Position Overview
In this role, you will establish Jazz’s learning and development function, designing and implementing strategies to enhance the growth and performance of all talent within the organization—from global leadership to frontline Jazz Stars—as it rapidly expands across the African continent.
You will serve as more than just a department leader; you will act as a visionary strategist for organizational growth, crafting the overarching strategic plan, assembling and leading a top-tier team, and implementing innovative learning initiatives that drive measurable business results and scalable capability development.
We seek an entrepreneurial individual who thrives on building, implementing, learning, and iterating, with a strong emphasis on actively listening to team members and leveraging data strategically to measure and enhance impact.
Your primary responsibility will involve leading the Jazz Academy, where you will leverage human-centered design principles to develop innovative and impactful learning experiences for teams operating in rural and frontier markets. This role is pivotal in advancing Jazz’s mission by driving scalable growth while maintaining exceptional service standards in existing locations.
You will collaborate closely with executive leadership to cultivate mature leadership capabilities and foster a high-performance, values-based organizational culture, ensuring that our international expansion is anchored in exceptional training practices and reinforces our distinctive company ethos.
This position demands a unique combination of strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, meticulous execution, and the capacity to transition effortlessly between customized executive coaching and broad-scale team empowerment.
To successfully execute this ambitious mandate, you will assemble and develop an internal team to oversee and execute this programming, while also cultivating strategic partnerships.
We are seeking a dynamic professional to fulfill a multifaceted role encompassing a broad spectrum of critical tasks and strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, driving project execution, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Key duties include analyzing data to inform decision-making, collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize workflows, and developing innovative solutions to enhance productivity. Additionally, the position demands strong leadership skills to mentor team members, foster a culture of accountability, and uphold high performance standards. Proficiency in industry-specific tools and methodologies is essential, along with the ability to adapt to evolving challenges in a fast-paced environment.
As the leader of Group Learning Strategy, Integration, and Leadership, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive learning initiatives that align with organizational goals. Your role will involve collaborating with senior leadership to identify skill gaps, develop targeted training programs, and integrate learning solutions across departments. Additionally, you will lead efforts to foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that learning and development strategies drive measurable business outcomes. This position requires strong strategic thinking, exceptional stakeholder management, and the ability to influence and inspire teams at all levels.
To shape and lead the global Learning & Development strategy, ensuring every initiative reflects Jazz’s mission and supports its swift international growth.
Design and establish the organizational framework for the Learning & Development department, determine essential roles, and recruit the skilled professionals required to expand the function effectively.
Design and implement transformative programs tailored for the C-suite and senior leadership, fostering strategic alignment, enhancing executive maturity, and cultivating a high-performance organizational culture.
Develop robust frameworks to measure impact, prioritizing sustained behavioral shifts and tangible business outcomes over mere activity-based metrics.
Design and deploy a “Train-the-Trainer” program aimed at empowering managers with essential coaching competencies and self-assurance, enabling them to foster team growth through enhanced independence.
Collaborate with the Talent Lead and Business Leads to integrate learning and development initiatives into both performance management and talent acquisition processes at the local level.
Oversee the Learning and Development (L&D) budget allocation, cultivate strategic vendor partnerships, and administer global learning technologies, including the Learning Management System (LMS), with a focus on ensuring tools are optimized for diverse, low-bandwidth environments.
Jazz Academy Innovation & Design is seeking a dynamic and creative professional to drive forward our mission of fostering innovative learning experiences. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in educational design, with the ability to conceptualize and implement cutting-edge instructional strategies. Responsibilities include developing engaging curricula, collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate technology, and evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in instructional design principles, proficiency in relevant software tools, and a passion for transforming education through innovative solutions. A minimum of three years of experience in educational design or a related field is required, along with a bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, or a comparable discipline.
Collaborate with software and business teams to design and develop an innovative Academy for Jazz Stars, leveraging Edtech solutions such as WhatsApp-native learning and artificial intelligence.
Spearhead the development of specialized technical and foundational business and entrepreneurship programs meticulously designed to meet the unique needs of rural African communities.
Ensure alignment of all content with diverse cultural contexts by considering linguistic nuances, gender dynamics, community trust levels, and the influence of local institutions.
Develop and manage capacity-building initiatives designed to equip Jazz Stars with the skills and confidence needed to assume leadership roles and launch entrepreneurial ventures in their local communities.
Program execution, technical instruction, and performance assessment are integral components of this role, encompassing the development and deployment of initiatives, delivery of comprehensive training programs, and systematic evaluation of outcomes to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and continuous improvement.
Provide leadership in delivering superior technical skills training to onboard technicians, market expansion teams, and operations personnel, ensuring comprehensive skill development and competency.
Oversee the development and execution of a certification program designed to assess essential competencies prior to team members’ deployment in the field.
Evaluate and document the impact of training initiatives by analyzing their effects on key business metrics, including revenue growth and operational error reduction.
Offer expert guidance and leadership to facilitators and program managers, fostering their ability to independently execute high-impact training initiatives.
