Country: Senegal
Closing date: 05 Apr 2018
We’re transforming Africa through innovative scientific
training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries!
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS, www.nexteinstein.org) is a pan-African network
of centres of excellence for postgraduate training, research and public engagement in mathematical
sciences. Its mission is to enable Africa's brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem
solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa's future scientific, educational and economic selfsufficiency.
The first AIMS centre opened in Cape Town, South Africa in 2003; since 2011, AIMS has
opened additional centres in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania and Rwanda. The goal of the AIMS
Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) is to build a Pan African network of 15 centres of excellence across
the continent by 2023.
The AIMS-Next Einstein Initiative is committed to preparing students for successful careers in their area
of choice, whether academic, industry, the public sector or other pursuits. To this end, AIMS-NEI has
partnered with the MasterCard Foundation to pioneer a so-called Co-op Track of the Master’s program
at AIMS Senegal. The pilot version of this program was launched in 2015 and has evolved to be a critical
component of the students’ professional growth in Senegal. In addition to the course work undertaken
by all Master Students, the Co-op Track includes periods of internships, during which students bring their
knowledge and skills in mathematical sciences to local employers, where they will learn to apply their
abilities to solve practical problems and to contribute to innovations. As part of their training, all Master
students at AIMS also take courses in professional development and in entrepreneurship and business
skills, which should benefit them in their future career and prepare them to make informed career
decisions.
If you bring a collaborative spirit with a passion to affect change, consider this opportunity as our…
Student Development & Co-op Manager (SDCM)
Under the direction of the Academic Director and in collaboration with the AIMS Industry Initiative team, the
SDCM will be a key point of contact for the students at the Centre as they prepare for their future lives and careers.
The SDCM will be a source of support and encouragement and provide the advice and counsel needed to guide
students’ personal and professional development and career choices. The SDCM will coordinate curricula and
extra-curricular programs which complement and enhance the core mathematical sciences focus of the Centre.
As the SDCM, you will develop, coordinate and be responsible for programs to promote the personal and
professional development of AIMS students. You will organize these programs and play leading roles in their
delivery. Key outcomes will be to build the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to prepare students to plan
and organize their own future lives and livelihoods; to practically contribute to employers’ needs and expectations;
and to play leading roles in the social and economic development of Africa.
In this hands-on role, you will embrace the challenge of spearheading student development and the
ongoing development of a comprehensive co-op (work integrated learning) program at AIMS Senegal--
an pioneering initiative for the AIMS network with significant opportunity for scale-up to distinguish
AIMS as an innovative learning institution that consistently produces sought-after graduates by top
employers.
This is a full time opportunity based in Mbour, Senegal.
Do you have what we need?
• Master’s degree or higher qualification in a relevant field e.g. Human Resources/
Marketing/Business
• Must be bilingual (French and English)
• Superb relationship management skills to network and build and nurture fruitful industry
partnerships and to effectively interact with diverse students, staff and the public
• 5+ years’ experience in a similar role in an international setting, with particular expertise with
African academia
• Working knowledge of the various applications of a mathematical sciences education, as it
applies to both industry and higher education pursuits
• A genuine passion to applying mathematical sciences for the development of Senegal and African
society
• Be self-driven with the ability to work independently
• Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to write and present orally
• Teaching experience at the university level or above is desirable
• Demonstrated evidence of integrity and ethical behaviour
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Internet
applications (Skype, Google Apps)
• Availability and eligibility to travel within and out of Africa, for periodic extended in-country stays
of up to 8 weeks
How to apply:
Are you ready to be a part of the transformation?
Submit your letter of motivation, including salary expectations together with a detailed CV in English to:
careers@nexteinstein.org (quote “SDCM SEN” in the subject line). Applications will be accepted until
the right candidate is identified.
Should no feedback be received from AIMS-NEI within four weeks of your submission, kindly accept that
your application will not be further pursued. AIMS-NEI reserves the right not to make an appointment at
its sole discretion.
AIMS-NEI is an equal opportunity employer.