Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Vacancies

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non denominational development agency promoting creative and effective solutions to selected problems that impede social development in developing countries. AKF East Africa invites applications for the following key positions currently based at its Regional Office in Nairobi.

1. Regional Programme Officer (Education)

The Regional Programme Officer (Education) is a senior member of AKF(EA)’s programme team. S/he is responsible for quality and effective implementation of the Foundation’s education programmes in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (including Zanzibar).

Key responsibilities include programme and strategy development, technical oversight and quality control of programmes, substantive engagement in national and regional education policy forums, consolidating and disseminating core learning to multiple stakeholders, resource mobilisation, government relations, grant management and supervision of programme staff.

S/he reports to the Regional Programme Manager and will collaborate closely with co-Programme Officers in education and other thematic areas.

Qualifications required


The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with practical management experience, superior technical skills and possess:
* A Master’s degree in education;
* 8-10 years experience in the education sector in East Africa;
* Proven experience in whole school improvement approaches and innovative techniques to overcome challenges in strengthening quality, access and relevance in the public education system in East Africa;
* Proven experience in early childhood development and effective approaches to facilitating transition to primary school and beyond to secondary school;
* Knowledge of the government education systems in Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar) and Uganda including proven familiarity and engagement with sector strategies and major working groups;
* Proven experience in resource mobilisation in the education sector, including knowledge of and engagement with key donor priorities, approaches and systems;
* Significant experience working with, managing and strengthening grantees and programme performance monitoring and reporting;
* Proven skills in strong proposal development, report writing and monitoring and evaluation;
* Proven initiative and attention to detail;
* Ability to efficiently co-ordinate and manage multiple demands, excel in multitasking, yet remain focused and detail oriented;
* Ability to work independently to strict deadlines;
* Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English, fluency in Kiswahili is desirable;
* Excellent inter-personal skills to engage productively within and outside AKF in a cross-cultural, inter-disciplinary environment; and
* Excellent computer skills and proficient with Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

2. Executive Assistant to the Regional Chief Executive Officer

Reporting to the Regional Chief Executive Officer (RCEO) of AKF East Africa, the Executive Assistant will be based at the East Africa Regional office in Nairobi and shall provide critical planning, administrative and coordination support to the RCEO and other senior management staff.

S/he will manage and prioritise tasks, schedule events/conferences, and coordinate local, regional and international travel for the RCEO and partners / VIPs; coordinate logistics; perform technical, specialised and complex office administrative work requiring the use of independent judgment; effectively undertake special assignments and tasks assigned by RCEO; support specific human resource matters and correspondence with relevant AKDN/Government authorities; interpret and implement policies and procedures; organise committee meetings, workshops, seminars and related materials. S/he should be able to multitask and work independently to strict deadlines; use initiative and judgment within established policies and procedures; maintain confidentiality and high integrity; and have strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications required
* A university degree preferably in a related management or programme discipline;
* Must have a minimum of 5 years experience in administration and executive office management. Project and task management experience will be considered an added advantage ;
* Excellent oral and written communication skills in English – fluency in Kiswahili will be added advantage ;
* Excellent organisational and planning skills, with demonstrated ability in organising and prioritising tasks and action plans, conferences/events, preparing PowerPoint presentations and meeting / travel schedules and taking minutes of meetings;
* Good inter-personal skills to engage productively within and outside the office and with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and external stakeholders in a cross-cultural, inter-disciplinary environment;
* Ability to work under pressure with multiple tasks, demands and deadlines with a positive and constructive attitude under minimal supervision; and
* Computer proficiency in Word processing, data base and spreadsheet applications, MS Office, PowerPoint, Microsoft outlook and internet usage.

Interested applicants are requested to submit CV including names and email contacts of three referees and, cover letter explaining why you are best suited for the position by Friday 14th May, 2010 to the Regional Human Resources Manager, Aga Khan Foundation, East Africa, by e-mail to: akf.east-africa@akdn.org or mail to
The Aga Khan Foundation, Kenya,
P.O. Box 40898, 00100,
Nairobi.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org)