Program Manager

Elimisha Kakuma is seeking a Program Manager to support the implementation and growth of its academic and college access programming. The Program Manager will work closely with the college counseling and academic teams to implement and expand Elimisha’s academic curriculum, strengthen individual student support, and contribute to initiatives including managing strategic partnerships, social media/communications, and fundraising. This role is designed to balance student-facing program management (approximately 70%) with program development (approximately 30%).

On the student-facing side, the Program Manager will oversee and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Elimisha learning center in Kakuma. This includes planning and delivering courses, coordinating term schedules, monitoring student attendance and well-being, tracking academic progress, coordinating curriculum delivery, communicating with teachers, and ensuring the smooth implementation of program activities.

On the strategic development side, the Program Manager serves as the conduit between events and daily life for EK students, and other EK teams for fundraising, donor relations, and social media.

While Elimisha Kakuma operates with an annual program plan, we are seeking a candidate who can also contribute to the ongoing development and expansion of the academic program, including strengthening curriculum design, coordinating individualized student support, and cultivating external partnerships that enhance opportunities for students.

Key responsibilities

Teaching
• Teach courses in academic writing and in areas such as digital literacy, seminar, language lab, Standardized testing preparation (DET, SAT), career exploration
• Further develop the existing curriculum
• Develop and teach university-level courses based on the instructor’s area of expertise (e.g., Intro to Sociology; Intro to Neuroscience; Intro to Philosophy)
• College application guidance
• Work closely with the college counselling team and US-based mentors on students’ college essays from brainstorming to final polishing
• Compile and track data on students’ applications and material
• Write individualized letters of recommendation for each student
• Prepare student academic reports (EK transcript)

Program Management and Delivery
• Plan and implement programs, including Elimisha curricula; individualized tutoring for students; scheduling terms
• Coordinate program activities including family days, graduation, field trips, trips to Nairobi for documentation appointments (visas, CTDs, etc.)
• Coordinate student internships throughout the year, meeting with intern partners and students to ensure students complete necessary deliverables
• Supervise and maintain regular communication with tutors, volunteer teachers, and interns

Team Coordination
• Coordinate with Facilitator to support student needs on the ground
• Coordinate with volunteers or partners for on-site visits to EK

Monitoring & Evaluation
• Develop and implement strategies to track program outcomes

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
• Coordinate with host family team for placement, ensuring students’ financial aid summaries are clear
• Develop opportunities to maintain alumni connection
• Nurture relationships with Department Refugee of Services (DRS), UNHCR, WUSC

Fundraising and Grant Writing
• Work closely with fundraising team to identify, collect material for, and contribute to applications for funding opportunities

Social Media
• Develop content to connect donors and followers to Elimisha’s daily activities for social media
• Write monthly letter to subscribers on on-the-grounds operations, emphasizing student experience

Qualifications: Education & Experience

Required
• Bachelor’s degree or at least four years of relevant experience in the education sector
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to develop and lead new projects

Preferred
• Experience in education or other programs with social impact focus, preferably refugee contexts
• Experience managing teams and working as part of a team

Skills/Characteristics
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to take initiative
• Commitment to EK’s core values
• Strong writing skills and ability to effectively teach academic writing
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Strength in navigating new cultures and communicating with diverse groups,
• Strong collaborative skills
• Ability to adapt to new and often challenging contexts

Location

This role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya with regular site visits to Kakuma Refugee Camp. The Program Manager should have or be able to secure a passport and visas to travel to the US and elsewhere when necessary, for annual team meetings, conferences, or fundraising pitches.

Elimisha Kakuma does not have dedicated office space in Nairobi, though the program manager will work closely remotely, or in person, with the College Counselor while in Nairobi.

Compensation & Benefits

The Program Manager will receive a monthly stipend of $1,500.

When traveling to Kakuma, all flights, meals and accommodation will be covered by the organization. For conferences, meetings and pitches, all flights and accommodation will be reimbursed, while a small stipend for food will be provided.

The Program Manager will receive one annual round-trip flight home (if needed)

Time commitment

The successful candidate should be willing to commit to remain with EK for three years. For the first year they will shadow and report to the Academic Director.