Posted: 2026-11-04 17:47:14  Deadline: November 27, 2026   Full-time   Salary: Confidential

United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa), a leading higher learning institution based in Nairobi, Kenya, is seeking to recruit a strategic, compassionate and experienced leader for the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life. The successful candidate will provide strategic direction and leadership for an integrated student experience that promotes academic success, wellbeing, inclusion, engagement and personal development.

Position Details

Position: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life.
Institution: United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa).
Department: Student Life.
Location: Nairobi, Kenya.
Job Type: Full-time.
Experience Level: Experienced.
Job Ad Expiry: November 27, 2026.

About USIU-Africa

United States International University-Africa is a higher learning institution based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is the most diverse university in East and Central Africa, with approximately 7,000 students from over 60 nations and a global network of more than 25,000 alumni. USIU-Africa is the only university in Sub-Saharan Africa whose degree programmes are accredited by both the Kenya Government through the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the American Government through the WASC Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC).

Job Profile and Purpose

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life will provide strategic direction, oversight, coordination and leadership for an integrated student experience that enables every student to thrive academically, personally and socially. The role brings together student success, wellbeing, advocacy, engagement, inclusion and development, recognising the connection between academic achievement, mental health, belonging and resilience.

The successful candidate will lead the student success lifecycle, from enrolment and transition into the University through academic progression, completion and preparation for life beyond graduation. The role will also strengthen student retention, timely graduation, employability, campus participation and lifelong connections with USIU-Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Translate the University's Strategic Plan into measurable student success outcomes, implementation plans and performance targets across the student lifecycle.
Provide strategic leadership for student success, wellbeing, inclusion, engagement and personal development, and serve as the Vice Chancellor's chief advisor on these matters.
Lead the planning, implementation and review of policies, standards, programmes and services for student success, wellbeing and advocacy.
Collaborate with academic schools and administrative divisions to identify and remove barriers to student retention, academic progression and timely graduation.
Coordinate academic advising, mentoring and early interventions for students requiring additional support.
Oversee enrolment and retention, financial aid and orientation for new, transfer and re-entry students, including those transitioning from high school.
Work with academic leaders to ensure student wellbeing informs the curriculum and classroom experience, and collaborate in planning and directing graduation ceremonies.
Provide strategic oversight of counselling, wellness, student advocacy and services that meet students' daily needs.
Ensure student support services are accessible, inclusive and responsive, strengthening mental health, resilience and psychological safety.
Oversee international student services, study abroad and multicultural programmes to promote equitable participation and achievement.
Manage facilities and services that enhance students' quality of life and learning, using student feedback and service evidence to improve access and responsiveness.
Champion student voice and advocacy, serving as a liaison between students and University administration and involving students in decisions affecting their experience.
Lead the planning, organisation and implementation of policies and procedures governing extracurricular activities across the University.
Increase student engagement and campus participation through relevant co-curricular opportunities, working with Marketing to promote programmes and support branding, communications, public relations and media relations.
Oversee career services, internships and job placement, connecting academic and co-curricular development with employability and career opportunities.
Build partnerships with academic units, employers and relevant organisations to support students' transition beyond university and lifelong engagement with USIU-Africa.
Represent the University to government bodies, agencies, educational institutions, businesses and community organisations.
Provide leadership and oversight for student associations, councils, clubs and the Student Centre, supporting student leadership, confidence, resilience and personal development.
Build a campus culture that values diversity and strengthens belonging, connection and psychological safety through sports, community service and extracurricular activities.
Develop and manage the Student Life Division's budget, oversee funding processes and policies, and align resources with student needs and institutional outcomes.
Lead and develop diverse teams, evaluating personnel, programmes and services against student success outcomes and service responsiveness.
Use technology, student success dashboards and progress tracking systems to monitor retention, academic progression, graduation, employability and service responsiveness.
Work with IT Services and academic teams to coordinate student information, academic progress, engagement and support records, enabling timely interventions and follow-up.
Ensure appropriate access controls, confidentiality and data protection in the management of student information.
Collaborate with the Legal and Quality Assurance Offices to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes and University requirements.
Oversee student judicial services and fair disciplinary procedures while upholding safeguarding responsibilities, confidentiality and sound management of student-related institutional risks.
Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as assigned by the Vice Chancellor.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of specialisation from a recognised university or equivalent.
Membership of a relevant professional body.
At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in a university student success, wellbeing, advocacy or related student experience function at a senior level.
At least five (5) years of teaching experience or experience in the management of student life-related activities.
Thorough knowledge of university administration and practices, including policy implementation, funding and budget processes.
Proven ability to bring together faculty, staff, academic administration and campus administrators to address complex student-oriented issues and build consensus on solutions.
Experience in student matters within and beyond the classroom, including student government, and the ability to connect service delivery with student achievement, wellbeing and engagement.

Key Skills and Competencies

Strategic leadership and execution, including translating institutional strategy into measurable student success outcomes and performance targets.
Data analytics and evidence-based decision-making, including interpreting retention, attrition, progression, graduation, engagement and wellbeing data.
Collaborative and cross-functional leadership, with the ability to bring academic and administrative teams together and build consensus.
Change management and the ability to lead the transition towards proactive, integrated and preventive student support services.
Governance, ethics and risk management, including knowledge of student policies, safeguarding, confidentiality and disciplinary procedures.
Emotional and social intelligence, empathy, self-awareness and the ability to build trust while making fair decisions.
Cultural intelligence and inclusion, with the ability to recognise barriers to participation and promote belonging, respect and psychological safety.
Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Financial and resource management, including budget oversight, resource prioritisation and alignment of expenditure with student needs.
Technology-enabled student success, including the use of student information systems, analytics, digital support tools and dashboards to monitor student progress and coordinate interventions.
Ability to maintain reliable records, appropriate access controls and confidentiality when handling student data.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the online application portal by Friday, November 27, 2026.

Application Link: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life at USIU-Africa (Online Application Link)