Current Openings at United States International University - USIU Africa

Position Purpose

The Learning Support Assistant (LSA) supports students with disabilities to access and participate equitably in academic programmes, learning activities, and university life. The role provides individualized practical and learning support in line with students’ identified functional needs and approved support arrangements.

Working with Disability Inclusion Services, faculty, the Assistive Technologist, and other relevant university units, the LSA helps reduce barriers to learning, promotes student independence, and supports meaningful participation. The role complements the responsibilities of academic staff and specialist support personnel and upholds students’ dignity, privacy, autonomy, and right to make independent decisions.

 Key Responsibilities

 Individualized Learning and Academic Support

• Provide individualized learning assistance in line with students’ identified needs and approved support arrangements.
• Support participation in lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, laboratory activities, and other learning activities, as appropriate.
• Assist students to access course materials, follow classroom activities, organize academic tasks, and use learning platforms.
• Provide authorized practical assistance with note-taking, handling learning materials, and accessing classroom resources.
• Support communication and participation in collaboration with faculty and relevant specialists, including access to materials in appropriate formats.
• Promote independent learning, self-advocacy, confidence, and effective study habits without completing academic work or assessments on a student’s behalf.

Functional Support and Accessibility

• Provide agreed practical assistance with mobility, navigation, positioning, and access to learning spaces, within the scope of the role.
• Assist students to access classrooms, libraries, laboratories, computer facilities, and other university environments.
• Identify and report physical, communication, environmental, or other accessibility barriers affecting participation.
• Support students to use approved assistive devices and technologies in collaboration with the Assistive Technologist.
• Refer technical issues involving assistive technology, accessible formats, or specialist equipment to the appropriate university personnel.
• Respect students’ preferences and obtain consent before providing personal or physical assistance.

Examination and Assessment Support

• Assist with the practical implementation of approved examination accommodations in coordination with Disability Inclusion Services, faculty, and examination personnel.
• Support approved arrangements such as access to examination venues, set up of authorized assistive devices, and use of accessible materials.
• Provide reading, scribing, navigation, or other examination-related assistance only when formally authorized and in accordance with university procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and academic integrity, ensuring that support does not influence a student’s responses or compromise assessment validity.
• Refer questions or concerns about examination arrangements to the designated university personnel.

Student Well-being and Referrals

• Build respectful, professional working relationships with students and provide appropriate encouragement to support participation and confidence.
• Recognize and report concerns affecting a student’s safety, well-being, or participation in university activities.
• Refer students who may require counselling, health services, psychosocial support, or other specialist interventions to the appropriate university services.
• Maintain professional boundaries and do not provide clinical, therapeutic, or counselling services unless separately qualified and formally authorized.
• Provide practical support during transitions between learning environments or university activities where required.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Work collaboratively with Disability Inclusion Services, faculty, the Assistive Technologist, Student Life, Counselling Services, and other relevant university units.
• Participate in support-planning meetings, briefings, and coordination sessions as required.
• Share factual observations about learning barriers, accessibility concerns, and emerging support needs through approved reporting channels.
• Contribute relevant feedback to reviews of practical support arrangements without making decisions outside the scope of the role.
• Support disability inclusion awareness activities and promote respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory interactions when assigned.

Documentation, Confidentiality, and Safeguarding

• Maintain accurate records of support provided in accordance with university procedures.
• Document relevant observations, incidents, and accessibility or support concerns through approved reporting mechanisms.
• Protect students’ personal information, disability-related information, and academic records, sharing information only with authorized personnel for legitimate purposes.
• Comply with university policies on confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding, professional conduct, and disability inclusion.
• Promptly report safeguarding concerns, incidents, or suspected misconduct through the appropriate university channels.
• Deliver support with dignity, respect, impartiality, and professionalism.

Qualifications and Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Special Needs Education, Inclusive Education, Education, Disability Studies, Rehabilitation, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• One year’s relevant experience. Additional training in disability inclusion, assistive technology, inclusive learning, or student support is an advantage.
• Training in sign language, orientation and mobility, accessible communication, or other relevant disability support approaches is an advantage, depending on student support requirements.

