What we do

Kepler uses competency-based, active learning methods to train university and TVET graduates with key soft skills that are relevant to the needs of the job market. Kepler produces individual outcomes grounded in practical and professional skills. Trainees learn self-awareness and the ability to articulate and leverage their areas of strength and weakness. The curriculum focuses on key skills in Professionalism, Communication, and Technology. Problem solving skills are explicitly taught and integrated into all the modules. All content, tools, and activities are based on actual work practices or scenarios one could expect to encounter on the job.

About the Role

The Academics and Programs Manager position at Kepler Ethiopia is a newly created position in the organization to assign an inspired academic leader to design and implement innovative and relevant training programs in Ethiopia, which can transform the employability potentials of university/TVET graduates in Ethiopia. The Academics and Programs Manager leads all the academic work, developing and adapting the curriculum, developing and implementing the academic and careers strategy in Ethiopia, leading trainees’ admission and learning process, collecting and utilizing data to support diverse learners. In addition, the manager is responsible for ensuring alignment of Kepler Ethiopia programs with Kepler’s overall academic policies and procedures through the VC of Kepler.

Job Responsibilities

• Initiate and oversee the design and implementation of Kepler training programs in Ethiopia
• Lead the hiring, onboarding, training of academic staff and careers staff
• Design and lead the academic and careers staff PD
• Lead the academic (trainee) data collection and storage in collaboration with the Data and Learning team
• Collaborate with the Learning and Design team in designing and adapting the curriculum of the Kepler programs in Ethiopia
• Administer trainee and trainer assessments to assist in measuring performance and offering support
• Provide feedback on the program, curriculum and various stakeholders within the organization on a timely manner
• Lead the design of additional academic programs at scale in collaboration with the Learning and Design team and Academic Leadership Team
• Lead the trainees’ admission and onboarding in the Kepler academic programs
• Provide overall academic leadership for Kepler Ethiopia, including directly managing programs coordinators and careers guidance staff
• Benchmark and implement online, in-person and blended learning teaching techniques to support program innovation
• Create and manage the academic team budget, scheduling, and staffing
• Create and manage internship and employment strategy, opportunities, and outcomes for trainees in Ethiopia
• Supervise and coordinate academic projects led by program coordinators, trainers, and careers guidance staff
• Develop and manage a system to allow staff and trainees to provide feedback on curriculum, schedules, and teaching strategies
• Collaborate with the Operations and Finance teams to ensure availability of materials needed for effective academic and career guidance, and employer relations work
• Support the management of trainee disciplinary issues and all academic services
• Plan and run team meetings and communicate with appropriate external teams
• Other duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.

Reports to: Country Director

Desired Qualifications

• At least five years experience in education leadership
• A Masters degree and above in education, engineering-related fields, business, management with experience in education.
• Has business experience working with big organizations in Ethiopia;
• Must legally have the right to work in Ethiopia
• Highly motivated with a passion for education/training
• Demonstrates a strong desire to implement education through innovative models
• Has high expectations of herself/himself, believes in high expectations for others and behaves professionally in all settings
• Has the ability to be creative and innovative in the way that education can be created and delivered to university/TVET graduates
• Is open and willing to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback from all stakeholders within the organization including trainees, colleagues and supervisors;
• Displays ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in written and verbal formats;
• Excels at building and maintaining relationships, online and offline;
• Possesses functional knowledge and/or personal experience with technology: Microsoft Suite, Google Drive, Google Chrome;
• Thrives in a dynamic environment and believes that change leads to progress.
• Demonstrates a strong desire to implement education through a process model of learning, implementing, reflecting, revising and re-implementing
• Has high expectations of herself/himself, believes in high expectations for others and behaves professionally in all settings
• Excellent in written and spoken English language