Position Available: Program Assistant
Search closes February 26, 2010
The Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA) seeks a Program Assistant to provide administrative support to department members in the Nairobi office.
Working under the supervision of the Program Officers, the Program Assistant will provide general administrative and programmatic support.
Responsibilities
Search closes February 26, 2010
The Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA) seeks a Program Assistant to provide administrative support to department members in the Nairobi office.
Working under the supervision of the Program Officers, the Program Assistant will provide general administrative and programmatic support.
Responsibilities
- Provide logistic support to program staff: Schedule meeting requests; photocopy, fax and answer e-mail and phone inquiries; handle travel arrangements; take minutes for meetings; draft correspondence; organize conference calls;
- Communicate OSIEA focus areas and funding requirements to outside audiences (usually in response to inquiries).
- Assist Program Officers to identify and assess potential grantees and finalize grant applications and budgets for approval by the director’s office.
- Work closely with the Program Officer and Grants Coordinator in the daily administration of the grant portfolio, including ensuring the timely receipt of statutory narrative and financial reports and other expected outputs
- Systematically record, correctly store and retrieve project information into and from the OSIEA Grant Management System; Monitor the quality of information input and output;
- Maintain regular contact with grantees;
- Process bills, staff expense reports, and reimbursement requests;
- Take a lead role in the preparation of documentation for projects managed in the program office; Prepare consultancy contracts, process consultants’ expense reports, and coordinate consultants’ travel needs;
- Assist in preparation and follow-up of meetings, conferences, seminars, mission plans and itineraries;
- In collaboration with respective program officers; Conduct occasional research and writing assignments; develop information depository on grantees and servicing grantees information; manage and respond to unsolicited funding requests;
- Under the guidance of the program officer, review media reports, monitor relevant internet sites and prepare regular updates relevant to the program issue area;
- Participate in missions where appropriate.
Qualifications:
- University degree in a relevant subject
- Good knowledge of democracy, human rights and governance issues in East Africa.
- Minimum three years prior experience in an administrative/coordination role.
- Experience with experience proposal writing and review preferred;
- Extensive computer skills (expertise with Microsoft Word, Excel and databases required) and ability to learn new software applications ;
- Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse array of people;
- High level of self-motivation and ability to work independently when necessary, as well as commitment to working as a member of a team;
- Ability to manage several simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment;
- Close attention to detail;
- Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition;
- Integrity and professional discretion essential.
OSIEA is based in Nairobi and implements a range of initiatives to advance justice, free speech, public health, and independent media in Eastern Africa.
For more information please visit: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/osiea
Compensation: Competitive salary, with paid benefits
To Apply:
Send résumé and cover letter to jobs @ osiea.org
No phone calls, please.
Only successful candidates will be contacted.