Relevant Experience

• Experience supporting students or other individuals with disabilities in educational, rehabilitation, community, or related settings.
• Experience in individualized learning support, classroom assistance, note-taking, or practical support for persons with disabilities is an advantage.
• Familiarity with inclusive education principles, accessibility, and reasonable accommodation practices.
• Experience using computers, digital learning platforms, and accessible learning resources.
• Experience working collaboratively with educators, students, or multidisciplinary support teams.

Skills and Competencies

• Understanding of disability inclusion, accessibility, and inclusive learning practices.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, listening, and relationship-building skills.
• Empathy, patience, respect, and a student-centered approach.
• Ability to provide individualized support while promoting student independence and self-advocacy.
• Computer literacy and willingness to learn relevant assistive technologies.
• Good organization, reliability, flexibility, and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgement.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and university support teams.
• Commitment to safeguarding, non-discrimination, dignity, and equal opportunity.

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The Role

USIU-Africa seeks a strategic, compassionate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life to provide strategic direction, oversight, coordination and leadership for an integrated student experience that enables every student to thrive academically, personally and socially. The mandate brings together student success, wellbeing, advocacy, engagement, inclusion and development, recognising that academic achievement is closely connected to mental health, belonging and resilience.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor will lead the student success lifecycle, from enrolment and transition into University through academic progression, completion and preparation for life beyond graduation. Working across academic and administrative divisions, the role will remove barriers to achievement, champion student voice and advocacy and strengthen accessible, proactive and preventive support. The role combines strategic oversight with active participation in student life, including the planning, organisation and implementation of policies and procedures governing extracurricular activities.

The mandate is to translate an integrated student experience into demonstrable improvements in retention, academic progression, timely graduation and employability. This includes strengthening engagement and campus participation, improving enrolment and the responsiveness of student support, and sustaining students’ lifelong connection to USIU-Africa. The Deputy Vice Chancellor will work with academic and professional teams to establish baselines, agree on measurable targets and use evidence to assess progress and direct resources where they will have the greatest effect. Technology will underpin this approach through student success dashboards, progress tracking and coordinated interventions, enabling the University to identify emerging needs, act early and evaluate the effectiveness of support.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Accountability

• Translate the University’s Strategic Plan into measurable student success outcomes, implementation plans and performance targets across the student lifecycle. Lead an integrated approach that connects academic achievement with wellbeing, inclusion, engagement and personal development.
• Serve as the Vice Chancellor’s chief advisor on student success, wellbeing, advocacy and the wider student experience, keeping the Vice Chancellor informed. Participate in the Management Board, contribute to institutional goals and represent the student success, wellbeing and advocacy portfolio on University committees and community groups.
• Lead the planning, implementation and review of policies, standards, programmes and services for student success, wellbeing and advocacy. Guide the transition from reactive services to proactive, coordinated and preventive support, with clear responsibilities and accountability for delivery.

Academic Progression and Completion

• Collaborate with academic schools and administrative divisions to identify and remove barriers to retention, academic progression and timely graduation. Coordinate academic advising, mentoring and early interventions for students who need additional support.
• Oversee enrolment and retention, financial aid and orientation, working across the University to support new, transfer and re-entry students, including those transitioning from high school. Connect these services to continued engagement and successful progression.
• Work with academic leaders to ensure wellbeing informs the curriculum and classroom experience. Collaborate with the Deputy Vice Chancellor responsible for Academics, Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research to plan and direct graduation ceremonies.

 Student Wellbeing and Inclusion

• Provide strategic oversight of counselling, wellness, student advocacy and services that meet students’ daily needs. Ensure support is accessible, inclusive and responsive, and strengthens mental health, resilience and psychological safety.
• Oversee international student services, study abroad and multicultural programmes. Recognise the needs of students from different backgrounds and coordinate support that enables equitable participation and achievement.
• Manage facilities and services that enhance students’ quality of life and learning. Use student feedback and service evidence to improve access, response times and the coordination of support.

Student Engagement and Experience

• Champion student voice and advocacy and serve as a liaison between students and University administration. Listen actively to student concerns, involve students in decisions affecting their experience and use feedback to guide improvements. Ensure student interests inform policies, support decisions and the removal of barriers to achievement.
• Lead the planning, organisation and implementation of policies and procedures for extracurricular activities across the University. Provide oversight and participate actively in initiatives that promote a positive, high-quality student experience.
• Increase engagement and campus participation through relevant co-curricular opportunities. Work with Marketing to promote these programmes and support branding, communications, public relations, media relations and sports information.

