Job Openings at Bridge International Academies

Bridge Kenya is a life-changing community school program. It is one of four community school programmes run as part of NewGlobe’s education portfolio. Bridge Kenya opened its first school in Nairobi’s Mukuru Kwa Njenga, in 2009. Now, it supports community schools across 43 of the 47 counties. Bridge Kenya partners with communities, parents and teachers to deliver life-changing education and provide a gateway to success for underserved families. Since 2015, Bridge Kenya’s national (KCPE) exam results have continued to prove academic excellence, significantly outperforming national averages. Community school graduates have gone to top secondary schools and universities; both within Kenya and the US.

Policy & Partnership Department

The Policy & Partnerships team (P&P) leads our movement to transform the lives of millions of children through education. We lead pioneering efforts to revitalize Government-led delivery of education across the world. We engage with visionary political and Government leadership to help shape policy, strengthen delivery and impact complex education systems through public private partnerships.

About the Role

As the Policy and Partnership Manager, you will play a substantial and crucial role in growing and driving partnerships with the organization. The manager will use policy skills and experience to establish, develop and harness collaborative relationships with internal movement and external partners to develop an exciting and innovative project pipeline of partners. This will involve coordinating complex interactions with our regulators, including but not limited to, legislators, Members of Parliament, Local Government Officials, Ministry officials, and support the identification of potential partners in the Non-governmental sector. This position will be the focal point of communication between the government and the organization in issues related to Licensing and registration of the school.

Responsibilities

• Report to the Director, Policy & Partnerships (P&P) to help design policies, build partnerships, and execute strategy to advance Bridge’s goals in Kenya.
• Manage broader strategic stakeholder management with NGO/ donor/ think tank/ academic and other important ‘influencers’ to unlock new funding and advance Bridge’s standing with these important communities;
• Utilize lead management techniques and maintain a detailed and dynamic database of these key influencer communities while tracking progress;
• Network with new and unfamiliar audiences while preparing for and understanding your audience;
• Work with local, regional and national officials and groups with respect to the Bridge International Academies’ registration, strategic efforts, and related activities;
• Work in partnership with the ministry to ensure all Bridge schools become registered.
• Work with key stakeholders on consultative efforts to drive reforms in delivery of education to underserved communities;
• Identify opportunities and work with partners in the private sector to drive efficient service delivery with government schools;
• Identify CSR partners in the private sector to strengthen Bridge International Academies’ market presence and delivery;
• Identify the larger contours of PPP and CSR relationships and be responsible for structuring PPP and CSR contracts;
• Plan, develop, administer and evaluate programs, activities and daily operations related to the governmental affairs support function
• Coordinate complex interactions with legislators, legislative staff, other state officials, county and national government officials/staff;
• Establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies and operating procedures for the government relations support function; monitor and evaluates program effectiveness; effects changes required for improvement; and
• Policy and pipeline development including the creation of a Private Public Partnership (PPP) in education.
• Identifying and closing on sponsors for Bridge pupils.
• Undertake any other specific partnership projects as necessary. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with superior academic performance;
• Experience in government program delivery or working in account management or as an engagement manager;
• In depth experience building and systematically managing key complex relationships and accounts to ensure program delivery in a complex, multi-stakeholder program or project;
• Previous experience working with a Ministry of Education on program delivery, preferred; If not within education, experience with another government delivery program or project, such as in health or ICT;
• Knowledge of education sector and specifically the provision of primary education in Kenya would be an added advantage;
• Ability to balance commercial interests and social benefits – a blend across business and political acumen, but also high emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills;
• Highly capable and thoughtful problem-solving skills; able to act as an intermediary and a solutions driven lead, to ensure effective collaboration and communication between the Government client and our organization;
• Prior experience within a fast-paced, high-growth, metric-driven operational organization will be an advantage;
• Excellent writing skills including the ability to draft press releases, statements, talking-points, and opinion pieces in partnership with the Bridge communication team.
• Experience working for a political, non-profit, or other social campaigns that concern an idea or a movement rather than a product.

