Arizona State University
Position Title: Chief Technology Officer
YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS’ INITIATIVE LEGACY AND LOCALIZATION
SUMMARY
Arizona State University seeks qualified candidates to serve as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on a USAID project supporting the next-generation expression of the Regional Leadership Centers (RLC) component of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), the United States’ premier investment in young African leaders. As the on-continent component of the YALI program, in 2015 USAID launched four YALI RLCs at higher education institutions in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa. The RLCs have provided access to leadership and functional training to 22,000 young leaders aged 18–35 from 49 sub- Saharan countries in three tracks: business and entrepreneurship, public management, and civic leadership. YALI 2030 will build on the RLC foundation to create an expanded pan-African youth development model that will harmonize training curriculum, serve underrepresented/underserved youth, build alumni network capacity and professional development opportunities, and develop new program- related partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders and donors. ASU has hosted YALI Mandela Washington Fellows annually since 2014, led public management cohorts at the East Africa Regional Leadership Center, collaborates with the Mastercard Foundation on an eLearning Initiative with African universities, implemented higher education projects for USAID with multiple universities on the continent, and maintains an African hub and a network of alumni through ASU-Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Position location: We are looking for candidates based in Accra, Ghana, Dakar, Senegal, Pretoria South Africa or Nairobi, Kenya.
This is a full-time position that will require approximately 20% travel across the continent.
Purpose
We are seeking a dynamic and Visionary Chief Technology Officer (CTO) who will develop and lead the implementation of technology and systems strategy as a critical enabler of YALI’s mission.
Reporting to the DCOP, the CTO will ensure YALI’s teams and partners maximize productivity utilizing technology. The ideal candidate will be an expert, with broad knowledge of product development, (ideally in education, youth development, alum engagement and related areas), well versed with current technological trends, innovation, demonstrate a high degree of initiative, and entrepreneurship
Key Responsibilities
- Develop YALI’s technology strategy to maximize best-in-class tools to enable YALI’s mission
- Oversee the planning and implementation of technology tools and platforms for YALI
- Provide strategic advice to leadership, staff and partners on how to leverage technology and tools Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends to achieve and sustain YALI’s outcomes,
- Evaluate risks and opportunities associated with technology related investments by YALI
- Support YALI’s IT and business systems implementation teams.
- Building and mentoring technical teams across YALI implementing partners
- User experience, product design and customer feedback to improve YALI’s technology products.
- Responsible for the Stability, security and scalability of YALI technology stack and infrastructure.
- Advice management and partners on the right technologies and tools for YALI
- Make decisions regarding product features, user interface design, and implementation road map
- Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends
Key Competencies
- Excellent performance delivery, analytical thinking and problem solving.
- Business technology acumen.
- Demonstrated leadership, management skills and strategic planning skills.
- Strong judgement and decision-making skills.
- Good research capacity, data analysis and information management skills; and
- Flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to work independently, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment to achieve institutional goals
Education and Work Experience Required
- Masters’ degree in information systems, computer science, Engineering, or related field is required
- At least 10 years’ experience at senior level, in technology strategy, product management, design, and user experience
- Previous experience in education, youth development, alum engagement or related areas is highly preferred
Qualifications and Skills Required
- Experience leading and managing information Technology Teams in multi-partner development programs is required
- Experience overseeing implementation of process and quality improvement management principles to increase efficiencies is required
- Ability to communicate effectively with others as demonstrated by strong written and verbal communication skills, strong negotiating skills, and particularly the ability to communicate complex information technology topics
- Strong skills in market research, user feedback analysis, and product strategy development
- Ability to assess, develop and consider innovative technology solutions to meet rapidly evolving business strategies and needs.
- Ability to evaluate products from multiple perspectives (users, stakeholders, vendors, best practices) in order to develop standards for product approvals.
How to apply
How to Apply
Interested qualified candidates are invited to submit their application and Curriculum Vitae indicating full contact details of three professional referees to YALI@asu.edu by 24th October, 2023.
Applicants must include the POSITION TITLE in the subject line of their email. Please do not attach copies of certificates.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. YALI L&L is an equal opportunity employer.