Partnership Senior Associate

Job Summary:

• The Partnerships Senior Associate will support the expansion and management of Chancen Kenya's portfolio of partner educational institutions (PEIs). You will be responsible for key aspects of the partner due diligence process, 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.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Due Diligence & Investment Analysis

• Lead the collection, collation, and rigorous analysis of institutional data (enrollment, graduation rates, employment outcomes, etc.) to assess investment risk for
• prospective and existing partners.
• Prepare comprehensive underwriting documents and presentations for internal
• investment committees, presenting problem analysis and recommended solutions.
• Act as a key liaison between partner institutions and internal teams (Finance, SAM, Repayments, Communications & Community, Data, etc.) to ensure a smooth and timely due diligence process.
• Conduct periodic partner audits as required by company policy, maintaining strict confidentiality of client and partner information.

Partnership Development & Management

• Proactively generate new partnership leads within the private and public education sectors through research, networking, and attending industry events.
• 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 quarterly touchpoints, performance reviews, and improvement actions.
• Track progress against partnership agreements and ensure PEIs meet SLAs, reporting deadlines, and system usage requirements.

Data, Reporting & Strategic Support

• 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.

Disbursement & Portfolio Support

• 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.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, International Development, Marketing, or a related field.
• 3-6 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.
• 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 Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Self-directed, resourceful, and able to manage multiple priorities, measure progress against targets, and meet consistent deadlines.

Benefits

• 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