Scholarships Manager - Africa Oxford Initiative

Location: South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY 

We are seeking to appoint a Scholarships Manager to join the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) within the Nuffield Department of Medicine. The postholder will support the end-to-end delivery of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford, with a particular focus on strengthening leadership, onboarding and development programmes that provide tailored support to African graduate scholars at Oxford.

The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is a pan-University that brings together Oxford’s engagement with African institutions and researchers, fostering equitable partnerships and co-developing high-impact programmes. AfOx activities are structured under three pillars: Research, Education, and Innovation. The flagship programme under the Education pillar is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford, which supports passionate, locally rooted, and globally minded young Africans to undertake graduate studies. AfOx recognises that meaningful support extends beyond covering course fees and living costs, as such, the programme support includes providing bespoke leadership training programmes, networking opportunities, and tailored support for students before, during, and after their time in Oxford.

Your primary responsibility will be to support AfOx’s delivery of the scholarship programme from end to end with a specific focus on strengthening the scholars’ support programmes, namely: Leadership and Impact programme, Catch-up programme, Scholars’ Leadership Retreat, Leadership symposium and Onboarding programme. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering the scholarship programme, managing timelines, budgets, risks and resources to ensure high-quality outcomes. The role includes acting as a key operational contact, building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, monitoring programme progress, analysing data to inform decision-making, coordinating meetings and committees, and evaluating programme impact to support continuous improvement. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the post-holder will ensure the programme objectives are achieved to time, budget, and quality standards, navigating challenges and driving high-impact outcomes.

It is essential that you hold a degree in a relevant discipline and have proven programme management experience across the full lifecycle, including budget monitoring and financial management. Strong analytical, organisational, problem-solving and communication skills are required, alongside experience engaging a wide range of stakeholders and an understanding of African Higher Education and/or working with African students. Previous university administration experience in a student-focused role is also essential. Experience of African higher education institutions, pastoral support, leadership development, curriculum design or scholarship programmes would be advantageous.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract for 36 months and is funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

Only applications received before 12 midday on Monday 28 September 2026 will be considered. Please quote 188440 on all correspondence.

Interviews are scheduled for Friday 23 October 2026.

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