Partnership Associate

Chancen International

ABOUT CHANCEN INTERNATIONAL

Application Deadline: 06 November 2026

Chancen International is a non-profit financial institution providing ethical, fair, and responsible financing to help young Africans access quality tertiary education. Using an innovative Income Share Agreement (ISA) model, we cover students’ tuition fees, allowing them to study without financial barriers. Graduates repay a portion of their income once employed, creating a sustainable funding cycle that supports future generations. By empowering young people with education, we enable their transition to meaningful employment, fostering economic mobility, and strengthening communities.

Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, and operating in Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana, Chancen International has helped over 5,000 young people access education leading to dignified work. Our focus on marginalized populations ensures these youth gain the skills needed to thrive and contribute to building strong economies and peaceful nations.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive working environment where each individual can flourish and achieve their full potential. Our actions are guided by our company values: Authenticity, Curiosity, Courage, Stewardship and Fairness

This is an intermediate-level, 12-month contract position, with the possibility of renewal, within the Partnerships team. The role supports the full partner lifecycle, from opportunity identification and due diligence through to onboarding, portfolio monitoring and performance management. The Partnership Associate will work closely with the Partnership Manager to support the development and management of strategic partnerships with Partner Education Institutions (PEIs), ensuring that partnerships deliver against agreed financial, student and employment outcomes, contractual commitments and organizational objectives.

A key responsibility is the operational ownership of monthly PEI portfolio monitoring,

including identifying performance gaps and emerging risks, following up on outstanding partner commitments, coordinating corrective actions and escalating underperformance or material risks timeously. The incumbent will ensure that portfolio information is accurate, performance discussions are evidence-based, and agreed actions are tracked through to resolution.

The Partnership Associate will also support continuous improvement in partnership management processes and undertake additional responsibilities as departmental priorities and operational requirements evolve.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

1. Identify and Assess Opportunities

Conduct market research to identify potential partners and opportunities for collaboration.
Support the assessment of potential partnerships to ensure strategic fit and alignment with company objectives.

2. Due Diligence Support

Support due diligence processes by analyzing financial statements, forecasts, and
business models.
Analyze and interpret data provided by partner institutions, including alumni outcomes, program performance metrics, and engagement statistics, to assess investment impact and inform strategic decisions.
Identify gaps, inconsistencies or concerns in information submitted by prospective partners and coordinate the resolution of outstanding due diligence requirements.
Assist in preparing investment briefs, risk assessments, and recommendations for internal approval.

3. Partnership and Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain effective working relationships with PEIs, employers, ecosystem partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Coordinate regular partner engagement to ensure that contractual commitments, performance expectations, reporting requirements and agreed deliverables are clearly understood.
Coordinate with internal teams to ensure effective partner onboarding and implementation.
Maintain accurate records of partner engagements, commitments, outstanding actions and key decisions.
Identify relationship management challenges and emerging concerns, escalating matters to the Partnership Manager where intervention is required.
Represent Chancen professionally in partner and stakeholder engagements where appropriate.

4. Monthly Portfolio Monitoring and Performance Management

Own the monthly monitoring process for assigned Partner Education Institutions (PEIs), ensuring performance data is collected, validated, analysed and reported accurately and timeously.
Monitor partner performance against agreed KPIs, contractual commitments and
investment requirements, identifying performance gaps, emerging risks, recurring issues and deviations from targets.
Engage partners to resolve data gaps, obtain outstanding information and address performance concerns, ensuring that commitments and reporting requirements are met.
Maintain accurate portfolio dashboards, risk records and action trackers, documenting performance exceptions, agreed corrective actions, responsible parties and deadlines.
Coordinate monthly PEI performance meetings and prepare concise reports highlighting performance trends, risks, overdue commitments, corrective actions and matters
requiring management intervention.
Track corrective actions through to completion, hold relevant stakeholders accountable for agreed deliverables, assess progress and escalate material risks, persistent underperformance and overdue actions to the Partnership Manager.
Ensure portfolio records, supporting documentation, meeting outcomes and action trackers remain current and audit-ready, while contributing to continuous improvements in monitoring and reporting processes.

5. Internal Collaboration and Reporting

Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment on partner objectives, deliverables, data requirements and performance expectations.
Coordinate the flow of partner, student, employment and financial information required for effective portfolio management.
Provide regular updates to the Partnership Manager on partnership development, portfolio performance and key risks.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of partnership monitoring, reporting and data management processes.
Support the preparation of management information and portfolio insights for senior leadership and other internal stakeholders.

6. Additional Responsibilities

Undertake additional responsibilities aligned with the role's level, competencies and overall purpose as departmental priorities and operational requirements evolve.
Support emerging partnership initiatives and process improvements that contribute to the effectiveness of the Partnerships function.
Demonstrate flexibility in responding to changing departmental needs while maintaining accountability for core responsibilities, deliverables and agreed deadlines.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business Administration, Development Studies or related field.

Competencies and Experience

Minimum 3+ years’ relevant professional experience in partnerships, development finance, investment, programme management, financial services, education, youth employment or a related field.
Experience in partnership or stakeholder management, including coordinating multiple stakeholders and managing partner commitments.
Experience in performance monitoring, KPI tracking, outcome measurement and reporting.
Proven experience in data analysis, report writing, programme implementation and relationship management.
Experience analysing financial, operational or programme data and translating findings into actionable insights.
Ability to analyse and interpret an organisation’s business model, performance and long-term sustainability.
Strong ability to cross-reference diverse data sources and identify trends, risks and performance gaps.
Experience managing targets, SLAs, commitments or performance outcomes and escalating underperformance where required.
Demonstrated ability to follow up on outstanding actions, coordinate corrective measures and maintain accountability for agreed deliverables.

Skills required

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills.
Ability to analyse data and translate findings into clear, actionable insights.
Strong attention to detail and ability to identify data gaps, inconsistencies and emerging risks.
Strong report writing, communication and presentation skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
Strong follow-through and accountability, with the ability to independently manage recurring portfolio monitoring activities.
Ability to facilitate structured performance discussions and ensure actions are followed through.
Ability to work under pressure, exercise sound judgement and escalate matters appropriately.
Comfortable working across programme, partnership, employment and financial information to understand overall portfolio performance.
Adaptability and initiative, with the ability to respond to evolving departmental priorities while maintaining focus on agreed deliverables.

Benefits

21 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
Medical aid/insurance and wellbeing initiatives
Training, learning, and development support
A mission-driven, entrepreneurial environment with clear growth pathways