Private Schools Operations and Strategy Intern

The context: 

Across the developing world, more children than ever are in school – but they are not learning. A recent study estimated that less than 1% of school children in Sub-Saharan Africa attend a school where the teaching meets basic standards of quality. At Rising Academies, we’re changing that, and we want your help. Our mission is to create the best schools and the most powerful teaching and learning tools for the people that need it most. We’re one of the fastest-growing quality-focused education companies in Africa, and a Certified B Corp®. 

About us:

We own and operate our own great value private schools, partner with governments to improve the quality of public school systems, and use our content and technology to help other education providers. Founded in Sierra Leone in 2014, we provided emergency education to children kept out of school by the Ebola Epidemic before opening our first school in April 2015. Today, we serve more than 250,000 students across more than 900 schools in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and now Rwanda.

Through great curriculum, intensive teacher coaching and actionable data, we help teachers and school leaders bring quality to every classroom. And we get results: independent studies show Rising students make more than twice the progress of their peers in comparable schools. In June 2024, one of our private schools in Sierra Leone - Rising Academy Waterloo - was shortlisted in the Top 10 for the World's Best School Prizes in the Overcoming Adversity category. Sierra Leone's Minister for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Mr. Conrad Sackey, helped announce this honor.

About the role:

We are looking for an exceptional intern to join our Private School team at Rising. The Private Schools Operations and Strategy Intern will focus on contributing to analysis and execution of adjustments to the Rising Private School model in Ghana

The Private Schools Operations and Strategy Intern will:

• Examine various aspects of our private schools business to understand additional opportunities for improvement and long-term growth.
• Support implementation of ongoing adjustments to our private school operations to optimize efficiency and impact.
• Support our yearly process of assessing and improving the quality of education and delivery in our private schools.

Location and reporting

This is a full-time summer internship, based in Ghana. Intern will report to our Head of Private Schools with support from key members of the Ghana Private Schools team.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The target start-date will be June 2025 or earlier.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a masters degree in Education Management, Public Policy, Development, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Previous work experience or internship in operations, strategy, education management, consulting, or related fields is a plus.
• You are a strong communicator, able to engage with school leaders, teachers, and internal teams to support and drive operational excellence and impact.
• You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently.
• You have strong analytical skills and can evaluate operational models, identifying areas for improvement and making data-driven recommendations.
• You set high standards for yourself and others, taking initiative and going the extra mile.
• You demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and trustworthiness.
• You build rapport quickly and foster strong relationships to support strategic initiatives.
• You are passionate about improving the quality of education across the continent.
• Experience working in a developing country is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is unpaid, but we can provide in-country work-related transport, and other arrangements.

Rising is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, national origin, family or parental status, veteran or disability status.

Rising is committed to creating a culture within the organisation, and its schools, that recognises the importance of safeguarding children and prioritising their rights and needs. We strive to uphold international safeguarding standards, and keep the safety and well-being of our students at the heart of what we do. All Rising employees are expected to abide by the Child Protection Policy, and to have the same level of commitment to protect children from harm. Safeguarding questions are part of every interview process and all Rising employees undergo reference checks before joining the organisation.