Business Support Executive / PA to CEO Job in Kenya

Our business interests are in the construction, real estate and telecommunications sectors. We have operations in Kenya, South Sudan and we are looking to grow into Rwanda. Our vision is to ‘Provide solutions for Africa in Africa’.

Business Support Executive / PA to CEO

Reporting to the Group Chief Executive Officer the job holder will be expected to provide high level business, strategic and technical support to the CEOs office in order to optimize his personal effectiveness

Specific Roles & Responsibilities

Business Management

• Accountable for managing the CEO’s office on a daily basis.
• Divert as much of the routine/less complex matters as possible away from the CEO thereby leaving him free to concentrate on only the most important matters
• Act as the main reference point both in the presence and absence of the Principal. Respond to/resolve a wide range of queries, channeling to the appropriate area(s) as is necessary.
• Act as focal point for CEOs office in tracking strategy implementation and collating reports on the same for CEO.
• Liaise with management and staff regarding a wide range of ongoing matters.
• Undertake research of detailed information on a wide variety of internal/external matters.
• Accompany the CEO on official business engagements visits and take responsibility for driving and completing resultant work/actions.
• Respond to correspondence both internal and external
• Undertake any projects or initiatives handed down by the CEO. This will include research work, collection and questioning of information, attendance of meetings, strategic input, production of reports etc.

Information and Knowledge Management

• Monitor ongoing correspondence/reports highlighting pertinent items and bringing to CEO’s attention or dealing with personally, implementing any appropriate action.
• Accountable for the production of all communication material including CEO’s circulars, reports speeches and presentation material to support the business information cascade both internally and externally.
• Request and collect information from the Heads of department as required
• Collect and coordinate the monthly performance results for all the departments for review by the CEO

Secretariat responsibilities

• Assist in keeping the CEO’s diary scheduling/rescheduling appointments, meetings etc.
• Book all travel arrangements and accommodation, planning full itineraries, where necessary arrange travel facilities, visas, medical requirements etc.
• Organize a wide range of meetings, appointments, functions etc. Liaise with internal/external contacts, visiting and vetting locations, agreeing dates, menus, prices etc.
• Compile agendas, prepare briefs, and circulate papers, in anticipation of meetings.
• Attend a variety of meetings in support to the CEO, taking minutes, diarizing for follow-up procedures/action as required.

Skills & Competencies

• Business related degree
• Must be aged between 27- 35 years
• Strong business acumen with ability to quickly connect with business issues and make value-adding analysis
• Dynamic and strategic thinking and ability to connect details with the bigger picture
• Previous working experience in a professional firm particularly in the construction industry
• Excellent Administrative skills including personal organization, coordination and prioritization ability
• Analytical and numerical skills to enable the jobholder deal with financials
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including proven report and proposal writing skills
• Proven PC skills, highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications including ability to develop high impact presentations
• Significant relationship and interpersonal skills with strong tact and diplomacy to deal with the variety of people and situations (cross-cultural sensitivity)
• Strong drive and energy, self-motivated, effective under pressure willing to take personal responsibility and accountability
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate a variety of activities/projects simultaneously
• High degree of integrity, honesty and confidentiality
• Exceedingly attentive to details, ability to focus and conduct business with few errors

How to Apply

Interested candidates holding the necessary requirements are encouraged to send their CV’s together with a one page letter that explains your motivation for applying for the position and how your experience and qualifications make you the best candidate for this job

We are offering an attractive remuneration and benefits, a pleasant working environment and an opportunity for challenging career growth.

Apply via email to hrmtalent@gmail.com, stating your current and expected remuneration by 24th February 2012.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

World Agroforestry Centre - Administrative Assistant (RMG) Job in Kenya

About the organization

The World Agroforestry Centre is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods.

