Executive Associate at Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa initiative is hosted by Empower Learning Africa, a not-for-profit organisation registered and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with teams in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Zambia and locally registered offices in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. TaRL Africa began as a joint venture by Pratham and J-PAL in 2019, with the goal of supporting governments and organisations across Africa to accelerate children’s foundational skill learning using the evidence-based “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL) approach.

TaRL Africa's vision is for every child across Africa to have foundational skills so that they can have a better future. Our mission is to ensure education systems effectively equip children with these foundational skills. We support governments and organisations in over 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to design, deliver and scale impactful TaRL programmes while learning and sharing how the approach can be improved for different contexts. Together with partners, TaRL Africa has reached over five million children with TaRL programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Executive Associate

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job type: Full-time
Department: Executive Office
Reports to: Country Director, TaRL Africa Nigeria

Summary of the Role

• Provide high-level administrative and operational support to the Country Director (CD),  ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the CD’s office.
• This role enables the CD to focus on strategic leadership and decision-making by effectively managing their calendar, communications, and key operational priorities.

Key Responsibilities
Inbox Management & Communication Triage:

• Manage the Country Director’s email and communications with high discretion.
• Prioritise incoming requests and respond on behalf of the CD where appropriate.
• Filter requests and decides which issues require the CD’s attention.
• Redirect tasks to the appropriate team members when necessary.

Calendar & Scheduling:

• Coordinate and manage the CD’s calendar, prioritising meetings and appointments across multiple time zones.
• Ensure timely preparation for all engagements, including meetings with government officials, donors, and internal teams, to maximise effectiveness and efficiency.

Travel Management:

• Lead travel planning and coordination, including visas, itineraries, and logistical arrangements.
• Ensure post-trip reconciliation of expenses in collaboration with the Finance & Operations Team.

Meeting & Event Coordination:

• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, and minutes for meetings.
• Track follow-up actions and ensure timely completion of tasks.
• Help reinforce organisational values through communication and coordination.
• Support the CD in recognising team achievements and managing morale.

Stakeholder Coordination & Preparation:

• Assist in preparing the CD for engagements with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain professional relationships with key partners, donors, and government contacts.

Communications Support:

• Draft, review, and proofread correspondence, reports, and presentations.
• Support the CD in creating clear and concise messaging for both internal and external communications 

Project & Task Support:

• Provide support for ad hoc initiatives and special projects as requested by the CD.
• Anticipate needs and proactively manage competing priorities to keep the office running smoothly.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience supporting senior leaders, preferably at the executive level.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High professional discretion and ability to handle confidential information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, collaboration platforms, and AI tools.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to anticipate the needs of senior leadership.

Desirable:

• Experience supporting a senior leader in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities efficiently.

TaRL Africa Values:

• We place children's learning first.
• We are always learning, improving, and innovating.
• We are locally rooted for high-quality delivery and sustainable impact.
• We are kind, respectful and collaborative.
• We are proactive, committed to integrity and doing our best each day.

Application Closing Date
2nd January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.
• TaRL Africa provides a nationally peer-benchmarked compensation package aligned with organizational salary scales, taking into account both qualifications and professional experience.
• TaRL Africa is an equal-opportunity employer committed to having a diverse workforce.