Other requirements

• A detailed doer – You have a track record of getting things done. You’re organized and responsive. You take ownership of every idea you touch and execute it to a fine level of detail, setting targets, engaging others, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. You can multi-task dozens of such projects at once and never lose sight of the details. Likely, you have some experience in a start-up or other rapid-growth company.
• A creative problem-solver – Growing any business from scratch comes with massive and constant challenges. On top of that, Bridge works in often fragile, sometimes volatile low-resource communities and with complex government systems. You need to be flexible and ready to get everything done effectively, quickly, and affordably with the materials at hand.
• A relentless advocate – The children we serve and teachers we empower never leave your mind. You know them, get them, have shared a meal with them (or would be happy to in the future). You would never shrink back from shaking a parent’s hand or picking up a crying child, no matter what the person was wearing or looked like. Every decision you make considers their benefit, experience, and value.
• A malleable learner – You believe you can always do better. You welcome constructive criticism and provide it freely to others. You know you only get better tomorrow when others point out where you’ve missed things or failed today.
• A data-driven decision-maker – When making decisions, you don’t rely on your intuition alone. You collect data, you analyze it and make decisions with clear justifications.
• A curious investigator – You ask why a lot. You don’t just take what you see and accept it. You wonder why it is that way, and are aware that the world we see is created by human choices and actions – and it could be different. You wonder, and see the world as wonderful even when you want to change a part of it that is unjust.

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Group

The Strategy Group is responsible for our overall direction in education service, designing our verbal and visual brand, communicating our work internally and externally, providing insight into the ecosystems within which we work, measuring the impact of our programs, engaging our government partners in programming, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding the reach of our services into new geographies. Creative, Communications, Insights, Measurement & Evaluation, Quality Assurance, Policy & Partnerships, and New Opportunities are all departments within the Strategy Group. Collaboration between and coordination of each of these department’s functions is critical to ensure that every child has access to an education that develops her full potential and creates the foundation for prosperity for the country.

Department

The Communications team is housed with the Strategy group. It collaborates across departments and programmes to create and execute compelling strategies; locally and globally. Communications has a wide portfolio of responsibilities including external and internal relations, advocacy, strategy, digital, reputation management and media relations. We are focussed on ensuring that the exceptional achievements being made across a wide portfolio of programming are effectively and impactfully communicated. We lead, develop and support strategies in multiple programmes and continents simultaneously; shaping and influencing the external environments in which we work. We pride ourselves in being able to respond quickly and effectively at all times. About the Role

•  We are looking for someone to support Bridge through external communications. The role will include telling the Bridge story across all channels, creating content, and strengthening communications.
• Our ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of all mass communications channels and the ability to design content that optimises news and social media. The candidate should be capable of running digital media and handling websites. They will be an extremely effective written communicator, a planner, and creative. They should possess a  keen sense of ownership and quick execution.

Responsibilities

•  Develop multimedia content and collateral from across our Bridge Kenya and Bridge Uganda community schools that tell the powerful story of what bridge does and importantly how it does what it does.
• Support management and updating of the website regularly by creating rich and engaging content.
• Support, maintain and upload digital communications to social media platforms sharing relevant content, photographs and videos on a regular basis.
• Support build our events and public speaking platform across the organisation.   
• Support the team in delivering the agreed departmental strategy, plans and standards.
• Carry out research through a range of sources, including the Internet, Intranet, publications and other external contacts, including government bodies, organisations and other charities, in order to obtain relevant information that can contribute to communications strategies.
• Work within short term and long-term communications plans as conveyed by the team.
• Analyse and present research findings in a written or verbal format, including preparing briefing notes, press releases, operation notes, summarising papers and publications and making recommendations in order to contribute to the agreed departmental strategy plans and standards.
• Draft and produce written correspondence such as press releases, quotes, operational notes, letters, reports and other documents as required, using word processing, databases and spreadsheets to required standards.
• Develop multimedia content and collateral from across our Bridge Kenya and Bridge Uganda community schools that tell the powerful story of what bridge does and importantly how it does what it does.
• Support management and updating of the website regularly by creating rich and engaging content
• Support, maintain and upload digital communications to social media platforms sharing relevant content, photographs and videos on a regular basis.
• Help build our events and public speaking platform across the organisation.
• Help deliver the agreed departmental strategy, plans and standards.
• Carry out research through a range of sources, including the Internet, Intranet, publications and other external contacts, including government bodies, organisations and other charities, in order to obtain relevant information that can contribute to communications strategies
• Work within short term and long-term communications plans as conveyed by the team
• Analyse and present research findings in a written or verbal format, including preparing briefing notes, press releases, operation notes, summarising papers and publications and making recommendations in order to contribute to the agreed departmental strategy plans and standard
• Draft and produce written correspondence such as press releases, quotes, operational notes, letters, reports and other documents as required, using word processing, databases and spreadsheets to required standards.
• Undertake specific communications projects as necessary.

