Post School Success Senior Associate

Nova Pioneer is looking for a superstar Post School Success Senior Associate on a full-time basis.

The Post-School Success Senior Associate is an essential role that contributes to meeting one of Nova Pioneer’s most important goals - setting our students up for success on their path to becoming leaders and innovators of the African century. You will help deliver a distinctive university and career exploration & guidance program that is integrated into everyday learning at the Nova Pioneer secondary schools. You will be based in Nairobi and support our Nova Pioneer Athi River campus.

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of an innovative network of schools that is developing generations of innovators and leaders who will shape the African Century.

ABOUT NOVA PIONEER

Imagine a world in which every young person across Africa attends a school that truly sets them up for success in the 21st century. A school that cares about individual students and allows them to explore the world around them. A school that focuses more on developing skills than on memorizing content. At Nova Pioneer, we have done more than just imagine this future, we are bringing it to life. Nova Pioneer is a pan-African, independent network of schools offering high quality, accessible education from pre-primary through secondary school. Nova Pioneer uses a unique, inquiry-based learning approach that encourages students to ask “why” instead of telling them the “what”. It allows them to form their own thinking through exploration, investigation and collaboration. Nova Pioneer currently has 17 schools in South Africa and Kenya with a vision to launch 100 schools and reach tens of thousands of students across the African continent in the next decade. To learn more visit www.novapioneer.com.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Key responsibilities for the role include:

Campus PSS Ownership and Student Outcomes

The PSS Senior Associate is responsible for the successful delivery of the Post-School Success programme and achievement of student outcomes across one or two assigned Nova Pioneer campuses. As the primary PSS point person, they ensure students receive consistent, high-quality programming and individualized guidance throughout their Nova Pioneer journey.

• Own the planning, implementation, and achievement of PSS goals across assigned campuses, aligned with Nova Pioneer's PSS priorities and curriculum requirements.
• Deliver a consistent, high-quality PSS experience across all relevant grade levels, ensuring students meet key milestones in career exploration, pathway planning, university readiness, and post-school transitions.
• Partner closely with Executive School Leaders, School Leaders, Deans, and teachers to integrate PSS programming into the school experience and academic calendar.
• Identify students requiring additional support and implement targeted interventions to ensure they remain on track toward their post-school aspirations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for students, families, and school leadership on PSS programming, opportunities, and student progress.

Grades 7–8: Self-Discovery, Career Exploration, and Early Pathway Awareness

The early years of PSS help students understand their interests, strengths, and aspirations while beginning to explore academic and career possibilities. The Senior Associate leads experiences that establish a strong foundation for informed pathway decisions in later years.

• Deliver age-appropriate PSS lessons and activities focused on self-discovery, student identity, strengths, interests, and career exploration.
• Lead the PSS Student Profiles Project, ensuring students develop and maintain meaningful profiles that support their future academic and career planning.
• Collaborate with Life Skills, career guidance, and Hallmark teachers to incorporate PSS learning into relevant classroom experiences.
• Introduce students to different career and post-school pathways, helping them understand the connection between their interests, strengths, and future opportunities.
• Guide Grade 8 students and families through relevant subject selection and early pathway decisions, including parent information sessions where applicable.

Grade 9 / Year 9: Pathway and Subject Selection

At this stage, students begin making important academic choices that influence their future opportunities. The Senior Associate ensures every student and family receives clear, individualized guidance to make informed pathway and subject selections.

• Deliver PSS lessons and individual consultations focused on career aspirations, academic pathways, and subject selection.
• For CBE Grade 9, guide students through Senior School pathways, tracks, and subject combinations in line with KICD/KNEC guidance and Nova Pioneer's available offerings.
• For Cambridge Year 9, support students in understanding IGCSE subject options and how these choices connect to future academic and career pathways.
• Collaborate with Deans of Instruction and Learning and School Leaders to coordinate pathway and subject selection processes.
• Lead parent seminars and information sessions to help families understand available options and support informed decisions.
• Document and track student pathway preferences, consultations, and final selections.

Grades 10–11 / Years 10–11: Post-School Planning and University Readiness

During these years, students move from exploring possibilities to developing concrete plans for life after Nova Pioneer. The Senior Associate provides the lessons, individualized advising, and practical preparation students need to pursue ambitious and realistic post-school opportunities.

