About the roleAs Executive Assistant you will support our small and growing East Africa team in administrative tasks and running of the office. Additionally, you will get involved in research work and portfolio engagement. You will over time get more and more exposure to our activities, projects and social innovation platforms.
Executive Assistant Job Responsibilities
Managing the day-to-day administrative activities of the office
Provide executive support for SAF and SF
Make travel arrangements for the team (flights, hotels, visas etc)
Maintain the team’s calendar of travel and conferences
Develop and carry out an efficient documentation and filing system
Maintain the office and manage relationship with landlord
Scheduling meetings and calls, managing RSVPs, reminders and agendas
Handle incoming calls, messages and route correspondence adequately
Handle arising requests and queries appropriately
Monitor office supplies and research advantageous deals or suppliers
Support team members in their work
Join team members for external meetings and take and compile actionable minutes
Taking minutes during team meetings and calls and write up the minutes in an organized way for distribution
Support in projects, research and portfolio engagement
Conduct research on agri sector, impact investing and other relevant subjects and compile relevant information
Basic screening of incoming funding requests and highlighting recommendations to management
Based on our focus areas, research and review potential grantee projects, further dig into their context to analyse their viability and compile relevant information
Editing correspondence, reports and presentations.
Financial management
Liasing with the external accountant where required
Compile quarterly expense reports
In the future, you may take up more book-keeping and accounting work if interested
Qualifications for the Executive Assistant Job
You are passionate about social justice issues
Proven experience as an executive administrative assistant or in other secretarial position
You have exemplary planning and time management skills
You are comfortable in a start up with few structures
You have worked with people from different cultures before
You take initiative and have critical thinking skills
You are flexible, resourceful and solutions-oriented
You have an eye for finding and fixing inefficiencies
You have the capacity to identify details and project their impact on bigger picture strategy
You are passionate, ambitious and eager to push yourself and the team to learn and grow
You know how to grasp instructions and implement them with little or no follow up
Your friends mention your strong interpersonal skills
Experience in projects related to agribusiness sectors will be a plus
Full comprehension of office management systems and procedures
Excellent knowledge of MS Office, up-to-date with office gadgets, conference calling applications etc
Great verbal communication and writing skills, excellent English
Ability to multitask, manage multiple roles and prioritize daily workload
Discretion and confidentiality
Accounting and financial management skills will be an added advantage
You have the cultural fit to work at Schooner Africa Foundation if:
You think of social issues and innovative approaches.
You are curious and naturally driven to learn new things.
You feel comfortable working in fast growing environments and flexibly adapt to changes.
You have high energy, are mature and enjoy working autonomously and as a member of a team.
You are willing to work longer hours into the evening on occasion to accommodate the US-based team.
Why work with us?
Purpose-driven organization and role.
Get exposed to agribusiness realities. Learn about social innovation across the continent and design your own personal and professional learning journey.
You will join a youthful, international and ambitious team.
You get to interact with the investment and philanthropic community across Africa.
Other information
This opportunity is based in Nairobi. Working hours will be 10am to 6.30pm given regular communication with the US is required. We will arrange a 3-month probation period with learning and performance objectives.