Qualifications

• A Degree in Communications or any other related field.
• Proven ability to produce compelling material and stories for external audiences.
• Proven ability to collate, produce and edit multimedia content.
• An awareness of the media and political landscape both locally and nationally.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills to deal effectively, efficiently and appropriately with internal and external stakeholders including the media.
• Ability to successfully influence and negotiate with individuals and achieve objectives through excellent relationships
• Experience of collecting data from various sources, and ability to analyse and present findings clearly for internal and external communications including for press releases
• Proven ability to prioritise and organise own workload effectively and efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Well-developed ability to work well with others as part of a team, providing support as required, and build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Understanding and experience of using digital media and social media channels.

Other requirements

•  A detailed doer – You have a track record of getting things done. You’re organized and responsive. You take ownership of every idea you touch and execute it to a fine level of detail, setting targets, engaging others, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. You can multi-task dozens of such projects at once and never lose sight of the details. Likely, you have some experience in a start-up or other rapid-growth company.
• A creative problem-solver – Growing any business from scratch comes with massive and constant challenges. On top of that, Bridge works in often fragile, sometimes volatile low-resource communities and with complex government systems. You need to be flexible and ready to get everything done effectively, quickly, and affordably with the materials at hand.
• A relentless advocate – The children we serve and teachers we empower never leave your mind. You know them, get them, have shared a meal with them (or would be happy to in the future). You would never shrink back from shaking a parent’s hand or picking up a crying child, no matter what the person was wearing or looked like. Every decision you make considers their benefit, experience, and value
• A malleable learner – You believe you can always do better. You welcome constructive criticism and provide it freely to others. You know you only get better tomorrow when others point out where you’ve missed things or failed today.
• A data-driven decision-maker – When making decisions, you don’t rely on your intuition alone. You collect data, you analyze it and make decisions with clear justifications.
• A curious investigator – You ask why a lot. You don’t just take what you see and accept it. You wonder why it is that way, and are aware that the world we see is created by human choices and actions – and it could be different. You wonder, and see the world as wonderful even when you want to change a part of it that is unjust.

go to method of application »

Bridge Kenya is a life-changing community school program. It is one of four community school programmes run as part of NewGlobe’s education portfolio. Bridge Kenya opened its first school in Nairobi’s Mukuru Kwa Njenga, in 2009. Now, it supports community schools across 43 of the 47 counties. Bridge Kenya partners with communities, parents and teachers to deliver life-changing education and provide a gateway to success for underserved families. 

Since 2015, Bridge Kenya’s national (KCPE) exam results have continued to prove academic excellence, significantly outperforming national averages. Community school graduates have gone to top secondary schools and universities; both within Kenya and the US.

About the Role

You will be responsible for contributing to the achievement of allocated sales targets for the assigned assets or reclaimed materials by proactively and rigorously engaging potential partners in order to close potential sales deals. Success will be dependent upon the individual’s ability to be an out of the box thinker, possessing the uncanny ability to close suitable deals that meet all defined requirements. You should be a strong negotiator, and possess the ability to close the sales agreement all within predefined timelines. You will ensure achievement of sales targets as will be assigned.

Note: This is a commission-only position with a competitive commission structure. The role will be based on Bridge Independent contractor terms. The position will be based in various regions across Kenya as follows; Central, Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast, Northern Kenya, Nyanza and Western regions. While applying please indicate your current or preferred region/county to work in on your CV. Preference will be given to applicants domiciled in the regions/county where the preferred school site is situated.

Responsibilities

• Source for potential clients to buy reclaimed materials or assets allocated.
• Present purchase offers to buyers for consideration.
• Mediate negotiations between buyers and ensure closure of agreement.
• Ensure that all terms on the purchase contracts are met and payment is made.
• Advise clients on prices, market conditions, and related information.
• Accompany clients during visits and inspections of the assets up for sale.
• Promote assets through advertisements and listing services.
• Advising customers on the suitability and value of the assets to be purchased.
• Act as the face of the company and offer exemplary customer service to all clients.
• Maintaining contact with potential clients in the assigned areas to ensure high levels of client satisfaction. 

Requirements

• Strong sales, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to understand and negotiate contract terms.
• Excellent ability to network with a variety of customers.
• Strong work ethic, and a pleasant and trustworthy demeanor.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience selling construction materials is an added advantage.
• Strong skills in using the internet and other available platforms to advertise, scout, negotiate and advise on assets to be sold.
• Must be a Kenyan citizen and reside in the area assigned.
• Flexibility to travel to assigned sites during client visits. 

