About You and The Role 

Zipline’s Nest Applications Software team builds and manages the fulfillment, maintenance and flight systems that power our operations in Africa. We are responsible for the software that manages medical inventory, order processing, and flight coordination for automated delivery at scale. Our work spans internal platforms that streamline supply chain, and financial workflows, as well as external-facing applications that allow customers to place and track orders. By connecting every corner of the business through software, we ensure Zipline can operate efficiently, intelligently, and globally.

What You'll Do  

• Deep dive into your users’ problems to simplify operational workflows which enable the business to move efficiently 
• Architect simple, modular, flexible software systems that evolve with fast changing business needs.
• Lead backend and frontend development of major projects across all aspects of a modern tech stack.
• Establish strong automated testing practices across unit, integration, and system layers.
• Improve reliability, observability, and operational robustness of production systems.
• Systematize AI-assisted workflows across development, testing, and operations.
• Maintain clear engineering patterns, code quality standards, and review discipline.
• Mentor junior engineers through direct coaching, pairing, and design reviews.
• Increase team throughput by reducing friction, simplifying architecture, and eliminating waste.

What You'll Bring 

• 8+ years building and operating production-grade distributed systems.
• Deep experience developing full stack software using Python, Go, or a similar object-oriented language.
• Frontend experience using React or similar Javascript frameworks.
• Experience architecting distributed and event-driven systems using Kafka or similar technologies.
• Database modeling and performance tuning experience with Postgres.
• Demonstrated history of designing systems that are simple, flexible, and resilient.
• Proven implementation of comprehensive automated testing strategies.
• Experience driving architectural decisions in fast-changing environments.
• Track record of mentoring and growing junior engineers.

Nice to Haves

• Experience building modern fulfillment, logistics, or warehouse systems.
• Willingness to spend significant time in Kigali, Rwanda, via travel or relocation.
• Production experience with Kubernetes and AWS.

What Else You Need to Know   

The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; overtime pay; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

ABOUT ALU

At the African Leadership University (ALU), we are more than an academic institution, we are a launchpad for Africa’s next generation of leaders. Our mission is bold: to develop ethical, entrepreneurial changemakers who will shape Africa’s future. Through an innovative curriculum, hands-on learning, and a vibrant pan-African community, we equip our students to tackle complex challenges, connect the dots across diverse perspectives, and create solutions that drive lasting impact. We don’t just teach; we nurture adaptable, globally minded problem-solvers ready to thrive in ambiguity, build from scratch, and lead Africa into a prosperous 21st century.

African Leadership University is incorporated in Rwanda as The African Leadership University (ALU) and in Mauritius as the African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE). Each entity is separately accredited to offer qualifications by the Council of Higher Education in Rwanda and the Higher Education Commission in Mauritius. The ALU School of Business (ALUSB) is the engine of education in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship for both campuses. 

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE TEAM

We are a results-driven group dedicated to delivering high-impact, market-relevant programs, including our Executive MBA and Executive Education portfolio. Our mission is to equip Africa's current and aspiring leaders with the skills to drive change in the world of business as well as in the public sector. We are a collaborative and dynamic team, focused on operational excellence, innovation, and strategic alignment to ensure every program we deliver is a best-in-class experience that contributes to ALUSB's reputation and financial sustainability.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a dynamic and visionary Professor of Practice to provide academic leadership in business, finance, economic, international trade and related domain areas within the school of business and for the service of the institution as a whole. The incumbent will serve as  the  intellectual leader and architect for the development of a suite of academic programmes in line with the needs of the Continent and the mission of ALU. The Professor of Practice will serve as an head of the ALUSB faculty, and will lead the development of a research framework appropriate to the mission, program composition, and faculty expertise of the University. 

Working with all relevant stakeholders across both campuses, the incumbent will lead the accreditation and development of post-graduate programs in business, leadership, and adjacent fields in both jurisdictions, with particular urgency given to the accreditation of post-graduate programs in Mauritius. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

This person is the leader of business education encompassing programme design, programme alignment and articulation, quality standards, mission alignment of business education  and overall business efficacy (which includes student satisfaction).  The key performance areas of the role are:

• Financial sustainability: Operate with a growth mindset to drive new streams of revenue while being disciplined in managing cost.
• Programs: In alignment with the Product, LEDI, and QA teams, drive the development and delivery of a portfolio of post-graduate programs attractive to the target audience, in the fields of Business, Economics, Finance and International Trade and International Finance.
• Teaching: Serve as an instructional faculty member within the School of Business in line with professional and educational qualifications.
• Research and scholarship: Devise and foster the research objectives of the institution through independent publications, collaborations with international organisations, and academic supervision of post-graduate students and junior academic staff.
• Brand: In line with ALU’s vision and strategy, contribute to position ALU’s business and leadership education as the best in the continent. 
• Impact: Focus on contributing to the ALU’s aspiration to be a University of first choice with a broad array of highly relevant, high-quality, and desirable programs. 
• Integration: Ensure that (a) undergraduate and postgraduate programmes articulate, and (b) ALU’s business education articulates to industry business needs for employability and venture creation.  
• Quality: Working hand-in-hand with LEDI, Deans and QA team, foster high standards of quality business education. 

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards.

REQUIREMENTS

• Doctoral degree (preferably PhD) in Business, Finance, Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years postdoctoral experience in a senior administrative position in a university (preferably in a business school).
• Minimum 5 years professional industry leadership experience of business, finance, entrepreneurship, or related fields.
• Academic and/or industry experience must include substantive experience in Africa.
• Experience with regulatory and accreditation bodies.
• Strong people leadership skills with a proven track record in driving high performing teams, including leading faculty..
• A strong passion for leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation coupled with a continuous learning mindset.
• Demonstrable success in strategic planning, fiscal management, and resource allocation. 
• Deep expertise in curriculum design and evaluation methods for faculty and staff.
• Ability to collaborate in and with diverse teams. 
• Ability to perform under pressure and cope with tight deadlines.
• Have exposure to a start-up culture (preferable).
• Believe in the potential of students, and see them as active participants in learning, as opposed to passive recipients of information.
• Based in East Africa, with a strong preference for Mauritius or Rwanda, or willingness to relocate.