Website Manager and Designer

Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a pioneering, mission-driven organisation working to build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Founded and fully funded by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund, the Foundation represents a new model of philanthropic capitalism: a private endowment using its own capital to design, fund, and operate development programmes with private-sector discipline and long-term commitment.

Over the next decade, the Foundation’s ambition is to deliver lasting impact across three interdependent missions:

1. Empowering the next generation through affordable, high-quality education.
2. Solving water scarcity by building and operating sustainable water infrastructure.
3. Driving economic productivity by unlocking jobs, investment, and innovation through both non-profit and for-profit ventures.

The Foundation operates in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, and Rwanda, employing more than 750 people. It combines a not-for-profit engine: Pharo Development, with a for-profit engine, Pharo Ventures, which builds and operates sustainable businesses to create jobs and advance economic self-reliance.

Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a diverse and evolving web ecosystem at the heart of the Pharo Foundation’s work. Spanning our main Foundation site, schools platform, Ventures portfolio, and internal intranet, the role offers the chance to shape how Pharo presents itself to global audiences while ensuring our digital platforms remain dynamic, accessible, and aligned with our mission. Sitting at the intersection of Communications and IT, you will play a central role in connecting storytelling, technology, and user experience. In this role, we expect fluency with AI tools. A significant portion of this role, including content drafts, image editing, SEO audits, accessibility reviews, copy iteration, can be accelerated with the right tools. We want someone who already works this way.

As our work grows, so too will our digital presence. This role offers the opportunity not only to maintain and improve existing sites, but also to contribute creatively to new builds and redesigns, working independently and alongside external partners. It’s a hands-on position for someone who enjoys both the technical and design sides of web management, and who is excited by the prospect of building and evolving platforms that support meaningful impact across multiple sectors.

Key relationships

Role:                Website Manager & Designer

Location:         Nairobi, Kenya

Reporting to:  Global Communications Manager with dotted line to Global Director of IT

Functional relationship: Communications Teams (all countries), IT team, Research and Evaluation Team

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain multiple websites (Foundation, Schools, Ventures, and related microsites) to ensure content is accurate, current, and aligned with organisational priorities.
• Coordinate updates across teams (Comms, IT, Ventures) to keep messaging, branding, and functionality consistent.
• Use and manage various CMS and backend platforms to implement updates, troubleshoot issues, and optimise performance.
• Oversee website governance, including structure, content workflows, permissions, and version control.
• Support the design, build, and launch of new websites or major redesigns, working independently or alongside external agencies.
• Ensure websites follow best practices in UX/UI, accessibility, SEO, and mobile responsiveness.
• Monitor site performance using analytics tools and recommend improvements based on data insights.
• Act as the primary point of contact for web-related requests across the organisation.
• Support internal platforms such as the Pharo Library, ensuring usability and relevance for staff.
• Maintain documentation for website systems, processes, and standards.
• Update platforms and packages used to latest security standards.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

• At least Bachelors Degree in Information and Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or any related field.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience
• Proven experience managing and updating multiple websites, ideally across different CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Webflow, Drupal, or similar).
• Experience working in a cross-functional role bridging communications/content and technical teams.
• Demonstrated involvement in website redesigns or new site launches.
• Familiarity with working alongside external web agencies or developers.
• Good understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS, possibly JavaScript) and hosting environments.
• Experience with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) and SEO best practices.
• Experience managing intranet or internal digital platforms is a plus.
• Strong organisational experience, ideally in a multi-project or multi-site environment.

Desired Skills

• Demonstrable use of AI tools in your workflow — content generation, image editing, SEO, accessibility, or similar.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high content and design standards.
• Good eye for design, layout, and user experience.
• Ability to translate non-technical requirements into practical website updates.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot issues independently.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple websites and requests simultaneously.
• Adaptability in working with different tools, systems, and evolving organisational needs.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across Comms, IT, and external partners.

Pharo Foundation at a Glance

• Type: Privately funded philanthropic foundation
• Funding: Fully financed by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund
• Missions: Education, Water, and Productivity
• Structure: Dual-engine model Pharo Development (non-profit) and Pharo Ventures (for-profit)

Application Procedure

Applicants are required to attach a detailed CV and a cover letter.

We will review applications on a rolling basis, and in the event that an exceptional candidate is identified early in the process, Pharo Foundation reserves the right to make an appointment before the advertised deadline. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to the high volume of applications received.

Pharo Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in all its practices. We encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or background