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SmartStart, Business Process Re-engineering and Automation Associate

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About the portfolio organization

SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs & partners realising quality, affordable early learning for all 3-5-year olds, inclusively — through scaling a network of, and building a platform for, providers; achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners; and “evangelising” for early learning as a priority societal cause.   

SmartStart has extended quality access to, and demonstrated on-track early learning outcomes for, excluded children; established a trusted network serving 100,000+ children weekly (~11,000 practitioners supported by 14 partner organisations); constructed key parts of a platform for population-scale; and supported development of government’s first national early learning strategy. This yields momentum among social investors as SmartStart scales in SA — and beyond. 

About the Fellowship role

We are looking for a Business Process Associate to support the Business Process Expert in mapping, documenting, and improving SmartStart’s core programme and platform business processes. This role will assist in analysing existing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and supporting the co-design and implementation of scalable, efficient, and sustainable solutions. This role will play a key part in identifying manual process improvements while also assessing opportunities for process automation to enhance efficiency and scalability, and ensuring that automation solutions are effectively designed and implemented in collaboration with the Information Technology Department  
 
Fellowship location: Hybrid: Johannesburg, South Africa 
Employment: Full-time, one-year Fellowship 
Starting Date: July- September 2025 
 

Key responsibilities

  • Process and Business Optimisation: Support in process mapping, documentation, and analysis across departments to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.  
  • Requirements Gathering: Work closely with stakeholders to elicit, document, and validate business requirements, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.  
  • Manual Process Enhancements & Automation Identification: Support improvements in manual processes while identifying opportunities for automation to enhance efficiency and scalability.  
  • Translating Business Needs into Technical Solutions: Collaborate with the Information Technology Department to translate business requirements into functional and technical specifications for automation and system improvements.  
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation: Liaise with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, gather feedback, and support the successful implementation of process changes.  
  • Solution Design & Implementation Support: Support in the co-design and implementation of process improvements and automation solutions, ensuring they are effective and practical for scale.  
  • Documentation & Training: Develop SOPs, process manuals, visual process maps, and user guides to support the adoption of new or improved processes.  
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Support data-driven decision-making by analysing process performance, identifying trends, and preparing reports to track progress and impact.  
  • Change Management Support: Support in change management efforts to drive adoption and ensure smooth transitions to new or improved processes.  

Requirements

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and proactive, with strong problem-solving and collaboration skills. Experience in business analysis, process improvement, operations, and working alongside technical teams on automation initiatives will be highly beneficial.
  
1. Education & Qualifications:  
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, Operations Management, or a related field.  
  • A certification in Business Analysis (e.g., CBAP, CCBA) or Process Improvement (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, BPMN) is an advantage.  
2. Experience:  
  • 3-5 years of experience in business analysis, process improvement, or operations management.  
  • Management consulting experience  
  • Experience in business process mapping, documentation, and optimization.  
  • Exposure to process automation, digital transformation, and system implementation.  
  • Previous experience collaborating with technology teams to translate business requirements into technical specifications is highly desirable.  
 3. Key Skills & Competencies:  
  • Strong ability to map, document, and analyse business processes across different departments.  
  • Experience identifying inefficiencies, pain points, and opportunities for process automation.  
  • Ability to gather, define, and document business requirements, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.  
  • Knowledge of process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, BPMN) to drive efficiency.  
  • Ability to design Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process manuals, and visual process maps.  

Must Haves:
  • 3-5 years of experience in business analysis, process improvement, or operations management.   
  • Management consulting experience  
  • A certification in Business Analysis (e.g., CBAP, CCBA) or Process Improvement (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, BPMN) is an advantage.  
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, Operations Management, or a related field.  
  • South African work permit or authorisation to work in South Africa is required.  

About the LGT Impact Fellowship

As part of LGT Venture Philanthropy's and Lightrock's strategic efforts to scale positive impact, the LGT Impact Fellowship was established to provide additional know-how and capacity to portfolio organisations and companies. Each year a limited number of professionals are nominated to work full-time for one year with the organisations and companies supported by LGT Venture Philanthropy and Lightrock in Africa, India and Latin America as per the above job description.
LGT Impact Fellows are part of an enriching cohort of like-minded Fellows. They benefit from various program activities, including a 1-week in-person kick-off workshop, webinars, access to the network and know-how of LGT Venture Philanthropy, etc.

How to apply

Submit your application via the "Apply" button. Please note that we only accept online applications and that multiple applications are not allowed. However, you are invited to mention additional preferences in your application.
Moreover, please make sure to read all information in the application form carefully and answer the questions accordingly (additional information about the questions are marked with "i").