Chief Product/Content Officer at Ubongo | September 2024

Ubongo is a non-profit social enterprise with the mission of using top quality, localized edutainment to help Africa’s 500 million kids learn, and leverage their learning to change their lives. It is the largest edutainment organization in Africa. Ubongo’s long term vision is to equip Africa’s next generation with the educational foundation, critical skills and positive mindsets to change their lives and communities for the better.

Location

Ideally, we are looking for candidates who can be based in either Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, or Johannesburg, South Africa (either already located there or willing to relocate). However, if relocation is not possible, we are open to candidates who are able to travel frequently to these locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Extensive product landscape analysis: Assessing need for current and future products as well as articulating product visions with plans for achieving them.
• Leading and developing Ubongo teams to plan, design, and produce existing and new content in line with organisational strategic priorities.
• Using data, identifying opportunities for (doers at) scale with external product partnerships
• Using data to identify opportunities for product innovation.
• Hiring and developing leaders in creative, technical, and management positions when and if required.

Shared Key Responsibilities

• Co-owning Ubongo’s vision, mission, and strategy with other C-suite members and Board, including maintaining the organisation’s strong ‘Utu’ culture across teams.
• In collaboration with the C-Suite, setting the strategic direction for Ubongo’s portfolio of products.
• Collaborating with Ubongo teams like Distribution, Impact, and Marketing and Comms. to ensure cohesion in product delivery, measurement, and communication.
• Developing and implementing product and production budgets in collaboration with the COO and CFO.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Passion for Ubongo’s mission and vision.
• Passion for the creative space and a love of fun (keeping your inner child alive and well)!
• Passion for contributing to quality education content for children across Africa
• and helping them find the fun in learning.
• Over six years’ experience working in the edutainment, children’s media, and/or education sectors (experience working at nonprofits is a plus).
• Ability to stay up to date on sector trends and developments that might influence the success and impact potential of Ubongo products, and respond accordingly.
• Ability to use data to drive continuous improvement in all product-related functions.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English (proficiency in other local languages is a plus) and work with distributed teams.
• Ability to remain action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative.
• Experience developing and/or contributing to organisational strategy, and setting and achieving strategic objectives collaboratively.
• Over five years’ experience in product management, including managing all aspects of the programme/product lifecycle.
• Excellence in team management with the ability to coach, manage, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively articulate, and facilitate buy in for, product strategy across the organisation and key stakeholders.
• Experience in road-mapping and prioritisation for multiple products across an organisation.
• Comprehensive understanding of human-centered design and universal design.

Shortlist (www.shortlist.net) is our exclusive recruitment exclusive partner for this role. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is closed, though early applications are strongly encouraged.

To apply, click the “Easy Apply” button or share your cover letter and resume/LinkedIn profile using the contact details below. If you would like to refer someone from your network or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Ashbira Singh

Associate Partner

ashbira@shortlist.net

Alisha Coelho

Talent Consultant

alisha@shortlist.net