Other requirements

• A detailed doer – You have a track record of getting things done. You’re organized and responsive. You take ownership of every idea you touch and execute it to a fine level of detail, setting targets, engaging others, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. You can multi-task dozens of such projects at once and never lose sight of the details. Likely, you have some experience in a start-up or other rapid-growth company.
• A creative problem-solver – Growing any business from scratch comes with massive and constant challenges. On top of that, Bridge works in often fragile, sometimes volatile low-resource communities and with complex government systems. You need to be flexible and ready to get everything done effectively, quickly, and affordably with the materials at hand.
• A relentless advocate – The children we serve and teachers we empower never leave your mind. You know them, get them, have shared a meal with them (or would be happy to in the future). You would never shrink back from shaking a parent’s hand or picking up a crying child, no matter what the person was wearing or looked like. Every decision you make considers their benefit, experience, and value.
• A malleable learner – You believe you can always do better. You welcome constructive criticism and provide it freely to others. You know you only get better tomorrow when others point out where you’ve missed things or failed today.
• A data-driven decision-maker – When making decisions, you don’t rely on your intuition alone. You collect data, you analyze it and make decisions with clear justifications.
• A curious investigator – You ask why a lot. You don’t just take what you see and accept it. You wonder why it is that way, and are aware that the world we see is created by human choices and actions – and it could be different. You wonder, and see the world as wonderful even when you want to change a part of it that is unjust.

go to method of application »

IT Operations Department

IT Operations is responsible for last mile delivery of technology, ensuring that everyone from school staff to executives, all have the functioning technology they need to excel at their jobs. It also oversees the technical infrastructure that supports and connects all of our global offices, as well as the back-office systems that power our customer care centers, finance teams, warehouses, and more. Within the technology group, IT Operations also holds the distinction of being the only department with a dedicated presence in each of our operating territories, meaning that is also the key conduit and primary advocate for all aspects of technology at our, ensuring the work done by the other technology departments delivers on its potential.

About the Role

The Associate, IT Operations will ensure the provision of superior customer service throughout the business, through the maintenance, enhancement and efficient operation of IT functions. Additionally, the role will include responsibility for ensuring the security and integrity of IT operations and systems. The flexibility to work outside normal business hours is integral to this role, as is the ability to work under broad direction and minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Install and configure new IT equipment – Servers, PCs, Laptops, Smart phones, Tablets, Projectors, Nooks, etc.
• Coordinate identification of training needs and training users on a one to one or on a group basis on usage of various IT systems or applications.
• Perform preventive maintenance on various IT equipment and software – Laptops, Servers, AP, E-Readers, Printers, Security Systems, etc.
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing IT equipment including Computers, Laptops, E Readers, Smart Phones, and other peripherals.
• Capture all user requests as they come in via phone or email on the incidents management system and ensuring users get updates on the status and progress of their requests.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance activities including software upgrades and patches and service packs in a manner that ensures continued service operation.
• Assist in maintaining proper inventory and asset records and documentation of changes in ownership for all company assets.
• Liaise with vendors to ensure that company equipment are serviced and maintained as per SLAs, and schedules.
• Escalate IT calls (Tickets) to IT Officers, specialists and vendors as necessary.
• Support with deployment and roll out of new applications, systems and devices.
• Assist in ensuring that devices that have been repaired or fixed are properly deployed in a secure and manner.
• Assist in developing training material that can be used to improve system and device handling and utilization, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science or related discipline or;
• Advanced diploma in electronics or other related field
• Basic experience providing IT office support
• Knowledge of Android Technologies, Smart Phones, Nooks
• Working knowledge of LAN/WAN technologies and WIFI Configurations
• Hardware and Software troubleshooting skills.
• Planning and organizing skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Writing and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible

Other requirements

• A detailed doer – You have a track record of getting things done. You’re organized and responsive. You take ownership of every idea you touch and execute it to a fine level of detail, setting targets, engaging others, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. You can multi-task dozens of such projects at once and never lose sight of the details. Likely, you have some experience in a start-up or other rapid-growth company
• A creative problem-solver – Growing any business from scratch comes with massive and constant challenges. On top of that, Bridge works in often fragile, sometimes volatile low-resource communities and with complex government systems. You need to be flexible and ready to get everything done effectively, quickly, and affordably with the materials at hand
• A relentless advocate – The children we serve and teachers we empower never leave your mind. You know them, get them, have shared a meal with them (or would be happy to in the future). You would never shrink back from shaking a parent’s hand or picking up a crying child, no matter what the person was wearing or looked like. Every decision you make considers their benefit, experience, and value.
• A malleable learner – You believe you can always do better. You welcome constructive criticism and provide it freely to others. You know you only get better tomorrow when others point out where you’ve missed things or failed today.
• A data-driven decision-maker – When making decisions, you don’t rely on your intuition alone. You collect data, you analyze it and make decisions with clear justifications.
• A curious investigator – You ask why a lot. You don’t just take what you see and accept it. You wonder why it is that way, and are aware that the world we see is created by human choices and actions – and it could be different. You wonder, and see the world as wonderful even when you want to change a part of it that is unjust.

