Alumni Network Design Intern

The context: 

Across the developing world, more children than ever are in school – but they are not learning. A recent study estimated that less than 1% of school children in Sub-Saharan Africa attend a school where the teaching meets basic standards of quality. At Rising Academies, we’re changing that, and we want your help. Our mission is to create the best schools and the most powerful teaching and learning tools for the people that need it most. We’re one of the fastest-growing quality-focused education companies in Africa, and a Certified B Corp®. 

About us:

We own and operate our own great value private schools, partner with governments to improve the quality of public school systems, and use our content and technology to help other education providers. Founded in Sierra Leone in 2014, we provided emergency education to children kept out of school by the Ebola Epidemic before opening our first school in April 2015. Today, we serve more than 250,000 students across more than 900 schools in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and now Rwanda.

Through great curriculum, intensive teacher coaching and actionable data, we help teachers and school leaders bring quality to every classroom. And we get results: show Rising students make more than twice the progress of their peers in comparable schools. In June 2024, one of our private schools in Sierra Leone - Rising Academy Waterloo - was shortlisted in the Top 10 for the World's Best School Prizes in the Overcoming Adversity category. Sierra Leone's Minister for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Mr. Conrad Sackey, .

About the role:

Rising Academies turned 10 years old recently and we are using this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on our journey and to strengthen our relationship and collaboration with the students and communities we serve. We are looking for an exceptional intern to join our Program team at Rising. The Alumni Network Intern will focus on creating structures and programs for our growing alumni network.

The Alumni Network Design Intern will:

• Design a structured framework for an effective alumni network.
• Create an annual alumni engagement program, outlining key touchpoints and activities.
• Establish  systems and processes for managing alumni relationships.
• Explore potential implementation connections between Sierra Leone and Ghana.

Location and reporting

This is a full-time internship, based in Sierra Leone, with potential work in Ghana. Intern will work closely with our Private Schools team in Sierra Leone with support from the MD.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The target start-date will be June 2025 or earlier.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a masters degree in Education Management, Public Policy, Program Management or a related field.
• Previous work experience or internship in evaluating, refining, designing and establishing programs for stakeholders is a plus.
• Experience working in a developing country is a plus.
• You have strong commitment to the mission and organisational ethos of Rising Academies 
• You have outstanding people skills and ability to work across boundaries
• You are a strong communicator, able to motivate, challenge and support your team members as well as work well independently.
• You are very well organized, have an eye for details and have a grip on implementation.
• You set high standards for yourself and others, and go the extra mile to get things done.
• You are passionate about improving the quality of education across the continent.
• You have the highest levels of integrity and trustworthiness.
• You are good at quickly building rapport and building relationships with all stakeholders

Compensation and Benefits

This position is unpaid, but we can provide in-country work-related transport, and other arrangements.

Rising is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, family or parental status, veteran or disability status.

Rising is committed to creating a culture within the organisation, and its schools, that recognises the importance of safeguarding children and prioritising their rights and needs. We strive to uphold international safeguarding standards, and keep the safety and well-being of our students at the heart of what we do. All Rising employees are expected to abide by the Child Protection Policy, and to have the same level of commitment to protect children from harm. Safeguarding questions are part of every interview process and all Rising employees undergo reference checks before joining the organisation.