HR/353/20 – Business Support Officer II

Business Support Officer II (Executive Assistant)

icipe is a pan-African and non-profit Centre of Excellence for research and development and capacity building in insect science and its applications. Its mission is to help alleviate poverty, ensure food and nutritional security and improve the overall health status of peoples of the tropics by developing and extending management tools and strategies for harmful and useful arthropods, while preserving the natural resource base through research and capacity building. Since its establishment in 1970, icipe has become a significant contributor to science and innovation required to meet the health and food security challenges of sub-Saharan Africa. The Centre has achieved this status by developing alternative and environmentally friendly pest and vector management technologies and products that are effective, selective, non-polluting, non-resistance inducing, and are affordable to resource-limited rural and urban communities. icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with offices in Ethiopia and Uganda, a major station on the shores of Lake Victoria, and several other field stations in Kenya. Employing close to 500 international and national staff, icipe also has approximately 150 graduate students who contribute to its research portfolio annually. The Centre currently has operations in more than 40 African countries, and thriving partnerships with universities and research organizations across the world. (www.icipe.org)

Please also download icipe’s Vision and Strategy 2013–2020 http://www.icipe.org/system/files_force/about/corporate_publications_files/icipe_Vision_and_Strategy_20132020.pdf

icipe seeks to recruit a Business Support Officer II (Executive Assistant) in the Director General’s Office. The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. This is a two-year contract, renewable subject to continued position needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member. This is a nationally recruited position. A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Overall Purpose of the Job The position holder will provide executive secretarial and administrative services of a confidential nature to the Director General’s office; support the Director General in managing her daily schedule, e.g. agenda management, correspondence, making appointments, preparation of documentation for meetings, and liaising with other senior staff within the Centre.

Specific Duties The successful candidate will be expected to: Manage information flow of all critical communication and documentation to and from the Director General’s Office (including telephone, e-mails, faxes etc.) through a well maintained and operated system. Process correspondence for proper distribution, filing and follow up. Maintain an up-to-date database of addresses of all donors, collaborators, associates and contacts of icipe. Collate and analyze information on various issues upon request from the Director General. Make travel arrangements (flight reservations, hotel bookings and visa procurement for the Director General), maintain an up-to-date travel schedule and manage the Director General’s frequent flyer programme. Assist in planning of meetings involving the Director General and/or other senior staff. Take minutes of meetings of the Director General and other senior staff as required from time to time. Prepare a budget for and manage on a daily basis all office supplies in the Director General’s office. Prepare and monitor expenditure of the Director General’s office.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT (Ref. No. NRS/414/052020)

 Maintain filing systems for both electronic and hard copies of data/documents held in the office of the Director General. Manage the logistics of Governing Council meetings (travel and accommodation, visas and per diems). Perform any other duties that may be assigned to guarantee optimal and efficient management of the Director General’s office.

Requirements/Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and certification in a relevant course/area such as administration or project management. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access). Five (5) years’ experience in providing support to top management in an international organization.

Core Competencies ▪ Ability to work independently and with professional discretion. ▪ Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and work with a broad range of people.

Other Desirable Attributes Good communication and writing skills. Effective organizational and analytical problem-solving skills. Excellent writing, editing, grammatical, and organizational skills.

Reporting This position reports to the Director General.

HOW TO APPLY Applications will be accepted up to 13th May 2020. Interested applicants should submit: (a) a confidential cover letter; (b) detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees, including e-mail addresses; and (c) a statement illustrating suitability against the listed qualifications/competencies/abilities, and skills.

Candidates are required to apply online through: http://recruit.icipe.org or by Email: recruitment@icipe.org

icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.