Job Summary:

The Partnerships Associate will support the management of Chancen Kenya's portfolio of partner educational institutions (PEIs). You will be responsible for key aspects of the partnerships’ management, ensuring the integrity and sustainability of our ISA investments. This role requires a professional who can engage partners, analyze data to uncover opportunities, and contribute proactively to the strategic goals of the department, operating with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities or duties

• Support the Partnership Manager in building and nurturing strong, long-term relationships with current partners, ensuring their needs are met and identifying new opportunities.
• Assist in the development, formalization, and management of partnership agreements and contracts.
• Contribute to the continuous evaluation of existing partnerships to ensure alignment with Chancen’s vision and strategic objectives.
• Develop structured engagement plans for each PEI, outlining monthly & quarterly touchpoints, performance reviews, and improvement actions.
• Track progress against partnership agreements and ensure PEIs meet SLAs, reporting deadlines, and system usage requirements.
• Manage and update the partner dashboard and tracker to ensure 100% accuracy and compliance with monthly reporting standards.
• Utilize data insights to identify trends, opportunities for process improvement, and partnership growth within the department.
• Prepare clear, well-organized, and actionable reports on partnership pipeline, progress against targets, and key performance indicators for internal stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing support to PEI staff on system usage, escalations, and updates.
• Lead the annual audit process for all assigned PEIs, ensuring full compliance with partnership agreements, reporting, and payment plans.
• Work alongside internal teams such as Finance, SAM, Communications & Community, Repayments, and Data to manage the timely and accurate disbursement of funds to partners.
• Ensure that all cohorts in the PEI are compliant with commitment fees and are in session before any disbursements are made to the PEI.

Qualifications or requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration ,Social Sciences , Project management, International Development, Marketing, or a related field.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with proven ability to resolve operational problems of a routine to moderately complex nature.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport, manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, and present information clearly in both written and verbal forms.
• High level of proficiency in Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Self-directed, resourceful, and able to manage multiple priorities, measure progress against targets, and meet consistent deadlines.

Experience needed

• 2 - 3 years of proven experience in a partnerships, business development, data analysis, or project management role. Experience in the education sector, financial services, or impact investing is a strong advantage.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

• 21 days of annual leave, excluding national holidays.
• Training, learning and development opportunities and financial support for further education.
• Medical insurance/aid coverage and wellbeing initiatives.
• A fulfilling work environment in a supportive and impact-driven organization with clear, frequent growth opportunities.

• Support the Partnership Manager in building and nurturing strong, long-term relationships with current partners, ensuring their needs are met and identifying new opportunities.
• Assist in the development, formalization, and management of partnership agreements and contracts.
• Contribute to the continuous evaluation of existing partnerships to ensure alignment with Chancen’s vision and strategic objectives.
• Develop structured engagement plans for each PEI, outlining monthly & quarterly touchpoints, performance reviews, and improvement actions.
• Track progress against partnership agreements and ensure PEIs meet SLAs, reporting deadlines, and system usage requirements.
• Manage and update the partner dashboard and tracker to ensure 100% accuracy and compliance with monthly reporting standards.
• Utilize data insights to identify trends, opportunities for process improvement, and partnership growth within the department.
• Prepare clear, well-organized, and actionable reports on partnership pipeline, progress against targets, and key performance indicators for internal stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing support to PEI staff on system usage, escalations, and updates.
• Lead the annual audit process for all assigned PEIs, ensuring full compliance with partnership agreements, reporting, and payment plans.
• Work alongside internal teams such as Finance, SAM, Communications & Community, Repayments, and Data to manage the timely and accurate disbursement of funds to partners.
• Ensure that all cohorts in the PEI are compliant with commitment fees and are in session before any disbursements are made to the PEI.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build rapport and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to present information clearly in both written and verbal forms
• High level of proficiency in Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Self-directed, resourceful
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to measure progress against targets
• Ability to meet consistent deadlines

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Project management, International Development, Marketing, or a related field.
• 2 - 3 years of proven experience in a partnerships, business development, data analysis, or project management role.
• Experience in the education sector, financial services, or impact investing is a strong advantage.