Associate, Africa

at  Milken Institute

ABOUT THE MILKEN INSTITUTE

The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.

ABOUT MILKEN INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL

MI International is committed to enhancing the Milken Institute’s global impact, connectivity, and programmatic efforts by deploying staff resources strategically, cultivating our global network, and creating high-end bespoke convening platforms. We aim to increase opportunities and resources that provide access to capital, create shared prosperity, and improve health systems around the world. Our strategy includes building “regional Milken Institute communities” of like-minded leaders with shared values and goals to address regional and global challenges.
The Africa team is focused on informing and empowering developing-country policymakers seeking to strengthen and deepen domestic capital markets, thereby catalyzing private-sector-led growth and long-term economic opportunity in those countries. Additionally, the team supports the development and implementation of sustainable investment and economic growth through its Africa Leaders Business Council and continent-focused events globally. The team engages as a neutral convener, a source of international expertise, and a catalyst of human and social capital for government agencies and civil society organizations in developing countries that are seeking to design and execute strategic policy plans for financial-market development.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Milken Institute is seeking a full-time temporary contract employee available for eight months (with potential to extend), from October 1 through May 31, 2025, who will help with administration, coordination, and communication with ongoing initiatives such as the Milken Institute’s Global Financial Scholars Programs, and the Milken Institute’s Africa Strategy and Africa Leaders Business Council on a daily basis. The employee will report to the Directors of the Milken Institute International – Africa team. This is an exciting opportunity for an entry-to-mid-level entrepreneurial candidate with strong organizational skills and outstanding inter-personal and human resources skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have exceptional written and communication skills, with ability to juggle concurrent projects and responsibilities in an organized and responsive manner, adhering to time sensitive deadlines.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative to work independently and collaboratively, within the Africa team or across departments at the Institute, with the perspective that “no task is too small.”
• Have a keen eye to detail, especially when handling sensitive or personal information.
• Experience with project management software and databases a plus, such as Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and Airtable.
• Showcased interest in working with developing and emerging economies (especially in Africa); having an understanding of policy or regulatory institutions in developing countries or regions would be a distinct advantage.
• Priority will be given to candidates with a strong background/experience working with African stakeholders.

WORKING CONDITIONS & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position will work in a professional office environment. This person may be required to travel occasionally to local venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.

• Managing projects and liaising with external relationships and organizations, including the Global Financial Scholars and its internship interview process, communicating with prospective internship providers in the US and UK, securing internship offer letters for the Scholars, and generally troubleshooting logistics, big and small around this program.
• Coordinating online and in-person meeting management (zoom links, sending reminders to attendees, etc.) for both US and UK cohorts of Scholars, as well as for the team more broadly as needed.
• Scheduling and coordinating the Fall 2024 Speaker Series for both programs (in the US and UK), in collaboration with external speakers and companies as well as with our program partners at the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Treasury, Georgetown University, and Bayes Business School.
• Supporting logistics for MI International Africa events, such as: private sideline events of the United Nations General Assembly, the policy roundtables, and the Global Financial Scholars program alumni retreat.
• Serving as support liaison for members of the recently launched Africa Leaders Business Council, which entails regular communications, invoicing and tracking member paperwork, planning quarterly calls and preparing write-ups or newsletter materials as appropriate.
• Providing general support to the MI International-Africa team and other company wide priorities such as organizing panel prep materials, conducting prospect research and briefings, and supporting MI International senior leadership as directed.