About Kepler
The challenge: All across sub-Saharan Africa, millions of young people struggle every day with access to education and employment – and the kinds of livelihoods that lead to economic security and mobility for themselves and their families. Every young person deserves the chance to be educated; every young person deserves the opportunity to have a meaningful job.
Who we are: Kepler is a non-profit higher education program that is building a transformative model of education-to-employment services for these young people across the region. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the economic mobility of thousands of individuals, families, and communities in all of our countries of operation. We want to reimagine what higher education can look like in sub-Saharan Africa.
What we do: Through a rigorous curriculum of in-person, online, and on-the-job learning, students graduate with the relevant skills and the right attitude to meet the needs of the changing global economy. We partner closely with Southern New Hampshire University in the US.
Our history: Kepler launched in Rwanda in 2013. Our 50+ staff currently serve 550 students across two campuses in Rwanda – our flagship campus in Kigali, as well as a second campus in the Kiziba refugee camp in Western Rwanda, where we serve refugee learners.
The future: Currently, all Kepler students earn their degrees through our degree partner Southern New Hampshire University and that will continue to be a key part of the Kepler model. In parallel, we are starting to provide a bachelor’s degree through Kepler College, which is accredited in Rwanda. Kepler has an ambitious new strategy for the next five years to offer young people in the region different pathways to employment by partnering with other public and private sector universities and reaching a new level of organizational sustainability.
About the position
Kepler is hiring an Assistant Lecturer for Communications in the Faculty of Management. We are looking for a talented educator with strong skills in leadership, management, communications, business, education, work ethics, and related fields. The role will focus on facilitating student-centered learning and conducting the project-based assessments.
The Assistant Lecturer will also conduct related activities to support students and Kepler as an organization in constant learning and improvement, including creating, documenting, and sharing best practices. The role includes developing structured lessons, adapting the curriculum to best meet student needs, analyzing and utilizing data to support diverse learners, and collaborating with colleagues to holistically develop and support all students at Kepler.
In contrast to traditional lecturing positions, Assistant Lecturers at Kepler are focused on creating student learning experiences that are active and encourage students to be self-guided learners.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach Communications modules in compliance with Kepler policies and procedures
- Regularly evaluate student learning through competency/project-based assessments, including both formative and summative assessments and provide clear and actionable feedback to students
- Conduct and facilitate other forms of assessments as specified in Kepler academic and assessment policies.
- Utilize student data to make informed decisions to guarantee all student progress through the curriculum
- Create or modify lesson plans as needed in the specified format provided
- Build courses (curriculum delivery and communication regarding curriculum) through a Learning Management System
- Under the direction of the faculty leadership, collaborate with the Learning and Design team in planning and implementing new learning content
- Conduct student office hours and create other channels for open and positive communication with students
- Participate in various activities such as meetings, workshops and seminars as may be scheduled from time to time
- Undertake any other activities assigned from time to time by the Dean of Faculty or Subject Manager
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a field of study relevant to Communications, English education, or other related fields
- Experience in helping others learn (either in a formal education setting or less formally through mentoring, management, coaching, etc.)
- Ability to support students in their various learning needs
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and networking skills
- Good command of English as a language of instruction
- Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Proven ability to work independently as well as work collaboratively with colleagues to productively contribute to teams
- Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects and competing and conflicting priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment
- Working knowledge of Microsoft and Google suites
- Willingness to experiment, try things out, fail fast, and learn constantly
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
- Doctorate degree in English, Communications, or related field
- At least 1 year of teaching experience at the university level, preferably in the East African Community or demonstrated a strong ability to support the learning of others in a professional setting
- Experience in program or training curriculum development, either in academic or other professional settings, ideally with a focus on employability and using competency/project-based learning
- Demonstrated adaptability and commitment to innovation in Learning and Teaching pedagogy
- Experience evaluating the effectiveness of programs and making recommendations for improvements
- Experience working in a leadership position
Reports to: Subject Manager, Communications
Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Health insurance
- 18 days/year for annual leave
- Additional days of vacation during December and April break
Kepler is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and enhance our organizational capability. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, ethnicity, gender, religion, or other category protected by law.
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