Closing date: October 1, 2021
The Administrative Assistant is located in USAID/Kenya and East Africa (KEA), Democracy, Governance, Peace and Security (DGPS) Office. S/he serves as the principal administrative support person for the Office Director and DGPS staff, operating independently of other positions to ensure that administrative, logistical and information technology support functions are performed effectively, efficiently, and in a manner that promotes harmony and problem-solving, so that other DGPS staff remain fully focused on fulfilling their various technical and advisory responsibilities.
The Administrative
Assistant is responsible for providing responsive customer service to internal
and external partners, including Embassy and Mission staff, contractors,
implementing partners (IPs), Government of Kenya (GOK) officials,
USAID/Washington interlocutors, and other stakeholders. In this capacity, the
Administrative Assistant is responsible for managing DGPS information flows,
its business processes, and sponsored events ensuring that submission and
approval deadlines are met so that effective development initiatives ensue, and
planned proceedings occur in a successful and professional manner.
I. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. SECRETARIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLERICAL SUPPORT 60%
● The Administrative
Assistant maintains the supervisor’s calendar, advising of, and preparing her/
him for upcoming commitments. S/he makes appointments, receives and places
phone calls, sends and receives E-mails and Faxes, arranges meetings. These
services facilitate contacts with Mission and Embassy staff, GOK officials,
donors, IIPs, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector.
● Establishes and
maintains close working relationships with the Front Office Administrative
Assistants, Executive Office staff, and administrative counterparts in other
technical and support offices to coordinates activities, share knowledge, and
devise innovative solutions to improve Office and Mission business practices.
● Assists in
procurement actions to support DGPS outreach initiatives with implementing
partners, development partners, the private sector, and GOK officials. This
task includes working with the event sponsor in planning and execution.
Activities include market research and making reservations for use of on- and
off-site venues, inviting guests, preparing welcome packets, site set-up, and
ensuring availability of adequate logistics and information technology assets
throughout the event. Additionally, secures any necessary RSO approvals,
coordinates motor pool support and ensures all event close-out activities are
accomplished in an expeditious and efficient fashion.
● Supports TDYers travel
logistics before they leave their home office and upon arrival to Post. Secures
Front Office approval for official travel and shares eCC POC, RSO link/form,
coordinates accommodations, airport transfers and compound access.
Additionally, coordinates staff travel logistics both in-county and abroad with
Travel Authorization (TA) preparation/approvals in E2, visa(s), motor pool, eCC
clearance, tickets, and RSO travel notification. Upon travel completion assists
the traveler in submitting travel voucher and settle travel claims.
● Works as the
timekeeper to the team responsible for keeping track of staff time and
attendance, annual leave, sick-days, compensatory/travel time and overtime.
Inputs data into WebTA and prepares timecards for the certifying official in a
timely fashion, ensuring all entries are timely and accurate. Tracks leave
calendars and office coverage and keeps the Front Office apprised of the
absence of the Office Director and Deputy. Drafts and coordinates requisite
Mission notices with EXO.
● Ensures all DGPS
Office equipment and peripheries are well-maintained an in good working order.
Requests maintenance and/or replacements as necessary. Also, ensures that the
DGPS staff is well-supplied with expendable office materials, and requests resupply
as needed.
● Arranges weekly
staff meetings and serves a recorder/notetaker for this, and other, regular and
ad hoc meetings as required. Maintains record all meeting minutes.
● The Administrative
Assistant may be called upon to backstop the Executive Assistant in the Mission
Director’s Office as needed.
2. MAIL, CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORT PROCESSING 20%
● The Administrative
Assistant maintains control of all correspondence for the DGPS Office,
including program/project/activity files provided by CORs/AORs. Receives and
distributes official mail and correspondence. S/he drafts non-technical
responses to routine correspondence and letters in English and, as necessary,
in Kiswahili, for the supervisor’s review and signature.
● The incumbent
manages the DGPS training plan, schedule of annual performance evaluations, and
calendar of other cyclical and periodic reports (e.g., Operational Plan,
Performance Plan and Review, Contractor Reporting Performance Assessment
Reporting System (CPARS), etc.)
● S/he maintains and
updates Office Handbooks and other documents, such as visitors’ lists, welcome
packets, contact lists, telephone listings, personnel rosters, leave calendars,
etc., as necessary.
● S/he reviews
outgoing mail for the correct format, address, routing, attachments, etc.,
prior to dispatch. S/he distributes internal policies and procedures and, as
necessary, maintains a record of when staff received notice of new policies
and/or procedures.
3. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT 20%
● The Administrative
Assistant manages DGPS’s official documents and files related to development
programs, personnel and administrative issues, along with other logistical and
support matters. The incumbent maintains an electronic system to track Office
actions, provides weekly reports to the supervisor, and advises staff of any
upcoming reports.