• Teach weekly PSS lessons focused on career planning, post-secondary pathways, university and college exploration, and application readiness.
• Hold regular student advising sessions and office hours to support career selection, university and college lists, and alternative post-school plans.
• Guide students in identifying local, regional, and global opportunities aligned with their interests, academic performance, and aspirations.
• Organize pathway-specific workshops and preparation sessions, including weekend workshops where needed.
• Support standardized test preparation, including SAT practice resources, mock assessments, and student registration where applicable.
• Ensure students develop documented post-school plans and understand the academic, financial, and extracurricular requirements of their preferred pathways.
• Engage families through workshops and individualized communication about post-school options, application requirements, and timelines.

Form 4 / Grade/Year 12 and Other Final-Year Students: Applications, Placements, and Successful Transitions

The final stage of PSS focuses on ensuring every graduating student successfully navigates the transition beyond Nova Pioneer. The Senior Associate provides hands-on advising and application support, helping students secure viable opportunities aligned with their aspirations.

• Provide regular one-on-one student advising and dedicated office hours, including at least twice weekly at each assigned campus during key application periods.
• Guide students and families through KUCCPS applications, local university and college admissions, and other relevant post-secondary opportunities.
• Support international university applications, including application planning, personal statements, essays, standardized testing, transcripts, and submission deadlines.
• Guide students and families through scholarships, financial aid, and funding applications, including required documentation such as the CSS Profile where applicable.
• Coordinate with teachers and school leadership to ensure high-quality recommendation letters, transcripts, school profiles, and other supporting documents are submitted on time.
• Liaise with university representatives to advocate for students and support their applications.
• Manage admission opportunities and offers through relevant platforms, including Concourse Global.
• Support students in evaluating admission offers, financial aid packages, and final post-school decisions.
• Track every graduating student's application progress, offers, scholarships, final decisions, and intended post-school destination.
• Identify students at risk of graduating without a viable post-school plan and provide targeted intervention and support.

PSS Programmes, Partnerships, and Experiential Learning

Post-School Success extends beyond lessons and university applications to meaningful experiences that help students discover their interests and access new opportunities. The Senior Associate builds partnerships and delivers programmes that connect students to universities, careers, mentors, and the wider world.

• Plan and execute high-quality PSS activities across assigned campuses, including university fairs, career days, university visits, industry exposure, mentorship, internships, and job-shadowing opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with universities, employers, alumni, and community organizations to expand opportunities for students.
• Coordinate with university partners to provide student information sessions, admissions guidance, campus visits, and application support.
• Identify and develop opportunities that support students' academic interests, extracurricular pursuits, career exploration, and personal aspirations.
• Serve as the campus PSS point person for relevant alumni events, summits, and engagement activities.
• Gather student and family feedback to continuously improve PSS programming and experiences.

School Community Collaboration and Mobilization

The Senior Associate is the primary PSS lead for their campuses but is not expected to achieve student outcomes alone. They actively engage teachers, Deans, parents, alumni, and community partners to contribute their expertise, time, and networks to supporting student success.

• Build strong working relationships with Executive School Leaders, School Leaders, Deans, and teachers to ensure PSS priorities are understood and supported across each campus.
• Mobilize teachers, parents, alumni, and community members to contribute to mentorship, career exploration, university preparation, and PSS events.
• Coordinate with teachers to support student application requirements, including recommendation letters, essays, academic documentation, and standardized testing.
• Identify opportunities for members of the school community to volunteer their time, expertise, and professional networks to expand student opportunities.
• Collaborate with the PSS Lead and other PSS teammates to share effective practices, strengthen programming, and achieve regional PSS goals.

Quest: Digital Learning, Innovation, and Student Engagement

Quest is Nova Pioneer's digital Post-School Success learning platform, designed to support students through their secondary school journey and beyond. The Senior Associate helps bring Quest to life for students on their campuses while contributing to the implementation and growth of its programmes.

• Support the implementation of the digital PSS curriculum through Quest, ensuring students can access and engage with relevant learning experiences.
• Guide students in using Quest to explore pathways, build capabilities, and document their innovation work and projects.
• Support student awareness, recruitment, onboarding, and engagement for Quest Launchpad, which supports graduates during the bridge year between Form 4/Grade 12 and university or other post-secondary opportunities.
• Contribute to relevant delivery, student support, and promotional activities for Quest Next, supporting the transition from college to career and entrepreneurship.
• Encourage students and alumni to use Quest to showcase and continue developing their innovation projects, entrepreneurial ideas, and businesses.
• Gather student feedback and share recommendations with the