Training Manager

Department

Graduate School of Media and Communications

Location

The Aga Khan University, Nairobi

Introduction

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is a pioneering institution of higher education whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond, through world-class teaching, research and health-care delivery. AKU educates students for local and global leadership from campuses and teaching hospitals in six countries, primarily in Asia and Africa. It generates new knowledge to solve problems that affect millions of people, especially the most vulnerable. The University is a private, not-for-profit institution and an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Launched in 2015, the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC) is the premier source of education and tailored training for journalists, communicators and media executives and entrepreneurs in East Africa and beyond. Guided by the principles of global excellence and local relevance, GSMC helps individuals to transform their careers and organizations to seize on opportunities and reap the benefits of innovation.​

Chartered June 2021, the Aga Khan University Kenya is located opposite the Aga Khan University Hospital in Parklands, Nairobi. The University Centre is the main campus in Kenya and houses the Graduate School of Media and Communications, Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute for Human Development, Brain and Mind Institute and other programmes.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Dean, GSMC, the Training Manager will be responsible for all non-academic training programs. The incumbent will plan, coordinate and implement the annual training calendar; direct program staff; liaise with sponsors, funders and partner organizations; work with staff and facilitators to develop curricula, package online modules, and develop new delivery modalities. They will be expected to develop and manage project budgets and the unit’s annual budget and meet quarterly financial targets.

Key Responsibilities

Generate revenue through training initiatives

• Design and develop relevant short courses, executive education programmes, workshops, masterclasses, boot camps and other professional learning initiatives

Grant Management

• Identify training related grant opportunities and coordinate the preparation and submission of funding proposals
• Management of training related grants activities.
• Monitoring and evaluation of grant funded trainings.

Contribute to the academic programmes

• Work with faculty and relevant university departments to ensure the quality and relevance of training content

Strategic planning of resources

• Provide strategic and operational management support for all non - academic training programs
• Spearheading the optimization of available resources for a greater cost saving through adaptation of modernized tools and techniques
• Active support for program monitoring for performance
• Develop and manage project budgets and the unit’s annual budget and meet quarterly financial targets

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage industry partners to identify training needs, co-design programmes and explore opportunities for collaboration.
• Develop partnerships for commissioned training, institutional capacity-building programmes and customised executive education.
• Identify opportunities for sponsored training, scholarships, grants and other mechanisms that widen access to professional development.
• Represent the School at relevant industry forums, professional networks, conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• Maintain strong relationships with programme alumni and participating organisations to support continuous learning and future training opportunities.

Administration

• Plan, coordinate and implement the annual training calendar;
• Lead the marketing and programs team by providing continuous feedback for the improvement of systems and compliance
• Work with staff and freelancer trainers to develop curricula, package online modules and develop new delivery modalities

Relevant Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• At least a Masters Degree or higher, in Communications, Media, Business Administration or another relevant field
• At least five years’ experience in project management in the media and communications field, some of which should be in training.
• In-depth knowledge of digital training tools and methods; familiarity with the shifting skills needs for media and communication professionals, the creative industry, leadership and management
• Proven ability to develop and manage budgets and databases.
• Grant applications, management of training related grants and monitoring and evaluation of grant funded trainings
• Willingness to travel to field sites and train off-site at frequent intervals for monitoring and supervision.
• Ability to train various courses within the PDCE and Executive education programme and where relevant, provide instructional support to the academic programmes