Job Summary
The HESA Programme Officer is responsible for the full operational delivery of the Higher Education Student Assistance (HESA) programme across Africa, covering both university and TVET streams. The role manages the complete application and selection cycle, oversees budget utilisation and disbursement processes, ensures timely and accurate reporting, and coordinates with national and regional stakeholders to ensure consistent implementation of HESA central policies adapted to local contexts. The Programme Officer ensures that eligible students are selected transparently, funded on time, and monitored effectively to achieve programme targets.
The position will be based in Kenya or Tanzania (with regional travel as required). It reports directly to the Global Programme Head at the Department of Jamati Institutions, with a dotted‑line reporting to the Council Executive Officer, who coordinates the Programme Officer’s work with EB Chairs across Africa. The Programme Officer works closely with the HESA Global Team, EO & EB Chairs, GRBs, and Finance teams across the region.
Responsibilities:
Programme Operations & Coordination
- Work under the strategic direction of the HESA Global Programme Head.
- Seek support from AKEB (for TVET), SWB (for needs assessment), and other Boards as required.
- Ensure decisions requiring input from DJI are escalated appropriately.
- Maintain updated application forms, eligibility criteria, and templates; provide application support across the Africa region in a timely manner.
- Track applicant pipeline by country and category and highlight any discrepancies to relevant stakeholders
- Prepare panel packs, scoring sheets, and needs assessment summaries.
- Support issuing of award and denial letters within agreed timelines.
- Manage appeals window and coordinate Appeals Committee processes.
- Serve as primary interface with the HESA Global Team.
- Coordinate with EO and EB Chairs across Africa on panel scheduling, decision‑making, and programme oversight.
- Liaise with eligible universities, TVET institutions, and partner organisations and create ongoing partnerships for continued engagement to support HESA recipients during their program.
- Adapt global HESA policies and processes to local contexts in collaboration with the local teams while ensuring alignment with national regulations and risk considerations.
- Flag any deviations or contextual adaptations to the HESA Programme Head for approval.
Finance & Disbursement Management
- Oversee budget utilisation and disbursement processes in collaboration with respective finance staff for each Council and GRBs.
- Maintain a live budget tracker against approved allocations.
- Initiate and verify disbursement transfers (preferably direct to institutions).
- Maintain a complete disbursement register (student, amount, date, institution).
- Ensure all financial records are audit‑ready at all times.
- Manage MoUs and payment arrangements with partner institutions in collaboration with local GRB to maintain compliance.
Monitoring, Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain monthly monitoring dashboard with academic and financial indicators.
- Produce timely reporting for the HESA Programme Head and Education Boards.
- Maintain risk register and escalate high‑risk items promptly.
- Ensure compliance with HESA global policies and local governance requirements.
- Maintain updated policy documents and support audits or programme reviews.
- Confirm enrolment before releasing funds directly to the relevant institution.
- Maintain complete student records (institution, course, start date, completion status).
Required Skills
Qualifications & Experience:
- Graduate degree in management, education, finance, social work, or related field
- Minimum 3 years of programme or project management experience
- Experience managing budgets and disbursement processes
- Strong data management and reporting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Ability to coordinate across multiple geographies across Africa and globally
- Experience working for or volunteering for Jamati institutions is highly valuable
- Understanding and work experience in the African context
- Understanding of the Jamati demography and the unique needs that differ within the continent.
Interested candidates should submit their applications to [email protected] no later than August 28, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
