurship development and support, business advisory, or economic development, with a focus on MSMEs or entrepreneurship training/facilitation.
• Proven experience in Business Development Services (BDS) projects, including mentoring and coaching MSMEs.