Summer Team - Project Coordinator

Education Partnerships Africa; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job description

About EPAfrica

EPAfrica (Education Partnerships Africa) is a volunteer-led charity working in partnership with rural secondary schools in East Africa. Our mission is to create sustainable change in education by investing in resources, infrastructure, and local capacity. Our volunteers are central to our work — building strong relationships, learning deeply about the local context, and delivering projects that matter.

Role Overview

As a Project Coordinator (PC), you will be a key part of the Summer Team, supporting the smooth operation of EPAfrica’s in-country summer programme. You’ll work alongside the Project Manager and other Project Coordinators to provide on-the-ground coordination, logistical support, and pastoral care for our Project Workers (PWs). This is a dynamic and rewarding role that gives you insight into international development, team leadership, and operational planning.

Key Responsibilities

• With guidance from the Project Manager (PM), support our team of Project Workers (PWs) in their school placements, including:
  • Facilitate communication between PWs, our in-country Summer Team, and the UK-based central charity team.
• Help deliver our in-country monitoring and evaluation programme, enabling us to effectively plan for and deliver future investments. This includes:
  • Contribute to Summer Team planning, reflection sessions, and process documentation.
  • Help to maintain the safety, security, and wellbeing of the Kenya-based team, working within the charity’s risk guidelines.
  • Monitor project progress and guide PWs to address any issues as they arise.
• Offer pastoral support and help maintain the wellbeing of Project Workers.
• Co-deliver trainings on topics such as project management, effective international development practices, safety and wellbeing, and cultural awareness.
• Coordinate key operational logistics relating to summer programme delivery.
• Conduct monitoring visits to current & recent investment schools to gauge the impact of EPAfrica’s work.
• Conduct assessment visits to potential future EPAfrica participant schools.
• Stay up-to-date with research into developments in the Kenyan education system and potential impacts on our work.
• Establish and maintain relationships with our network of local partners.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong familiarity with, and demonstrated interest in, EPAfrica’s values and operating model.
• A demonstrated interest in grassroots international development is required; previous experience in this setting (volunteering, fieldwork, or prior work experience) preferred.
• Experience being a part of teams delivering project-based work, and leading with empathy.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work with stakeholders from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and solve problems under pressure.
• Willingness to operate in a challenging, fast-paced environment and to be involved in making decisions which affect the wider team.
• Experience as a Project Worker or previous Summer Team involvement preferred – but alternatively, relevant professional or volunteering experience in a similar context.

What You’ll Gain

• Real, hands-on project management and delivery experience.
• Exposure to international development at a grassroots level, with concrete opportunities to deliver meaningful work.
• A rich cultural experience and the opportunity to immerse yourself in semi-rural communities in Western Kenya.
• Volunteers benefit from one week’s holiday in the middle of the programme, allowing the opportunity to explore the rest of the country (previous volunteers have travelled to Mombasa, Nairobi and the Maasai Mara).
• Opportunity to work with a team of passionate, like-minded individuals and build a strong professional network within the charity and our wider community.
• A standout experience for your CV, and the chance to develop transferable skills in stakeholder management, communication, logistics, and more. Previous EPAfrica volunteers have leveraged their experience with us to secure roles with the FCDO, WHO, UN, Civil Service and in a variety of consultancies.

Compensation: Non-salaried placement, with the following expenses covered:

• Travel: Project-related travel in and around Kakamega County is fully covered.
• Accommodation: Fully covered throughout the EPAfrica summer.
• Programme delivery costs: All costs associated with programme delivery (travel to sites, partner meeting expenses, etc) paid for by the charity.
• Additional Costs: Round-trip flights to Kenya and limited subsistence costs, plus any personal travel elsewhere within Kenya (e.g., for your holiday week).

Interested?

We’d love to hear from you! If you’re enthusiastic about education, development, and making a difference, this is a unique opportunity to get involved and get hands-on, meaningful experience delivering grassroots international development projects in Kenya. You’re also welcome to apply with a friend and complete a summer placement alongside them; just let us know in your application.