● S/he uses PC-based
word processing, spreadsheets, and charting software as the fundamental part of
his/her document management responsibilities.
● The incumbent
establishes and maintains files according to standards set by the Mission’s
Communications and Records Office and by USAID/Washington; marks correspondence
and other documents for filing, and files them accordingly.
● Reviews all
correspondence in advance of the supervisor’s signature, corrects errors by
drafters and edits correspondence, and assures that documents meet the
requirements posed by incoming correspondence to which it pertains.
II. POSITION ELEMENTS
- Supervision
Received: The Administrative Assistant receives supervision
from the Office Director, and/or his/her designee, who provides
assignments and priority work tasks to be performed. Most work derives
from normal Office operations, but special activities may be assigned at
any time. S/he independently plans and carries out assignments and is
responsible for the accuracy of her/his personal work. Work is normally
reviewed in terms of results achieved and in meeting Office objectives.
- Supervision
Exercised: Full supervision of other USAID staff is not
contemplated.
- Available
Guidelines: In addition to oral and written instructions from
the supervisor, guidelines include Agency Notices and policies, USAID
Mission Orders, USG Regulations, and other guidance and directives from
the Automated Directives System (ADS) (specifically ADS Series 500
chapters and ADS 109, Ethics and Standards of Conduct) USAID Fact Sheets,
E-mails, and other sources.
- Exercise
of Judgment: The Administrative Assistant must use sound judgment
in addressing tasks and responsibilities, and in setting work-related
priorities. This is particularly important in dealing with working-level
contacts within the Embassy, and with contractors, IPs, other donors, and
GOK officials.
- Authority
to Make Commitments: S/he is not authorized to commit the USG to the
expenditure of funds. However, the Administrative Assistant is regularly
called upon to maintain calendars and/or schedule meetings on behalf of
the supervisor and staff.
- Nature,
Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts will be maintained
in-person, by phone, or by written or electronic communication with Office
and Mission staff, and with relevant Embassy and GOK officials,
private-sector representatives, and staffs of other donor institutions. The
nature of these contacts will be principally administrative.
- Time
Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: Twelve
months.
III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
Any
application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not
be evaluated. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. If you have not
been contacted within one month from the closing date of this advertisement,
please consider your application unsuccessful.
REQUIRED
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: At
least two or more years of post-secondary education in Business
Administration, Communications, English, Secretarial Studies or related
field, equivalent to a U.S. junior college or community college diploma,
is required.
- Prior Work
Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively
responsible work experience in a professional setting, which includes one
year of employment at an international or development-related organization
or office is required.
- Post Entry
Training: The incumbent will be provided familiarization
training on USAID operations, and on specific regulations and procedures
such as: travel, correspondence management, information systems,
myServices, GLAAS, etc. Mandatory trainings will include the Introduction
to Program Cycle (IPC) and Records Management. Additional training
in-country may be provided from time to time, depending on work demands,
course offerings, availability, and funds. **
- Language
Proficiency: Fluency (Level IV, speaking, reading and writing
ability) in English and Kiswahili is required. **
- Job
Knowledge: The Administrative Assistant must possess
advanced knowledge of standard office procedures and practices. S/he must
have sound knowledge of, and adherence to, acceptable work protocols common
in an international work setting (e.g., respectful dialogue,
non-discrimination, equal opportunity, internal controls, etc.). **
- Skills And
Abilities: The incumbent must have excellent communication
and interpersonal skills, adept organizational and time management skills
and be highly proficient in keyboarding and in operating computers with
standard software. These include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Outlook, and other software programs as designated. S/he must be
conversant with virtual work platforms (such as: Google Meet, Microsoft
Teams, WebEx, etc.) and utilizing collaborate workspaces (such as:
Google.doc, Huddle, etc.). Must possess advanced ability using the
Internet and Google Workspaces (especially mail, calendar, contacts,
hangouts, etc.)
How
to Apply
Step 1: Register in HERE
Step 2: Qualified Current USG Employees:
Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages),
a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all
relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload to MyJobsInKenya.
OR
External Applicants/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated
curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies
of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and
upload to REGISTERED PAGE
Note to Applicants:
- Applications must be received by the closing date
and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through
myjobsinkenya.com as stated in Section IV.
- Submissions will only be accepted through www.myjobsinkenya.com/usaid.
Late and Incomplete applications (those that do not contain the
applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education
certificates) will not be considered for the position. The closing date
for receipt of applications is indicated above.
- USAID provides equal opportunity and equitable
treatment for employment of all people without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation,
marital status or sexual orientation.
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
- USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT
ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING,
PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON
APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.