Job Name: Future Education Officer

Reports to Head of Future Education.

To support the Future Education Department by developing relationships with universities and scholarship organizations within Kenya and abroad, preparing students and parents for life after secondary school (i.e. via the gap year program) and guiding them through the admissions process (both KUCCPS, HELB, and international applications). Assist with the secondary school scholarship program, providing support to SHOFCO graduates as they attend secondary school – specifically focusing on scholarship opportunities through partnerships and aiding in the application process. As students continue in their post-secondary school journey, prepare them for success in the job market (i.e. assist with internship placement). As the Future Education officer, you will assist with project management tasks such as budgeting, workplans, reporting, etc.

Key Responsibilities and Job Dimensions

1.Secondary School Support

• Guide SHOFCO Grade 9 students in completion of scholarship applications.
• Maintain existing relationships with partner scholarship organizations as well as monitor the landscape for new opportunities.
• Ensure SHOFCO graduates and parents understand the university admissions and higher education in Kenya and are prepared for the transition.
• Work with program coordinators to exposure students to university (i.e. tours of local universities) and leadership opportunities (i.e. ALA camps).
• Stay up to date on the changes in the education sector within Kenya in order to support students properly (i.e. CBC, changes to TVET process, financing model, etc.)

2.Gap Year Program

• Support students and families to navigate the university/TVET application process, including guiding students on course/institution selection.
• Manage relationships with KUCCPS, HELB, HEF, and other key stakeholders in higher education.
• Guide students to submit quality applications for external scholarship, both for university, gap year programs, and professional fellowships (i.e. check documents, review essays, etc.)
• Write recommendations for students to include in their university/internship applications.
• Develop a Gap year program for secondary school graduates to participate in ahead of joining university; inclusive of financial literacy, computer literacy, mental health, and advanced SRH training, maximizing on internal SHOFCO partnerships with other departments.
• Ensure students report to school on time.

3.Post-Secondary School Support

• Proactively research scholarship opportunities and aim to develop relationships with universities in Kenya and abroad by sharing the SHOFCO story with the goal of securing placements for graduates.
• Organize and implement yearly annual workshop, focusing on career opportunities and jobs of the future.
• Develop relationship with students and track their academic performance and social well-being.
• Guide students to form an alumni program, to do things such as mentor younger SHOFCO students.
• Encourage students to find mentors.

4.Job Market Support

• Proactively look for job and training opportunities and share with graduates.
• Assist students in creating job portfolios for academic internships and transitioning to job market.
• Organize workshops on CV building, interview skills, and how to search/apply for jobs.

5.Project Management / Officer related tasks.

• Represent SHOFCO and the Future Education Department at various conferences/meetings; proactively seeking opportunities that will benefit the organization and following-through on such.
• Work to find measures to track progress of SHOFCO graduates and impact of SHOFCO on their lives and that of their family (metrics and evaluations).
• Work with the finance, procurement, and inventory team to ensure smooth running of the Future Education department.
• Work with head of department on yearly work plan and budget.
• Ensure compliance with finance/procurement department guidelines.

6.Support Future Education / SHOFCO colleagues

• Aid in the development of a socio-emotional/leadership curriculum to be delivered to SHOFCO graduates during secondary school breaks.
• Assist the team when called upon during the holiday programs.
• Build strong relationship with SHOFCO primary schools and partner to support students.
• Build strong relationships with other SHOFCO departments and stay up to date on their programs so as to connect students, parents, and team members to benefit.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills)

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in any related field

Other requirements (unique/job specific)

• At Least 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Key knowledge of post-secondary school transition process (i.e. KUCCPS, HELB, HEF, TVET, etc.)
• At Least 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• College and career counselling.
• Project management (i.e. work plans, budgets).
• Microsoft and Google Suite (word, excel, PowerPoint, zoom, Google Meets).
• Strong writing skills (i.e. emails, reports).
• Build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders.