Student Success Associate

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

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

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.

THE ROLE

The Student Success Associate will be responsible for key work streams within the Student Success team. This team is responsible for ensuring that all students have sufficient command of the English language to succeed in their academic programmes and beyond, with a particular focus on reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. Their role essentially consists of assessing and monitoring the English proficiency of students across all cohorts, and to design and implement remedial or support initiatives as well as enhancement opportunities that match the student needs and interests. They also support the programme teams on various matters related to academic support and foster a positive culture towards reading, listening, speaking and writing within the student body. This role will primarily focus on overseeing English Immersion, monitoring the English proficiency of recently admitted students and devising and implementing interventions that support them to cope with the English language demands of university education. The role will be based in Kigali, Rwanda.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to defining and periodically updating the overarching framework and approach to developing English proficiency with a particular focus on communication.
• Design and oversee the administration of a robust and reliable English Proficiency Assessment to admitted students at each intake.
• Lead the delivery of ALU’s English Language bridging programmes (Programmes designed to help students reach B2+ level of proficiency). 
• Determine and design the portfolio of additional Student Success offerings and student services that may be needed to address English language related support needs of recently admitted students.
• Prepare regular reports and insights on student performance, trends in language proficiency, and the effectiveness of support initiatives, to inform data-driven support.
• Coordinate logistical arrangements for the English Immersion Program, English proficiency tests, and student support initiatives, in collaboration with departments such as Finance and Student Life, to ensure smooth implementation.
• Ensure that Student Success products and services remain consonant with latest trends and developments in language support and assessment worldwide.
• Support the learning development department as a whole on cross-functional projects and initiatives related to student support and enhancement.
• Such other duties in respect of the Company as may be reasonably assigned by their line manager.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards.

REQUIREMENTS

The basics

• A Bachelor’s degree (minimum) preferably in fields related to education and learning support or English and communication.
• Experience in the design and administration of standardised English proficiency tests
• Experience in working with students, preferably in an academic setting
• Experience in English language instruction
• Excellent instructional design skills
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity and the confidence to adopt an experimental and iterative approach finding new and creative ways of addressing student support needs.
• Strong organisational skills, ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once
• Excellent written, verbal communication and research skills

What gets us excited

• A Master’s degree in fields related to education and learning support
• Experience in UX design or learning experience design
• Tech savviness: ability to quickly learn to use new technologies, software and tools
• Experience working at a higher education institution in Africa
• Experience working in a startup environment