As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

The job specifically includes the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide administrative leadership for Research Methods Group’s and Geo-Informatics Unit (RMG and GIU).
• Manage the software licence handled by RMG and GIU and ensure that it is distributed to all users on campus
• Administer user requests of ICRAF’s research data repository
• Coordinate logistics for pre and post travel arrangements for incoming and outgoing missions
• Liaise with HR on staff and consultancy contracts matters
• Liaise with procurement and finance offices for timely purchase of project goods and services
• Maintain the asset portfolios of the units
• Monitor units expenses
• Draft letters/reports, scheduling appointments and providing support in development of presentations and public awareness materials
• Ensure proper filing and archiving of project documents
• Any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor of Business Administration/Social Science Degree or relevant degree
• A post graduate diploma in project management will be an added advantage
• Good understanding of budgeting and financial management procedures
• Proficiency in database applications and MS office suite
• At least 3 years’ experience in project administration
• Experience in an NGO or international organization environment will be an added advantage
• Excellent interpersonal communication and good organization skills required
• Good English communication skills, both written and spoken
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Proficient in following up issues and resolution
• Team player and highly motivated
• Outstanding presentation of initiative

Terms of offer

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women.

This position is remunerated on local terms.

The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a six (6) months’ probation period.

How to apply

Prepare:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position, and your salary expectations.
• Detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone numbers and email addresses, and fax details, if available.

Address these to:

The Human Resources Unit,
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),
PO Box 30677, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

OR send via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org.

Indicate “Application for an Administrative Assistant-RMG” on the application letter.

Applications will be considered until 15 February 2012.

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

To learn more about us, visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

World Agroforestry Centre - Assistant Statistician (Research Methods Group) Job in Kenya

About the organization

The World Agroforestry Centre is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods.

As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

The job specifically includes the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide support to the Research Methods Group (RMG) in data analysis and data mining of survey data
• Assist with the documentation of tools and methods
• Assist with preparation of scientific publications.

Qualifications and experience

• BA/BSc degree in Statistics, Bio-Statistics, Bio-Informatics or Natural Resource Management
• Professional qualifications in statistical software languages for the analysis of data and ability to program in one or more of the following: STATA, SPSS, R
• At least 2 years of experience in research data analysis
• Extensive knowledge and experience in using R language for data management and analysis
• Previous experience in data management and report writing preferred
• Understanding and experience of applied agricultural research will be an added advantage
• Excellent interpersonal communication and good personal organization skills required
• Excellent command of spoken and written English.

Terms of offer

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women.

This position is remunerated on local terms.

The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a six (6) months’ probation period.

How to apply

Prepare:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position, and your salary expectations.
• A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone numbers and email addresses, and fax details, if available.

Address these to:

The Human Resources Unit,
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),
PO Box 30677, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

OR send via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org.

Indicate “Application for an Assistant Statistician –RMG” on the application letter.

Applications will be considered until 15 February 2012.

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

To learn more about us, visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

Mercy Corps - Deputy Chief of Party (Yes Youth Can) Job in Kenya

Mercy Corps has recently been awarded a 3-year program under USAID’s Yes Youth Can initiative, covering six regions in Kenya; Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Nairobi and Coast.

The core of this program is a Youth Innovate for Change Fund (YICF), which will be a youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed financial facility to support local solutions for community economic development as it grows in value.

This program aims to appropriately empower Kenyan youth (15-35yrs) to strengthen their socio-economic and political stakes through youth-led and managed initiatives and institutions.

The YICF will in the first three years provide sustainable financial and skills development assistance to approximately 200,000 youth through a variety of youth-identified social and economic community development projects.

Program/ Department Summary:

The Yes Youth Can initiative is an upcoming USAID program that focuses on building youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed institutional arrangements and capabilities at both national and county levels.

The Yes Youth Can Program has five objectives:

(1) increase economic prospects for youth through skills development and access to finance to create: economically viable microenterprises; self-reliant community level economic development projects, and; employment opportunities

(2) improve youth voice in local, regional, and national policy dialogue through enhanced advocacy capabilities and inter-ethnic dialogue

(3) expand youth access to essential services that are more youth-friendly

(4) establish new institutional arrangements that can leverage public and private resources through youth-managed organizations; and

(5) create a new approach to empower youth through youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed actions.