Career Readiness and Transition

• Oversee career services, internships and job placement, connecting these functions with academic and co-curricular development to strengthen employability and students’ transition beyond university.
• Work with academic units, employers and relevant partners to connect students’ learning and development with career opportunities. Support lifelong engagement and connection to USIU-Africa.
• Represent the University to government bodies and agencies providing benefits, resources and services for students and, when requested, to educational institutions, businesses and community organisations.

Student Development and Belonging

• Provide leadership and oversight for student associations, councils, clubs and the Student Centre. Support student leadership, confidence, resilience and personal development through sports, community service and other extracurricular activities.
• Build a campus culture that values diversity and strengthens belonging, connection and psychological safety. Develop institutional traditions and lifelong affiliations through vibrant student organisations and a living and learning environment grounded in the University’s values.

 People, Resources and Service Improvement

• Develop and manage the Student Life Division’s budget and oversee relevant funding processes and policies. Achieve divisional goals through effective financial and human resource management and align resources with student needs and agreed outcomes.
• Lead and develop diverse teams, evaluating personnel, programmes and services against student success outcomes and support responsiveness. Introduce additional services that respond efficiently and effectively to emerging student needs.
• Use technology as a core tool for tracking and supporting student success. Work with IT Services and academic teams to connect student information, academic progress, engagement and support records so that staff can identify emerging concerns, coordinate timely interventions and follow up on their effectiveness. Develop accessible digital support channels and dashboards that track retention, academic progression, graduation, employability and service responsiveness, with appropriate access controls, confidentiality and data protection.

Governance Ethics and Risk Management

• Collaborate with the Legal and Quality Assurance Offices to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes and University requirements. Maintain and clearly communicate high legal and ethical standards across student services, programmes and activities.
• Oversee student judicial services and fair disciplinary procedures. Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality and sound management of student-related institutional risks, ensuring sensitive concerns are handled appropriately.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as assigned by the Vice Chancellor.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a seasoned higher education leader who combines strategic judgement with compassion and a strong commitment to holistic student success. They will be able to interpret student data, listen carefully to student concerns and bring academic and professional teams together to deliver lasting improvements.

Academic Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy in the field of specialisation from a recognised University or equivalent.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.

 Experience and Knowledge

• At least seven years of relevant experience in a university student success, wellbeing, advocacy or related student experience function at a senior level.
• At least five years of teaching experience or experience in the management of student life-related activities.
• Thorough knowledge of university administration and practices, including policy implementation, funding and budget processes.
• Proven ability to bring together faculty, staff, academic administration and campus administrators across the University to address complex student-oriented issues and build consensus on solutions.
• Experience in student matters within and beyond the classroom, including student government, and the ability to connect service delivery with student achievement, wellbeing and engagement.

Skills and Competencies

• Strategic leadership and execution: Translate the University’s Strategic Plan into measurable student success outcomes, implementation plans and performance targets, and sustain accountability for results.
• Data analytics and evidence-based decision making: Interpret retention, attrition, progression, graduation, engagement and wellbeing data to identify trends and direct interventions. Analyse complex situations, solve problems and exercise prudent judgement.
• Collaborative and cross-functional leadership: Bring academic and administrative teams together around the student journey, clarify shared responsibilities and build consensus on complex issues.
• Change management: Lead the transition from reactive student services to proactive, integrated and preventive support. Engage diverse teams in change, challenge practices that impede student success and embed continuous improvement.
• Governance, ethics and risk management: Understand student policies, safeguarding, confidentiality, disciplinary procedures, institutional risk and regulatory obligations. Demonstrate integrity and sound ethical judgement when handling sensitive matters.
• Emotional and social intelligence: Listen with empathy, respond constructively to student concerns and lead diverse teams with self-awareness. Build trust while making fair and sometimes difficult decisions.
• Cultural intelligence and inclusion: Work effectively across cultures and backgrounds, recognise barriers to participation and create an environment of belonging, respect and psychological safety.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication: Communicate clearly with students, colleagues and external stakeholders; champion student voice; negotiate effectively and resolve conflict.
• Financial and resource management: Oversee budgets and business functions supported by multiple funding sources, prioritise resources and align expenditure with student needs and agreed outcomes.
• Technology-enabled student success: Use student information systems, analytics and digital support tools to monitor the student journey, identify students who may need support and coordinate proactive interventions. Translate dashboard findings into action, assess intervention effectiveness and maintain reliable records, appropriate access controls and confidentiality. Use financial and data management software and learn new systems as needs evolve.

