Senior Associate at Axum

As a Senior Associate, you will lead core strategy workstreams and program delivery. You will manage junior associates, contribute to business development and thought leadership, and actively engage clients and stakeholders to ensure meaningful impact. You will also bring strong capability in AI and digital tools, applying them to enhance strategic thinking, data analysis, and innovation in implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Lead problem structuring, analytical design, and insight generation across a workstream.
• Conduct high-quality analyses and build well-structured Excel models.
• Translate strategic insights into actionable recommendations, implementation plans, and roadmaps.
• Lead discussions on the operating environment and the project context. Provide tactical solutions to respond to project changes.
• Lead design of initiatives and provide support to junior colleagues in implementation.
• Apply critical thinking to AI outputs, understanding their limitations and ensuring the quality of insights.

Project Management and Delivery

• Lead project planning and manage day-to-day delivery of a workstream or project.
• Support project implementation, including working as part of an embedded team, supporting Project Management Office (PMO) functions, supporting project communications, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL).
• Support stakeholder consultation and partner coordination to ensure high quality program delivery.
• Support the development of comprehensive project plans and resource plans and ensure timely delivery of milestones.
• Monitor progress against goals, flag and mitigate project risks, and manage documentation and learning capture.
• Ensure efficient resource use, support operational coordination, and contribute to budget oversight when required.
• Maintain high standards of documentation and knowledge management throughout the project lifecycle.

Communication and Presence

• Structure and deliver high-quality written deliverables, including reports, slide decks, and proposals.
• Lead client presentations, workshops, and stakeholder engagements with cultural sensitivity.
• Translate complex findings into clear, compelling narratives tailored to decision-makers.
• Provide editorial oversight for junior team members.

Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for clients and external stakeholders, including decision-makers.
• Build relationships with key client counterparts and external stakeholders, cultivating trust and credibility.
• Support broader stakeholder engagement, advocacy efforts, and feedback loops to improve project outcomes.

Leadership and Team Development

• Manage and coach junior associates, promoting a culture of growth, accountability, and inclusion.
• Allocate tasks, track progress against milestones, and ensure high-quality, timely delivery.
• Contribute to a positive team culture, especially during high-pressure periods.

Thought Leadership and Knowledge Development

• Actively contribute to internal initiatives, thought leadership, and knowledge management.
• Participate in relevant practice areas and sector discussions.
• Apply and build subject matter expertise to support team effectiveness and innovation.
• Build expertise in a practice area and support the generation of thought leadership (e.g., blogs, papers, events).

AI and Digital Capabilities

• Apply advanced data analytics, AI tools, and digital techniques to enhance insight generation.
• Mentor others in the use of AI tools and prompting techniques; support project teams to optimize workflows using generative AI.
• Demonstrate critical awareness of AI limitations (bias, hallucinations, lack of contextual judgment) and guide appropriate use of these tools in client work.
• Maintain fluency in current AI developments (LLMs, machine learning, no-code/low-code tools) and help integrate them into firm practice and project delivery.

Initiative Development

• Support the development of new initiatives from idea generation, strategy development, and project implementation.
• Develop a budget for the initiative.
• Identify partners to collaborate with Axum on the initiative.
• Lead coalition building, including stakeholder engagement and convenings, to help drive the initiative.

What We Are Looking For

Skills and Experience:

• Completed bachelor’s degree, Master's degree a plus.
• 3-5 years of experience in management consulting.
• 3-5 years of experience in international development, public policy, or related field.
• 3-5 years of work experience working in Africa or the Middle East.
• Demonstrated success leading workstreams or small teams within consulting or implementation projects.
• Strong understanding of Africa’s socio-political context and experience working in at least one of the firm’s focus geographies.
• Proven ability to build trust with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), preparation of slide decks, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced analytical skills, including comfort with Excel, data visualization tools, and experience with qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Proficiency with AI tools, prompt engineering techniques, and a nuanced understanding of responsible AI usage in professional contexts.
• Demonstrated interest in social impact and alignment with the firm’s mission.