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Group

Our people are at the core of what we do, and supporting a diverse workforce that spans many industries, and many cultures, while at the same time keeping everyone aligned to our mission and mandate takes focus and determination. We work at massive scale. We are responsible for ensuring we support each team member to succeed, aligned to business goals and constraints. We are responsible for our human capital, administration of all offices and support functions, and employee engagement. We are data-driven, and leverage technology to make both informed decisions and work processes. We are the champions of our culture. We value continuous learning and extensive collaboration, and have strong focus on performance. We are evidence-based, outcomes driven and lead through service.

Department

People Operations manages each employee’s life cycle with us, with a focus on contracting, benefits, compensation, payroll, and date-driven performance management. We are the first point of contact on most issues for our team members, ensuring our policies support and encourage a strong and effective team. Working across hundreds to thousands of employees, we work at scale, with large amounts of data, leveraging technology to improve employee systems and support.

About the Role

• The Officer, People Operations role is a generalist position that operates at the front lines of People department at Bridge.
• The ideal candidate should exceptionally possess high attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and ability to manage multiple workflows and projects simultaneously. You are level-headed, disciplined, and thoroughly understand that HR must protect the Company’s interests and policies and guide employees through their career life cycles at Bridge at the same time.
• You have a very good understanding of HR best practices and employment/labour law frameworks in Kenya, and are certified by the IHRM. Last but not least – you are a gritty, never-say-die doer who relishes challenges

Responsibilities

• Separations Process: lead and “quarterback” separations processes, including department, asset, and financial handovers – involves IT, Admin, and Payroll Accountant
• Onboarding Process: lead and “quarterback” teams from IT, Admin, etc. in ensuring that staff are successfully on boarded
• Payroll Verification: work with Payroll Accountant to ensure that all contractors and employees are properly represented with the right deductions/additions, if any. Generate monthly report for managers on headcount
• Staff Benefits: supporting staff with questions about health coverage, managing additions to coverage, dealing with other health coverage issues
• Asset Management: ensure that all staff have the assets they need; deal with asset recovery processes and exchanges/one-off needs. Heavy interfacing with IT and Admin
• Leave Management: assist employees with leave, generate monthly report for managers on leave balances
• Disciplinary Procedures: work with the HR Director on managing these procedure
• Appeals, Grievances, Investigations: lead these processes with some direction from the HR Director
• Staff Documentation: ensuring that offer letters, contracts, probation confirmations, and change of status documents are appropriately handled

Qualifications/Requirements

•  Strong adherence to systems and process
• Experience working with a culturally and socioeconomically diverse workforce
• Minimum of four years of full-time work experience in Human Resources
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office; technologically competent/quick learner
• Work experience in fast-growth, rapid-scale contexts, particularly with large numbers of field staff
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• High energy and enthusiasm level; willingness to do whatever necessary to get the job done
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV experience preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably with Business Administration and/or Human Resources course specialization, with exemplary academic performance
• IHRM certification

Other requirements

• A detailed doer – You have a track record of getting things done. You’re organized and responsive. You take ownership of every idea you touch and execute it to a fine level of detail, setting targets, engaging others, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. You can multi-task dozens of such projects at once and never lose sight of the details. Likely, you have some experience in a start-up or other rapid-growth company.
• A creative problem-solver – Growing any business from scratch comes with massive and constant challenges. On top of that, Bridge works in often fragile, sometimes volatile low-resource communities and with complex government systems. You need to be flexible and ready to get everything done effectively, quickly, and affordably with the materials at hand.
• A relentless advocate – The children we serve and teachers we empower never leave your mind. You know them, get them, have shared a meal with them (or would be happy to in the future). You would never shrink back from shaking a parent’s hand or picking up a crying child, no matter what the person was wearing or looked like. Every decision you make considers their benefit, experience, and value.
• A malleable learner – You believe you can always do better. You welcome constructive criticism and provide it freely to others. You know you only get better tomorrow when others point out where you’ve missed things or failed today.
• A data-driven decision-maker – When making decisions, you don’t rely on your intuition alone. You collect data, you analyze it and make decisions with clear justifications
• A curious investigator – You ask why a lot. You don’t just take what you see and accept it. You wonder why it is that way, and are aware that the world we see is created by human choices and actions – and it could be different. You wonder, and see the world as wonderful even when you want to change a part of it that is unjust.