Helen Keller International

Job Announcement

Executive Assistant, Yaoundé

Helen Keller International is an international non‐governmental organization whose mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. We do this by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health, and nutrition. Established in 1915, HKI maintains its Headquarters in New York City, with Regional Offices in Senegal and Phnom Penh to support 22 country offices in Africa and Asia. 

Since the 1990s, HKI‐Cameroon has been working to establish sustainable evidence‐based approaches to enhance health and nutrition, improve education for the disabled, and expand access to eye health services for Cameroonians, particularly women and school-aged children. Helen Keller International-Cameroon’s programs are integrated at all levels of the government health and education structures by helping to develop its human resources and infrastructure, conduct needs assessments, analyze local context to inform program design and implementation, train personnel, provide basic equipment and medicines, deliver services if needed, and monitor program progress and evaluate program impact.

We are currently seeking an Executive Assistant with relevant experience in administrative management. The Executive Assistant is responsible for managing the Director's diary, handling correspondence, and assisting in the management of certain office administrative tasks.

Title of position: Executive Assistant    

Duty station: Yaoundé

Reports to: Country Director

Type of contract: Fixed-term contract

Duration: One-year renewable

Deadline to apply: 26^th September 2021

Dimension of role

The Executive Assistant's objective is to support the Country Director in the performance of his duties by managing his agenda and providing support in the completion of certain administrative tasks of the office. He/she is the main interface between the Country Director and his/her main interlocutors, and between the office and the users.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the Country Director's calendar; prioritise enquiries and requests.
• Perform a wide variety of administrative tasks that enable the Country Director to run the organisation effectively, including: attending meetings; designing and producing documents, reports and presentations; collecting and preparing information for meetings with staff and external parties; drafting and preparing correspondence; maintaining contact lists necessary for the smooth running of the office; organising missions.
• Organise meetings and workshops chaired or attended by the Country Director, inform participants of the date and time and provide background information on the subject as required.
• Draft correspondence, documents and reports, some of which are highly confidential; check outgoing correspondence for accuracy, compliance with general policy or specific instructions before presenting it to the Country Director for signature.
• Coordinate all management meetings and provide logistical support to staff meetings and retreats, including scheduling meetings, drafting agendas, developing, compiling and distributing presentation materials and taking minutes of meetings.
• Act as the main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on all matters relating to the Country Director, including those of a highly confidential or critical nature; establish priorities and determine the appropriate course of action, referral or response.
• Work closely with the Country Director to keep him/her well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• Receive, screen, log and route correspondence, including necessary background information, as appropriate; use a tracking system to ensure timely response.
• Translate/interpret as necessary.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications :

• Degree in executive secretariat, in Administration or other relevant;
• Experience working with non-government/nonprofit organizations is an asset;
• Have at least two (02) years of proven professional experience in steering assistance;
• Capacity to be self-reliant, results oriented, and manage multiple deadlines;
• Experience working in a multicultural environment is an asset;
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team player who is inconspicuous with a strong sense of confidentiality;
• positively and productively impact on operational initiatives;
• Ensure appropriate confidentiality for internal documents;
• Be able to work under stress;
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills both in French and English;
• Demonstrated ability to convey messages through clear and concise writing;
• Ability to travel domestically on short notice.
• People with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply.

Constitution of the application file:

• A letter of motivation addressed to the National Director;
• A resume ;
• Reference persons or structures to contact.

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to no later than 26^th September 2021 at midnight , the deadline

NB : HELEN KELLER INTL

• NE DEMANDE AUCUN FRAIS PENDANT TOUT LE PROCESSUS DE RECRUTEMENT (DEMANDE D’EMBAUCHE, TEST, ENTRETIENS, TRAITEMENT DES DOSSIERS OU FORMATIONS)
• NE DEMANDE PAS DES INFORMATIONS SUR LES COMPTES BANCAIRES DES CANDIDATS
• NE RECRUTE PAS A TRAVERS UNE AGENCE DE RECRUTEMENT

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above or call: +237 697102 777