We are hiring an Executive Assistant!
About Schooner Africa Fund: Schooner Africa Fund (SAF) is a start-up Impact Investment
Fund. SAF is the Program Related Investment arm of the Schooner Foundation (SF)
– a private family foundation head quartered in the USA.
The SF has been funding projects in
Africa for eighteen years with a focus on human rights, peace & security
and economic opportunity.
The SAF is set up in order to
accelerate growth in high-impact start-up enterprises and small and medium size
enterprises (SMEs) in East Africa through innovative investments and business
based partnerships in the fields of sustainable agriculture, alternative
forestry and related fields.
The fund considers investments in
what is commonly referred to as the “Missing Middle” – with a range of $100,000
to $500,000.
The pictures give you an idea of the
type of businesses we work with!
About the role: As 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.
Responsibilities will include:
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
·
Preparing: Editing correspondence,
reports and presentations.
Financial management
·
Liaising 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
Who you are
·
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.
Want to apply?
·
First, read this guide on how to
submit your application and tips on our selection process: http://bit.ly/CandidatesGuide
·
Fill out the application form under http://bit.ly/JoinSchoonerEA
·
Send your CV in PDF format to careers@edgeperformance.co.ke with the subject line “Schooner –
Executive Assistant”
More
information about us at www.schoonercapital.com/schooner-foundation/
Selection process in collaboration
with edgeperformance