Mercy Corps Kenya has been responding to the violence in Kenya following disputed presidential elections in December 2007 through the Local Empowerment for Peace (LEAP) program in Rift Valley province.

LEAP is working with communities especially affected by the violence to build the capacity local level Peace Committees and stimulate dialogue on the underlying causes of conflict.

The project has a strong Youth focus through cash-fork programming for at-risk beneficiaries and longer-term income generation activities for youth-led microenterprises.

The sister program, LEAP Sport is supporting more than 3,000 inter-ethnic sports teams with training in teamwork, cooperation, reconciliation, and non-violent conflict resolution.

General Position Summary:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) – “Yes Youth Can” will work under the direction of the Chief of Party (CoP) and provide oversight of all Yes Youth Can activities. The DCoP is responsible for ensuring compliance with all donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps policies and procedures. S/he will be responsible

The DCOP of Yes Youth Can will directly manage project staff and will work closely with them to ensure high quality and the timely implementation of activities.

The level of oversight will require traveling to field sites, representation, and coordination with project partners and external stakeholders, such as local and international NGOs, CBOs, business groups, and local and central government authorities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead program operations, compliance and reporting to the donor on all components related to the project;
• Work with the CoP and Program Managers to develop future strategy for the program and ensure that it continues to meet USAID requirements and standards.
• Engage in donor and government communication as necessary
• Oversee and monitor program spending in appropriate program areas on a monthly basis; ensure that the program spends within budget at all times, and report any anomalies in a timely manner;
• Ensure that project performance is evaluated effectively, including coordinating internal and external performance review;
• Communicate any security concerns and relay security regulations to staff;
• Management and mentorship of local program staff and other partners, gradually transferring skills and capacities;
• Representation and coordination with donor, local governance institutions, local partners, private sector, and other project stakeholders;
• Regular reporting to the Chief of Party and donor on program progress, ensuring that required deliverables are met in a timely fashion;
• Provide cover for the CoP, in his/her absence
• Engage and develop joint initiatives with government, community leaders, NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders, providing heightened exposure and maximizing impact of the project;
• Oversee project logistics management, ensuring required program/project supplies reach the field and are purchased in accordance with donor and Mercy Corps policy
• Work with project staff on an ongoing basis to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation and joint monitoring and evaluation of program activities and achievements towards project goals.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility: Overall supervision of the finance and operations staff on the program team including expatriate and national staff; and local and international sub-grantees.

Accountability:

Reports Directly To: Yes Youth Can Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Chief of Party, Yes Youth Can CoP Rift Valley and Central Province (program I), Operations/Finance Staff

Knowledge and Experience:

• MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field.
• 5 to 7 years experience in international development;
• Strong understanding of USAID compliance issues.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation
• Proven program leadership, management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• History of working effectively and respectfully with host government, NGOs, contractors and other partners;
• Ability to effectively convey programmatic goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of program and external stakeholders;
• Experience managing youth, conflict/reconciliation, job skills/employment and/or civic education programs preferred

Success Factors:

• Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership approach
• Creative and insightful as regards programming for youth and reconciliation
• Excellent communication and team-building techniques
• Proven experience managing and building capacity of diverse teams (expatriate and national)
• Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect
• Commitment to oversee project for its duration

Living /Environmental Conditions:

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nairobi is an accompanied post for spouse and children. Nairobi is a major metropolitan center with world class healthcare and excellent education options.

Mercy Corps provides expatriate staff with a housing allowance that covers rent, utilities, and security for comfortable accommodations in safe areas of the city.

Telephone and internet access is available and there are dozens of excellent restaurants along with easy transport links to the rest of Africa and Europe.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting.

Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience
Should submit on or before 20th February, 2012 at 4.00 p.m. a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject;
“Application for the position of Deputy Chief of Party”

Applications without this subject heading will be disqualified.

Please do not attach any certificates.

(ONLY Qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted)