Business Support Assistant II (Capacity Building Assistant)

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) is a pan-African Centre of excellence in research for development and capacity building in insect science and its applications. The Centre’s mission is to help alleviate poverty, ensure food and nutritional security, and improve the overall health status of people of the tropics. icipe achieves this goal by developing and extending management tools and strategies for harmful and useful arthropods while preserving the natural resource base. Since its establishment in 1970, icipe has become a significant contributor to science and innovation required to meet the health and food security challenges of sub-Saharan Africa. The Centre has achieved this status by developing alternative and environmentally friendly pest and vector management technologies and products that are effective, selective, non-polluting, non-resistance inducing, and affordable to resourcelimited rural and urban communities. icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and has operations in more than 40 African countries as well as thriving partnerships with universities and research organisations across the world. Employing over 500 international and national staff, icipe also has approximately 150 graduate students who contribute to the Centre’s research portfolio annually. For additional information, visit: www.icipe.org )

Please also download icipe’s Vision and Strategy 2021–2025

icipe seeks to recruit a Business Support Assistant II (Capacity Building Assistant) in the Capacity Building & Institutional Development (CBID) Platform. The position is tenable at the icipe Duduville campus, Nairobi, Kenya. This is a two-year contract, renewable subject to continued position needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member. This is a nationally recruited position. A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Overall, Purpose of the Job

The staff will work with other members of staff in the Capacity Building team to provide support within the Unit.

Specific Duties

• Guide scholars on relocation options based on specific International Partner Institutions (IPI) country needs.
• Provide scholars with required supporting documents to facilitate relocation to IPIs.
• Draft and share placement letters detailing scholar-specific support to IPIs.
• Support the Capacity Building Officer – doctoral scholarships to provide scholars with required documents to meet stringent sandwich program entry requirements for USA and European-based IPIs.
• Collaborate with the Capacity Building Officer – Mentorship, to support onboarding of new cohorts, compile and organize required documents for shared drive access by Capacity Building and finance teams.
• Support Capacity Building Officer -Doctoral Scholarships in organizing sandwich placement meetings between IPIs and AHUs, managing participants’ schedules, and sending virtual invitations.
• Document matching and placement meetings and flag action points for specific team members.
• Follow up with scholars on preparedness for matching meetings to ensure their acceptance into IPIs.
• Maintain up-to-date quarterly reporting tracker for scholars on shared drive to inform program reports.
• Continuously update the master tracker for Capacity Building and Finance teams’ use.
• Perform any other tasks as may be required.

Requirements/Qualifications

• A Diploma in Business Administration, Project Management, Public Relations, or related fields
• Experience in coordination, project management and reporting, basic financial management and budget monitoring.
• At least 1 year of progressive work experience in research and project work at national and international levels.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in coordinating scholarship or training programs, project management and reporting, basic financial management, and budget monitoring.

Other Desirable Attributes

• At least 1 year of work experience in the design and/or implementation of training programs or mentorship platforms.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and pays great attention to detail.
• Action-oriented and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage a complex and varied workload and work under pressure.
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary groups.
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to adapt to changing circumstances while working with a variety of personalities and priorities and multi-disciplinary groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.

Reporting

This position reports to the Head of Capacity Building & Institutional Development (CBID) Platform.