Business Analyst Consultant

ABOUT ALU

At the African Leadership University (ALU), we're more than just an institution—we're a catalyst for transformation. Our mission is to develop a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders who will shape Africa's future. Through our innovative curriculum, focus on experiential learning, and vibrant pan-African community, we empower students to become changemakers, problem-solvers, and innovators. At ALU, we're not just teaching; we're nurturing the leaders who will drive Africa's progress and prosperity in the 21st century.

HOW WE WORK

As a high-growth start-up, the ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

The Business Analyst Consultant is a highly analytical and strategic individual who will contribute to the university's success by providing data-driven insights and recommendations to optimize operations and achieve strategic objectives. This role involves conducting risk assessments, reviewing processes, tracking OKRs, and analyzing business performance data to identify opportunities for improvement. The Business Analyst Consultant will collaborate closely with various stakeholders across the university, leveraging their expertise to enhance decision-making and drive positive change.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential challenges and threats to the university's operations and strategic goals.
• Analyze risks, evaluate their potential impact, and develop mitigation strategies to minimize negative consequences.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement risk management plans and monitor their effectiveness.

Process Review and Optimization:

• Review and analyze existing processes across different departments and functions to identify areas for improvement and efficiency gains.
• Develop process maps, flowcharts, and other documentation to visualize and analyze workflows.
• Recommend process improvements, including automation, streamlining, and standardization, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

OKR Tracking and Analysis:

• Track and analyze progress towards organizational OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), providing regular updates and insights to leadership.
• Identify areas where OKRs are not being met and recommend corrective actions.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure alignment between individual, departmental, and organizational OKRs.

Business Performance Tracking and Reporting:

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) across the organization, tracking progress against strategic goals.
• Develop dashboards and reports that provide clear and concise visualizations of business performance data.
• Identify trends, patterns, and areas of concern in business performance and provide recommendations for improvement.

Student and Alumni Engagement Analysis:

• Analyze student and alumni engagement data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement in programs and services.
• Conduct surveys, focus groups, and other research to gather insights into student and alumni needs and preferences.
• Develop data-driven recommendations to enhance student and alumni engagement and satisfaction.

Strategic Initiative Evaluation:

• Assess the effectiveness of various strategic and operational initiatives, using data and analytics to measure impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop evaluation frameworks and methodologies to measure the success of initiatives against defined objectives.
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of future initiatives.

Student Acquisition and Retention:

• Develop data-driven strategies to improve student acquisition and retention rates.
• Analyze enrollment trends, identify key factors influencing student choices, and recommend targeted interventions.
• Collaborate with marketing and admissions teams to optimize recruitment strategies and enhance the student experience.

Digital Platform Optimization:

• Evaluate user experiences within the university's digital platforms, including websites, learning management systems, and student portals.
• Conduct user research, analyze user feedback, and identify areas for improvement in platform design and functionality.
• Recommend enhancements to digital platforms to improve student satisfaction, engagement, and success.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate effectively with academic, corporate, and operational teams to optimize system usage and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Provide insights and recommendations from a business and management perspective to support decision-making across departments.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects, applying knowledge of business strategy, operational efficiency, and stakeholder management

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Data Analysis, or a related field.
• MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in business analysis or data analysis, preferably in a higher education context.
• Strong analytical skills with a proficiency in interpreting educational data.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and marketing analytics tools relevant to higher education is a plus.

Functional Competencies:

• Business Analysis: Expertise in conducting risk assessments, process analysis, and data analysis to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in statistical analysis, data visualization, and reporting.
• Project Management: Ability to manage projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze data and trends to develop strategic recommendations.
• System Optimization: Knowledge of how to optimize systems and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Core Competencies:

• Communication and Collaboration: Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and foster collaboration across departments.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Skills in analyzing complex situations, identifying root causes, and developing solutions.
• Initiative and Proactiveness: Ability to take initiative, identify opportunities for improvement, and proactively address challenges.
• Presentation and Reporting: Skills in presenting data and insights in a clear and concise manner to various audiences.