Assistant EducationUSA Adviser at Sochin Research Institute

WORK HOURS: Full time, 40 hours/week

DURATION:             Up to 24 months

EDUCATIONUSA OVERVIEW

The EducationUSA Advising Center at the U.S. Embassy Nairobi is an official affiliate of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Its goal is to help Kenyan students obtain up-to-date, accurate, and unbiased information on higher education studies in the United States. The EducationUSA Center in Nairobi is the one stop shop for all the requirements and processes students need to make their experience memorable and their journey to higher education in the U.S. successful.

POSITION OVERVIEW AND SCOPE OF WORK

Under the general supervision of the Education Adviser or Cultural Affairs Officer, the Assistant EducationUSA Adviser provides services for Kenyan students seeking information about educational opportunities in the U.S. at the EducationUSA Advising Center in the Embassy, and conducts outreach at the American Spaces in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ADVISING: 50%

Student Advising

• Advises Kenyan students on admissions, financial aid, college and university selection, testing, essay writing, and pre-departure orientation through individual advising, as well as by phone and email
• Meets with walk in students and advises the students
• Plans Skype sessions and information sessions at the U.S. Embassy every Thursday

Cohort Advising

• Advises the EducationUSA Scholars and guides them on college and university selection admissions, financial aid, SAT or ACT testing, essay writing, and pre-departure orientation through individual advising, as well as by phone and email
• Overseeing the EducationUSA Scholars program application, selection, orientation and advising process. Assisting the Scholars on the application process for admission to U.S. universities

Boot Camps

• Plans and executes specialized application requirement workshops for prospective students and for the EducationUSA Scholars, in line with the application requirements
• Plans and executes boot camps for college preparation in Nairobi and Nakuru

OUTREACH 10%

• Organizes and conducts select public engagement programs to promote EducationUSA for students and parents to meet; the Assistant EducationUSA Adviser or the Adviser and or U.S. universities Admissions officers in a bid to increase knowledge and awareness of U.S higher education institutions

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 5%

• Catalogues EducationUSA books and manages the EducationUSA books inventory and the distribution of the inventory in collaboration with the American Reference Center staff.

ADVISING CENTER MANAGEMENT 35%

• Creates appointments for the EducationUSA Adviser
• Does the administrative work of the advising center
• Records, keeps and submits monthly data of the number of people that have received advising services at the Advising office at the Embassy and at the American spaces

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Only graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited U.S. institution should apply. At least 4 years of work experience in a junior management role that relates to the duties and responsibilities listed above. State Department alumni  are preferred. The successful applicant will have to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct and pass a rigorous background check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Must have demonstrated the potential to accomplish the type of work to be performed
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse environment
• Able to work effectively with minimal supervision, prioritize numerous competing interests, coordinate multiple tasks, adapt to changing requirements in a varied and fast-paced environment
• Flexible, reliable, creative, resourceful and able to work as part of a dynamic team
• Strong hands-on ICT skills and demonstrated ability to master new technologies
• Excellent customer service-skills and attention to detail
• Good command of both written and spoken English is required
• Able to commit 40 hours per week at the EducationUSA Advising Center in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and Kisumu
• Ability to develop and deliver creative oral and written presentations
• Experience with American Spaces and/or State Department exchange programs is preferred
• Ability to develop and deliver creative oral and written presentations