ICRISAT is a non-profit, apolitical, international organization for science-based agricultural development. Established in 1972, it is one of the 15 Centers of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and is supported by more 48 governments, foundations, and development banks. ICRISAT with its Headquarters located in India has regional centers and research teams in Asia and Sub- Saharan Africa. In the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), ICRISAT has country programs in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. For further details please visit our website www.icrisat.org. ICRISAT regional office for Eastern and Southern Africa is located in Nairobi, Kenya and is currently seeking a qualified candidate to fill the locally recruited position of Country Administrator.
The Position:
The Country Administrator will be responsible for providing administrative support to the ESA Regional Office.
- Provide leadership and oversee the performance of the Administrative function to ensure conformity with planned budgetary standards and delivery of the required services to the Projects/Programs as a whole.
- Develop, co-create, activate and disseminate Administrative solutions, policies, systems and best practices to meet organizational needs. Ensure effective implementation using communication mechanisms such as policy roll outs and policy campaigns.
- Review & recommend policies on administrative matters (Housing, Travel, transport, Security, communications, Purchase and Stores).
- Visit and carry out audits of the various sites in the location to ensure compliance with policy and procedures and for operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant internal and external regulations relating to administrative issues of the institute in general and to the location in particular.
- Serve as the main liaison person between the Institute and the Contractors and Vendors for the installation and maintenance of the centralized services.
- Liaise with Government of Kenya where necessary to facilitate delivery of services to the programs.
- Develop and implement appropriate strategies around the Administrative structure and staff development that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the Institute.
- Provide oversight in the establishment of individual performance expectations for direct reports and regularly evaluate their performance against organizational objectives.
- Monitor and evaluate the process of procurement in liaison with the finance section to ensure expenditure control.
- Promote employee engagement and involvement through the use of daily team briefings and monthly Team Talk forums.
- Administration of Human Resources issues for Internationally Recruited Staff such as benefits, leave, and travel.
- Manage Human Resource matters including performance management, leave management, recruitment, training etc and act as a liaison between ICRISAT Nationally Recruited Staff and HR section of ICRAF.
- Oversee the following areas of administrative services; travel and ticketing, transport management, contracts and leases administration, events management, expatriate services, inventory and assets management.
Requirements
- A Bachelors Degree in Business, Management, Finance or Human Resources Management.
- Knowledge of computer applications.
- Service orientation, customer focus and cost-consciousness.
- Ability to manage people of different levels.
- At least 5 years experience in administration in multicultural organizations in developing countries.
Terms of Offer
The position is on local support staff terms open only to Kenyan Citizens. Salary and perquisites paid in local currency are highly competitive. Appointment is on a three (3) year contract subject to a six (6) months probation period, satisfactory performance, continued relevance of the position and adequate funding. ICRAF and ICRISAT offer a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment, believe that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.
Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications/competencies/skills and a detailed curriculum vitae, with names and addresses of three referees (including telephone, fax numbers and email address). All correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya; Tel +254 20 7224000; Fax +254 20 7224001; OR via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Applicants should indicate “Application for Country Administrator – ICRISAT” on their application letters OR email submissions. Applications will be considered until 22nd February 2010.
If you do not hear from us by 31st March 2010, please consider your application unsuccessful.
We invite you to learn more about ICRISAT and ICRAF by accessing our web sites: www.icrisat.org and www.worldagroforestry.org.
