Executive Assistant – Research for Development at IITA

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. For more information, please visit http://www.iita.org/

IITA is seeking to employ the services of a fully qualified and experienced Zambian national to fill up the following vacancy at its Lusaka Station:

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT – RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT – REF NO: SARAH/EA/08/19

The Executive Assistant will perform a wide range of administrative and executive support under the direct supervision of the Regional Hub Director (Southern Africa).

Major duties and responsibilities:

• Maintains manual and electronic databases of administrative/project and donor records
• Provide administrative/secretarial/logistics support during meetings and workshops
• Facilitates in country and regional donor linkages and interactions
• Provide support for preparation of summaries, information and data for reports to IITA Headquarters, for use in discussion with government and other organizations
• Maintains Directors’ appointment schedule by planning and scheduling meetings, conferences, teleconferences, and travel.
• Responsible for management and organizing of various type of internal/external events such as meetings, workshops, conference dinners and lunches
• Provide project expenditure monitoring support to the Director
• Ensures effective and efficient management of communication and confidential documents
• Perform all other related duties that may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration or similar qualifications; additional qualifications as Personal Assistant or Secretary are a plus
• 3+ years of proven work experience as an Executive Assistant or similar role
• Strong communication skills (via phone, email and in-person)
• Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality with sensitive company information
• Excellent organizational skills with an ability to think proactively and prioritize work
  General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years. Renewal is dependent on performance and availability of funds.

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