Job Description

Agency

Aga Khan University

Salary

Salary and package to attract the best candidate

Region

Eastern Africa

The requirements

• A PhD or equivalent. Candidate pursuing a PhD may also apply;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience/transferable skills including 3 to 4 years in a leadership role;
• Must be legally authorized and eligible to work in Kenya at the time of application;
• Proven experience of planning, directing and supervising in a large multi-centre organization;
• Experience working within the East Africa higher education system;
• Experience working with ERP software; PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, would be a great asset;
• Experience working within the structures of regulatory and professional accreditation bodies;
• Proficiency in written and oral English with excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for a diverse population;
• Work in an atmosphere of collegial decision making, demonstrate consensus-building skills, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Proven record of administrative and organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks and meet conflicting deadlines in a timely fashion and with accuracy.

To Apply

• A cover letter outlining suitability for the role and vision for the leading and managing the academic administration and student records functions of the university;
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae;
• Names and contact details of three referees (referees will only be contacted at the final stage of the recruitment process and with the candidate’s express permission).

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to safeguarding and promoting respectful relationships with and between its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, and wider communities. AKU expects all employees, trainees, and partners to share this commitment.

Comprehensive employment reference checks for finalists will be conducted.

Applications should be submitted at the latest by 6th July 2026.

The position

Reporting to the University Registrar, the Registrar, Kenya is responsible for leading and managing the academic administration and student records functions of the university. The role ensures the integrity, accuracy, security, and compliance of academic records and processes across the student lifecycle, including student recruitment, admissions support, registration, progression, graduation, and academic policy implementation.

The role is in addition responsible for driving the achievement of organizational objectives by identifying opportunities for growth, continuous learning, and operational improvement while fostering a high-performance culture.

The incumbent will work collaboratively with academic and administrative departments to provide efficient, student-centred services while maintaining institutional and regulatory compliance. They will serve as a member of the East Africa Executive Committee and be accountable for specific tasks assigned in consultation/information to the University Registrar.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Administration and Student Services

• Lead and oversee student admissions, recruitment, outreach, registration, enrolment, course scheduling, progression, graduation, and academic records management;
• Ensure integrity of admissions processes, compliance with academic regulations, and effective management of student information systems (AKUROSS);
• Coordinate academic calendars, institutional deadlines, transcript issuance, degree verification, certification, and graduation eligibility processes;
• Analyse and report student data to support academic decision-making, quality assurance, and institutional strategic initiatives.

Records Management

• Maintain accurate student records and registration data;
• Support admissions data management, academic regulations guidance, alumni data provision, and student success initiatives.

Governance and Compliance

• Support programme reviews, accreditation requirements, academic policy implementation, committee operations, degree audits, graduation clearance, and statutory reporting;
• Ensure timely issuance of academic correspondence and lead convocation planning, academic verification, and certification processes;
• Drive continuous improvement, workflow optimization, technology integration, data integrity, and academic operations reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with faculty, admissions, finance, student affairs, and academic leadership.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead and supervise registrar office staff and operations;
• Foster service excellence, accountability, operational efficiency, and staff development.

Strategic Contribution

• Develop departmental plans and resource requirements;
• Contribute to University strategic planning and implementation;
• Lead risk management initiatives, planning processes, and budget development and monitoring in collaboration with the University Registrar.