Partnerships & Communications Manager job at Mbuya Graduate Transition Centre

1. Organizational Context

Mbuya Graduate Transition Centre (MGTC) is a specialized Business Development Services (BDS) institution based in Mbuya, Kampala. MGTC provides competency-based transition support that enables graduates from secondary, TVET, tertiary and university pathways to move into employment, entrepreneurship or enterprise growth.

The Centre’s programme combines an intensive 8-week full-time immersive track and a 20–24 week hybrid track, supported by a common learning architecture, Peer Accountability Groups, career pathways and sector-based Innovation Labs. The programme is designed to align with Uganda’s National BDS Standards.

MGTC’s model depends on external relationships at every stage of the graduate journey from employer partners for Pathway A, mentors and investors for Demo Day, to university referral pipelines for recruitment, and donor funders for sustainability. This role exists to help build these relationships and recognizes that the Centre needs a single owner of its brand and external voice as it establishes credibility from a standing start. The role directly supports MGTC’s strategic objectives around ecosystem coordination and national BDS positioning by ensuring the Centre is visible, trusted and well-networked.

2. Job Purpose 

The Partnerships & Communications Manager is responsible for developing and managing MGTC’s strategic partnerships, business development opportunities, communications and institutional visibility.

The role builds and maintains relationships with employers, industry, universities and TVET institutions, government, development partners, investors, mentors and other ecosystem actors to strengthen graduate employment and enterprise opportunities, support resource mobilisation and contribute to MGTC’s institutional growth.

The Manager also leads MGTC’s communications and visibility, including brand consistency, digital and print content, and coordination of the Centre’s flagship events. The Manager is further responsible for ensuring that the programmes, achievements, evidence and value proposition are effectively communicated to relevant audiences. and that strategic partnerships are translated into tangible opportunities and support for MGTC and its graduates.The Manager operates within the overall brand and reputation stewardship that the Centre Director holds at institutional level.

3. Key Duties and Responsibilities

3.1 Strategic Partnerships and Business Development

• Develop and implement MGTC’s partnership and business development strategy in line with institutional priorities.
• Identify, cultivate and manage relationships with employers, industry partners, universities, TVET institutions, government, development partners, investors and other strategic stakeholders.
• Support negotiation and formalisation of strategic partnership agreements and keep partnership commitments on track for follow-through.

3.2 Employer and Industry Engagement

• Facilitate employer participation in Applied Projects, Innovation Labs, Demo Day and other MGTC activities.
• Develop opportunities for internships, placements, mentorship, project collaboration and other forms of graduate engagement.
• Maintain an up-to-date network of employers and industry contacts relevant to MGTC’s career pathways.

3.3 Resource Mobilization Support

• Identify funding and investment opportunities aligned with MGTC’s strategic priorities.
• Contribute to concept notes, proposals, partnership pitches and other resource mobilisation materials.
• Support the Centre Director in cultivating relationships with donors, investors and strategic funders.

3.4 Communications and Institutional Visibility

• Develop and implement MGTC’s communications and visibility strategy.
• Manage institutional communications across appropriate digital, media and stakeholder channels.
• Develop high-quality communications materials including success stories, profiles, programme updates, briefs and promotional content.
• Ensure consistent MGTC branding, messaging and positioning, in line with the Centre Director’s overall reputation stewardship.
• Support visibility of graduate achievements, employer partnerships and programme impact.

3.5 Stakeholder Engagement and Events

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, including industry events, partner meetings, Demo Day and graduation-related engagements.
• Support the Centre’s representation at relevant sector, business and development platforms.

3.6 Partnership Performance and Reporting

• Own and maintain MGTC’s structured partnership and business-development database including prospects, proposals, agreements, commitments and pipeline; as the single system of record referenced by all other partnership duties. 
• Track partnership performance, commitments and outcomes.
• Provide regular reports to the Centre Director on partnership development, business opportunities and communications performance.
• Work with the Programmes Manager and MELQ Lead to capture and communicate evidence of partnership and graduate outcomes.

4. Required Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business administration, development studies, public relations, international relations or a related field.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Professional qualification in communications, marketing, business development, fundraising or related discipline.

5. Professional Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, business development, communications, fundraising, stakeholder engagement or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing strategic partnerships.
• Experience working with private-sector, government, development, education or investment stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, resource mobilisation or partnership acquisition.
• Experience developing and implementing communications or visibility strategies.
• Experience in education, employability, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, BDS or a related field is desirable.

6. Core Competencies

• Strategic partnership development
• Business development and resource mobilisation
• Stakeholder relationship management
• Employer and industry engagement
• Communications and institutional positioning
• Proposal and concept development
• Negotiation and influencing
• Event and stakeholder engagement
• Digital communications and content development
• Strong writing and presentation skills

7. Working Conditions

• Full-time position based at the MGTC, Mbuya campus, with regular external engagement across employer, partner and stakeholder sites.
• Regular local travel for employer visits, partner meetings and stakeholder platforms.
• Occasional regional travel may be required for donors, investors or partnership engagements.
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments for industry events, Demo Day and graduation.
• The appointment is subject to a six (6)-month probationary period, with confirmation contingent on a satisfactory performance review, followed by a notice period as specified in the employment contract and MGTC HR Policy.

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