MEST Africa Vacancies 2019

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Training Program is the launching point for tomorrow’s globally successful tech entrepreneurs. We’re looking for an experienced leader who can help us shape the future of tech on the African continent.

Since 2008, MEST has trained over 400 aspiring entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire in tech, business and communications. We’ve welcomed expertise from 50+ fellows from across the world, invested in over 40 seed stage startups, and now we’re scaling up alongside our portfolio, as the first truly Pan-African community of our kind.

MEST is a non-profit headquartered in Accra, Ghana. We offer a competitive, 1-year fully sponsored training program to aspiring African entrepreneurs, after which the Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) pitch for the chance to receive funding and enter our Pan-African network of incubators. Senior Faculty is the backbone of the training program – crafting curriculum, leading a team of mentors and working closely alongside each and every entrepreneur to ensure they’re ready to launch a successful business upon graduation.

This is an incredible opportunity for a seasoned entrepreneur, mentor and product leader to shape the next generation of African technology entrepreneurs.

This person will lead and manage the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Training Program, in which Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) apply from across Africa to come to Ghana as a 60-person cohort. They dive deep into practical skills training in business, software development and communications, with an ultimate goal of launching successful software startups which are fundable and compelling.

The Director of the Training Program will be required to drive an unparalleled EIT experience, leveraging our tried and tested curriculum, mixed with hands-on practical experience and mentorship as EITs develop into business leaders. This person will manage, and be supported by, global Training Program Fellows who bring diverse experience, as well as a large on-the-ground operations team.

Representing the Training Program, you will play a leadership role and act a vital member of the MEST Leadership Team. You will be responsible for managing the Training Program budget, and work closely with the Recruitment lead to shape our understanding of what constitutes a successful program candidate.

This person will also represent MEST in the wider African startup community, with a presence at local events, and will work to bring in experts and guests from across various industries to continually expose EITs to new ideas, skills and ways of thinking.

Job Description

Job Title: Program Director, MEST Africa

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Key Responsibilities

• Evolve, develop and implement practical skills training curriculum for African entrepreneurs
• Provide mentorship, guidance and feedback to EIT teams and individuals developing companies in Africa, particularly leveraging your areas of expertise
• Provide leadership on a day to day basis for the Training Program and manage the performance of Training Program Fellows and operational staff to deliver on time and within budget
• Promote and advocate for MEST externally and build a reputation to be best on the continent – specifically to contribute to a pipeline of potential funding sources, as well as guest lecturers and mentors, and engage in public speaking to promote the brand
• Guide EITs in leadership, tech and business skills and act as a senior mentor throughout their time at MEST
• Ensure KPIs are met, take corrective action where needed, update leadership team and propose changes which will continue to drive higher standards within the Training Program
• Contribute to the MEST community by defining the EIT and Fellow experience, managing expectations and taking feedback on execution

Experience

• 10+ years experience as an educator or mentor in the technology space and/or as an entrepreneurship practitioner
• 10+ years as a business leader or startup founder, with significant experience working in major African markets
• Experience leading and managing international teams, ideally within an educational/training space
• Proven research ability and track record of thought leadership in the startup space and on the continent

Characteristics

• Excellent speaker
• Leadership across disciplines and geographies with diverse individuals
• Teambuilding
• Decision-making
• Strong judgement
• Innovative
• Lifelong learner
• Startup mindset