Founder Academy Senior Associate: Rwanda

ABOUT ALX AFRICA

ALX Africa, a non-profit organisation under the ALX Foundation, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa's digital future. Formerly part of Sand Tech Holdings, we've embarked on an independent journey to provide world-class tech skills training and career acceleration programmes. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide, upskill and reskill talent, and create a generation of innovative leaders. By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable tech careers.

With hubs in 8 cities across Africa and counting, we provide safe access to quality learning and a dedicated network of expert instructors. Our innovative programmes equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving tech industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, and hands-on projects, we prepare our students for in-demand roles in software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

We achieve this by:

• Providing young professionals with access to the most in-demand tech skills that will power the future.
• Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through challenging, real-world coursework.
• Building a lifelong, impactful community of tech professionals that support them at all stages of their career journey. 

 Visit our website www.alxafrica.com to learn more about our digital revolution.

ABOUT THE ALX VENTURES TEAM

At ALX Ventures, we are not just building businesses—we're building a future. Our mission is to empower 2,000 visionary founders every year, with the aim of creating 2 million jobs in Africa by 2030, in partnership with Sand Technologies. To date, we've helped 450 entrepreneurs take their first steps, with 50 of them selected for our elite, intensive accelerator programme designed to propel them to success.

Why Choose ALX Ventures?

• Founder Academy Incubator: Startups in our programme don’t just survive; they thrive. We guide them in creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), developing a compelling pitch deck, and mastering the lean canvas model—three critical deliverables that set the foundation for success.
• Accelerator Programme: Once the basics are established, we take founders further. Our accelerator is designed to make participants investor-ready, helping them secure the funding and partnerships needed to scale their businesses.
• Customised Support: Our programme is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We co-create the accelerator experience with our startups, continuously iterating based on real-time feedback and emerging needs. This ensures that each entrepreneur receives the guidance they need to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
• Expert Network: We connect our startups with a vast network of industry experts, corporate partners, and seasoned founders who are eager to mentor, advise, and support the next generation of leaders.
• Holistic Approach: Success isn’t just about business acumen—it's also about mental and emotional resilience. That’s why our accelerator includes a comprehensive well-being course, helping founders build the strong mindset and core values necessary to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Programme Senior Associate (Consultant) to join our Rwanda Entrepreneurship team on a consulting basis. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the end-to-end execution of our Founder Academy, which includes bootcamps for 500+ participants in Rwanda and an additional online programme.

In addition to the bootcamp, a separate Ideation Sprint will be conducted to help participants take their ideas from concept to validation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Management:

• Coordinate and oversee the Founder Academy bootcamps, both in-person (Kigali) and online.
• Develop and execute messaging strategies for marketing the programmes to potential applicants.
• Manage the application process, including applicant review and selection.
• Run the day-to-day operations of the bootcamps, ensuring a seamless experience for all participants.

Ideation Sprint:

• Plan and execute a separate ideation sprint, guiding participants through refining their business ideas and moving towards validation.
• Conduct workshops on ideation techniques, market research, prototyping, and customer validation.
• Provide ongoing support for participants in completing three key deliverables (MVP, pitch deck, and lean canvas) throughout the programme.
• Review and provide feedback on participant deliverables.

Graduation & Certification:

• Organise and facilitate the graduation ceremony, ensuring that all participants receive their certification upon successful completion of the programme.

Incubator Programme Support:

• Support weekly pitch practice sessions for participants in the Accelerator Programme.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on participants' weekly deliverables.

REQUIREMENTS

• Proven 3+ years of experience in programme coordination or event management, preferably in an educational or entrepreneurial setting.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any field (Preferred).
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and marketing skills, with a knack for crafting compelling messages.
• Experience in facilitating ideation and validation processes, with a strong understanding of startup methodologies.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with key partners and stakeholders, including innovation hubs, business schools, and other skills development programmes.
• Ability to work independently and handle responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with entrepreneurship and accelerator programmes is a plus.

Other Requirements:

• Availability to be in Kigali for the full duration of the consulting contract.
• Flexibility to work on-site as required.

Person Specification/Attributes:

• Courage: Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges.
• Humility: Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others.
• Adventure: A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey.
• Initiative: Proactive problem-solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

ALX Ventures isn’t just a programme—it’s a movement. We offer the flexibility to adapt our approach to what works best for our founders, ensuring that each participant is equipped to succeed on their own terms.

Partner with us, support Africa's brightest minds, and be a part of the continent’s most exciting entrepreneurial revolution.

This role requires the candidate to be based in Kigali for the duration of the contract, to oversee the programmes and manage relationships with local partners.

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