Field Commitment: This role demands a high level of dedication and adaptability, requiring frequent travel to various locations to ensure seamless operations and support. The successful candidate must be prepared to spend extended periods away from home, often with short notice, to address mission-critical needs. Strong organizational skills and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments are essential for maintaining productivity and fostering collaboration across diverse teams.
Demonstrates a commitment to dedicating 20% of your time to on-site engagement, collaborating closely with frontline teams to assess program efficacy and promote robust adoption of the Jazz model.
Qualifications
Demonstrates a proven track record of professional achievements alongside a robust set of relevant skills and expertise. Possesses the necessary qualifications, technical proficiencies, and industry-specific knowledge to excel in the role. Exhibits strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities to drive results and foster collaboration. Maintains a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in dynamic work environments.
A Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Business, Entrepreneurship, International Development, Adult Education, Organizational Development, Instructional Design, or a closely related field. Additional consideration will be given to candidates holding a Master’s degree or relevant certification.
With a decade or more of specialized expertise in Learning & Development, Talent Strategy, or Functional Enablement, candidates should demonstrate a proven track record—whether within a dedicated business unit or as an entrepreneurial leader (e.g., in sales, operations, or other domains). The ideal profile showcases hands-on involvement in designing, implementing, and scaling comprehensive learning ecosystems to drive organizational growth.
With a minimum of five years in a leadership role, you are expected to have a proven track record not only in people management but also in driving the vision, overseeing the budget, and developing the long-term strategic roadmap for a learning function.
With a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in rural Sub-Saharan Africa or frontier markets, you demonstrate refined cross-cultural competency and the skill to tailor programming effectively to the distinct realities of frontline regions.
Proven expertise in developing high-impact learning programs, with a preference for initiatives tailored specifically to rural frontline teams.
Proven expertise in user-centered design methodologies, specializing in the development of tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions instead of relying on pre-packaged software.
Adept at leveraging data-driven insights to measure programming performance and align technical achievements with organizational objectives.
Demonstrated expertise in collaborating with senior leadership to oversee international budgets and vendor relationships, while fostering the development and skill enhancement of training delivery teams.
We seek an independent, proactive professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, capable of thriving in dynamic settings by designing and implementing systems from scratch, embracing hands-on learning, and guiding teams to achieve ambitious goals. Candidates with prior experience in rapidly expanding startups will be given preference.
You are encouraged to apply for this opportunity due to the compelling advantages it offers. This role presents a unique chance to [insert key benefit or growth opportunity from the original description]. Ideal candidates will possess [list key qualifications or skills from the original description], ensuring alignment with the position’s demands. The responsibilities include [summarize key duties from the original description], providing an opportunity to [highlight impact or skill development]. Additionally, this position offers [mention any benefits, perks, or cultural aspects from the original description], making it an excellent fit for professionals seeking [state career goal or aspiration from the original description].
Join us during one of Jazz’s most dynamic growth phases, where we transition from proven success to accelerated scaling. Your contributions will have a tangible impact on shaping our teams, culture, and long-term influence, offering you an unparalleled opportunity to engage in impactful systems development and rapid organizational expansion.
Collaborate with a global team spanning Canada, China, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and the United States, where you’ll develop a deeper understanding of varied markets, leadership approaches, and cross-cultural teamwork, fostering accelerated career advancement.
Must possess strong proficiency in the following key areas:
Designing programs tailored to frontier markets involves crafting strategic initiatives that address the unique economic, social, and infrastructure challenges of emerging and less-developed regions. This role requires a deep understanding of local market dynamics, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances to create sustainable solutions that drive growth and inclusion. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive market research, collaborating with stakeholders, and developing frameworks that align with both global best practices and localized needs. Ideal candidates possess strong analytical skills, cross-cultural competence, and experience in designing scalable interventions for resource-constrained settings.
Oversee the administration of vendor relationships and financial allocations to ensure optimal procurement efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Develop and maintain budgets, track expenditures, and analyze financial performance to support strategic decision-making. Collaborate with stakeholders to negotiate contracts, monitor vendor compliance, and mitigate risks associated with procurement activities. Ensure adherence to organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and cost-control measures while fostering productive partnerships with external suppliers.
Edtech innovator focused on optimizing solutions for environments with limited connectivity, designing tools that ensure accessibility and seamless delivery under constrained bandwidth conditions.
An accomplished executive coach and people development specialist, you will be tasked with guiding senior leaders and high-potential employees through transformative growth journeys. Your responsibilities will include designing and delivering personalized coaching programs tailored to individual leadership challenges, enhancing decision-making skills, and fostering emotional intelligence. You will assess performance gaps, set measurable objectives, and track progress to ensure sustainable development. Additionally, you will facilitate leadership workshops, mentor emerging talent, and collaborate with HR to align coaching initiatives with organizational goals. Strong interpersonal skills, a proven track record in leadership development, and the ability to inspire behavioral change are essential. A background in psychology, business, or a related field, along with relevant certifications, is highly desirable.
We seek candidates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a forward-thinking, innovative approach to problem-solving. The ideal individual will demonstrate creativity in identifying opportunities and a proactive attitude toward driving growth and efficiency.
Global leadership development initiatives that are strategically focused and designed to drive organizational excellence.
Impact evaluation driven by data.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
