Background
Established in 1988, African Economic Research Consortium is a premier capacity building institution in the advancement of research and training to inform economic policies in sub-Saharan Africa. AERC’s mission rests on two premises: first, that development is more likely to occur where there is sustained sound management of the economy; second, that such management is more likely to happen where there is an active, well-informed cohort of locally based professional economists to conduct policy-relevant research. AERC builds this cohort through a programme that has three primary components: research, training, and policy outreach. The organization integrates high quality economic policy research, postgraduate training, and policy outreach within a vast network of researchers, universities, and policy makers across Africa and beyond.
Overall, Job Purpose
The Programme Assistant, Research – Temporary position will be responsible for providing administrative and programmatic support services to the Research program. The incumbent will ensure efficiency, effectiveness and high-performance standards are achieved and maintained. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Providing a focal point of contact and continuous liaison with researchers, project coordinators, reviewers and network members for effective coordination of research.
- Handling/receiving official calls and enquiries on Research programme activities.
- Providing support in preparation of reports, letters and contracts/grant letters for researchers, resource persons and members of the Programme Committee, and consultants for the department.
- Maintaining and updating a database for the contacts of persons and institutions within the network of the Research Programme while coordinating the research processes.
- Providing administrative/logistical support in the preparation and coordination of various meetings including but not limited to; technical and review workshops, policy dialogues/forums and social functions in the research department including and day to day liaison with the hotel representatives; preparation of workshop papers, documentation, and travel.
- Handling finances for the meetings stated above when required.
- Record Keeping.
- Sitting in various evaluation committees.
- Undertake any other duties as may be director by the Research Director, Manager and Programme Administrator from time to time.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration/Management/Public relations.
- Having a master’s degree in these subjects is an added advantage as is proficiency in French.
- At least 3 years of working experience in programme administration.
- Demonstrative experience in programme/project administration, monitoring and evaluation.
- Computer literacy including standard office applications such as MS Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
- Demonstrated experience in working with databases and management systems software.
Key Skills and Competencies
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines with attention to details
- Strong integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality
- Strong administrative and organizational skills.
- Fluency in written and oral English is essential.
- Excellent inter-personal and influencing skills at all levels.
- Excellent analytical and communication skills.
- Ability to work with computerised accounting systems
- Familiarity with information management systems
- Good team player
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work French is desirable.
- Prior relevant experience of working with or within international organisations, institutional donor agencies, Trusts and Foundations would be an advantage.
AERC offers competitive remuneration and a benefits package.
Duration of assignment is 3 months.
Application
All applications must include a cover letter and a resume (max 3 page) which has at least three referees addressed to the Manager, Human Resource & Administration; email: [email protected] by 12th July 2024.
All information will be treated with utmost confidence. Due to the expected volume of applications, AERC will only enter further correspondence with short-listed candidates.