Project Lead, AI Skilling Initiative – Africa

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Nigeria, +3 more countries.

📋 Description

• Oversee the comprehensive execution of a multi-country initiative focused on youth AI literacy and skills development across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

• Take responsibility for country-level strategies, work plans, milestones, budgets, outputs, outcomes, compliance, reporting, risk management, data privacy, and youth safeguarding.

• Direct the youth engagement process from initial exposure to active learning and practical application of skills.

• Establish channel strategies and conversion goals across social media, creator-led initiatives, partnerships, paid promotions, and in-person engagements.

• Manage relationships with marketing agencies, creative contractors, youth ambassadors, and creator networks.

• Adapt program content into regionally relevant messaging and formats tailored for young audiences.

• Implement analytics, marketing automation, and AI-driven tools to monitor reach, engagement, completion rates, and retention.

• Develop lifecycle engagement strategies to encourage participants to progress to more advanced learning stages.

• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for the funder, supporting renewal, extension, and scaling opportunities.

• Define learning objectives and curriculum standards; evaluate and approve educational content and digital learning pathways.

• Ensure that learning experiences are accessible on low-end devices, with limited data, and available in local languages.

• Oversee delivery consortium partners and technical collaborators, including selection, due diligence, onboarding, sub-award management, and performance evaluation.

• Serve as Budget Holder, ensuring fiscal oversight, forecasting, expenditure tracking, and implementing corrective measures as necessary.

• Utilize adaptive management and youth-centered methodologies.

• Validate participation and learning outcomes through credible, privacy-respecting methods.

• Promote a learning agenda and generate evidence for funders and the broader sector.

• Supervise country-level Program Officers, project staff, and consultants across four markets and varying time zones.

• Represent the initiative to partners, institutions, and public audiences within the region.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing complex, multi-country programs, or equivalent senior experience in leading growth, product, or operations at scale in technology or digital education sectors.

• Extensive work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in youth employment, digital skills, education, or workforce development.

• Proven ability to drive measurable audience growth and conversion metrics, including reach, engagement, completion, and retention.

• Experience in learning design, curriculum development, or skills training for youth or adult learners.

• Experience in managing marketing or creative agencies, contractors, and partnerships with creators or influencers.

• Proficiency in digital analytics, CRM or marketing automation systems, and emerging AI-enabled tools.

• Experience overseeing implementing partners and sub-awards across multiple countries, including due diligence, compliance, and performance management.

• Proven history of delivering results for corporate, technology, or foundation funders, including reporting against established targets.

• Outstanding organizational and project management abilities.

• Strong and persuasive communication skills in English, both spoken and written.

• Proficiency in a language commonly spoken in target markets, such as Kiswahili, Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, Twi, or isiZulu, is highly desirable.

• Strong coaching and leadership skills.

• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with MS Office products and other software platforms utilized by IYF.

• Willingness to travel frequently within Africa and internationally as required.

• A Bachelor’s degree alongside relevant experience is acceptable; a Master’s degree is strongly preferred.

• Legal authorization to work and reside in the country of hire.

🏝️ Benefits

• Opportunities for staff learning and development.

• Career advancement support.

• Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Flexibility to work remotely.

• Frequent travel opportunities within Africa and internationally as needed.