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Responsibilities

 Strategic Academic Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for transformative teaching, learning and research across schools and departments. Translate the academic components of the University’s Strategic Plan into implementation priorities, measurable outcomes and an academic development strategy that strengthens institutional competitiveness and global relevance.
• Lead the development of academic policies and regulations and oversee the implementation of University Senate decisions. Represent and advocate for the academic portfolio, preserving USIU-Africa’s distinctive character, academic freedom and institutional ethos.
• Provide regular reports to Council, Senate and the Management Board and technical advice to management. Use reliable academic performance data to assess progress, identify risks and direct improvement.

Academic Excellence and Programme Relevance

• Review existing programmes and lead the development and approval of new curricula against future skills, industry needs, labour market demand and emerging disciplines. Maintain a relevant, high-quality and financially sustainable programme mix across all levels.
• Strengthen competency-based education, experiential learning and interdisciplinary programmes. Ensure graduates develop practical capabilities, problem-solving skills and professional judgement that support employability and effective participation in the market.
• Work with deans to improve teaching effectiveness, assessment quality and student learning outcomes. Embed clear learning outcomes, rigorous assessment and continuous evaluation in programme delivery.
• Ensure qualified academic personnel, learning resources and academic information resources support effective delivery. Use employer and graduate feedback, alongside academic evidence, to inform programme renewal and skills development.

Student Success and Inclusive Learning

• Collaborate with deans and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life to improve retention, academic progression and timely graduation. Strengthen academic advising, mentoring, inclusive learning and coordinated support that identifies and addresses barriers to achievement.
• Use progression, attrition, completion and learning outcome data to target interventions and evaluate their effectiveness. Build academic environments in which students from diverse backgrounds can participate, develop confidence and realise their potential.
• Connect academic learning with practical experience and career readiness, collaborating across the University to improve graduate employability and students’ transition beyond their studies.

 Research and Innovation Leadership

• Set a clear strategic direction for research and innovation that reflects the University’s priorities and connects scholarship with societal and industry needs. Lead through deans and academic leaders to strengthen research quality, outputs and impact.
• Integrate research into teaching and programme development, expanding research-led programmes and postgraduate pathways. Strengthen postgraduate supervision, researcher development and the connection between inquiry, learning and practice.
• Champion interdisciplinary research and programme development, bringing schools and disciplines together to address complex problems and emerging areas of knowledge. Create opportunities for collaborative projects that connect faculty expertise with student learning.
• Promote student innovation, problem solving and entrepreneurial thinking through inquiry, applied projects and opportunities to develop and test ideas. Support an academic culture in which experimentation and the practical application of research are encouraged.
• Facilitate publication and dissemination of research findings and strengthen research support, including the development of proposals and research collaborations. Work with relevant University functions to support funding opportunities and the responsible translation of research into practical benefit.
• Oversee research ethics management and related research functions within the academic portfolio. Uphold research integrity, responsible conduct and appropriate ethical review, working with the relevant institutional mechanisms.

Digital Transformation and Flexible Learning

• Lead the academic adoption of appropriate technologies and expand flexible, online and hybrid learning options where they enhance access, programme quality and student outcomes.
• Work with deans and technology teams to strengthen digital pedagogy, faculty capability and accessible learning resources. Ensure digital delivery supports meaningful engagement and rigorous assessment rather than simply transferring existing content online.
• Use learning analytics and academic information systems to monitor engagement, progression and learning outcomes, identify emerging concerns and guide timely academic support. Evaluate the effectiveness of digital initiatives and uphold confidentiality and responsible use of data.

Academic Quality and Accreditation Collaboration

• Hold deans accountable for the quality of teaching, research and assessment within their schools. Ensure academic standards meet regulatory requirements and that programme review and improvement are supported by credible evidence.
• Collaborate with the quality assurance and accreditation liaison functions on review readiness, evidence requirements and academic corrective actions. Ensure schools provide timely, accurate documentation and implement agreed improvements for the concurrent American and Kenyan accreditation reviews.
• Maintain clear accountability for academic delivery through deans and academic leaders, while preserving the independence of institutional quality assurance and accreditation liaison arrangements. Use independent review findings to guide academic improvement.

Academic Administration

• Strengthen academic administration and the performance of schools and departments within the portfolio. Plan the academic calendar and ensure adherence to teaching schedules, examinations and holidays.
• Coordinate University examinations and oversee policies relating to student academic standards, student discipline and academic personnel discipline, working with relevant University functions and applying fair procedures.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life in planning University graduation ceremonies.

Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage senior academic leaders, setting clear expectations for academic performance, research development and student success. Mentor, coach, supervise and evaluate direct reports and build an effective, accountable academic leadership team.
• Oversee academic recruitment and evaluation through appropriate leadership and institutional processes. Support faculty development and mentorship that strengthen teaching, assessment, research and digital learning capability.
• Build a culture of collaboration, inclusion, integrity and innovation. Lead change across the academic enterprise, address performance concerns constructively and support senior leaders to deliver agreed priorities.

Resources and Global Academic Collaboration

• Develop and manage the annual budget for the Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research portfolio. Align expenditure, academic staffing and learning resources with agreed outcomes and institutional sustainability.
• Lead planning for academic resources, including those provided through the Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with the relevant University functions.
• In collaboration with the Director of Advancement and relevant academic leaders, develop and support joint programmes, exchange opportunities and international academic collaborations that strengthen global connectivity, programme quality and research.
• Contribute academic expertise to the development, implementation and review of partnerships in support of the University’s mission and vision.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will combine scholarly credibility with executive capability and a record of leading academic transformation. They will be able to lead senior people, use evidence to make decisions and connect academic excellence with student success, innovation and global relevance.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy in the field of specialisation from a recognised University or equivalent.
• At least the rank of Associate Professor.
• Relevant professional qualification and membership of a relevant professional body.

Experience and Knowledge

• Over thirteen years of relevant experience, with over five years in management, three of which should be at senior management level in a similar organisation.
• A record of teaching, service and scholarship consistent with tenure, and a track record of successful academic leadership.
• Broad and detailed knowledge of higher education and its changing landscape, including curriculum relevance, assessment of learning and institutional and programme accreditation.
• Evidence of leading senior academic leaders and working across disciplines to improve teaching, research, student outcomes and organisational performance.

Skills

• Strategic and operational planning: Translate institutional ambitions into long-term, integrated plans, clear priorities and measurable academic outcomes.
• Data-driven decision making: Interpret teaching, assessment, progression, completion, employability and research data to identify trends, direct interventions and assess results.
• Academic transformation: Review programmes against industry needs and future skills, strengthen practical and interdisciplinary learning and improve assessment quality.
• Research and digital learning leadership: Connect research with teaching and postgraduate development, support innovation and guide effective adoption of online, hybrid and flexible learning.
• Business and financial acumen: Exercise sound financial judgement, manage resources and balance academic priorities with institutional sustainability.
• Communication and collaboration: Listen and communicate clearly, articulate the University’s vision and work effectively with academic, professional and external stakeholders.
• Academic quality and accreditation: Evaluate programme quality, lead academic improvement and work constructively with independent assurance and accreditation functions.

Competencies

• People and culture leadership: Lead and manage deans and other senior academic leaders with approachability, clear accountability and the courage to make difficult decisions. Develop faculty capability and mentorship.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Build commitment across schools, connect expertise and champion joint research and programme development.
• Governance and integrity: Demonstrate executive presence, high ethical standards and sound judgement; respect academic freedom, research ethics and independent assurance.
• Innovation and change leadership: Anticipate changes in higher education, challenge practices that limit learning or performance and create an environment that supports experimentation and improvement.
• Inclusive and student-centred leadership: Build teaching, learning and research environments that respond to a diverse campus community and connect academic excellence with student success.
• Global outlook and institutional advocacy: Build academic connectivity and represent the University’s ambitions persuasively while collaborating with those responsible for Advancement and external relationships.