Responsible for overseeing administrative operations, managing support services, coordinating resources, implementing policies, supervising teams, and supporting efficient hospital operations. Requires a relevant degree in business administration, health administration, management, or a related field. The position is based in Nairobi and requires on-site work.
Position Summary
The Chief Administrative Officer, East Africa will provide
leadership for AKU’s administrative operations for all AKU campuses in East
Africa. The role includes providing leadership and direction to Project
Management, Facilities Management, Security, Purchasing & Supply Chain Management
and Administration, in line with the University’s vision and mission.
Reporting to the President,
the incumbent will be based in Kenya, and will be responsible for developing
strategic plans for AKU Facilities and Administrative Services in East Africa;
whilst collaborating and building long-term relationships with key internal and
external stakeholders. He/she will prioritize and advocate initiatives and lead
the implementation of systems and processes that support the development of
university divisions in alignment with AKU objectives.
The ideal candidate will
bring experience of leading administrative services at a national and regional
level. He/she will be highly strategic, entrepreneurial and creative, with
exemplary knowledge of relevant best practices in managing strategic projects,
people and procurement. They should demonstrate a flair for engaging with and
managing individuals with diverse expertise to build a high performing team
culture.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic
Leadership
- Providing
administrative leadership and direction across East Africa sites whilst
ensuring that operational, professional, and technical activities are
performed consistently in line with the AKU’s vision, division’s mission,
its goals, and objectives
- Planning
and defining execution strategies for strategic projects; including
budgets, schedules, quality standards and contracts
- Providing
leadership and guidance in portfolio functions for prioritizing,
advocating initiatives, implementing systems and processes that support
the division’s philosophy
Risk Management
- Evaluating
risks and business trade-offs to make changes to ensure optimal business
solutions and results while taking decisions in compliance with the
quality standards, policies, and goals
Supply Chain Management
- Develop
and implement a supply chain strategy aligned with organizational
priorities, budgets and business needs.
Arusha
Campus
- Provide
strategic leadership and governance to ensure Arusha site operates within
approved policies, frameworks and budget.
- Oversee
financial, property and land management, including tenants, security
leases, assets and development.
- Ensure
long-term site strategy, sustainability and asset value in alignment with
regional priorities.
Stakeholder
management
- Building
strategic relationships with key stakeholders regionally and locally and
partnering with AKDN leadership to ensure effective cross-functional
partnership and collaboration
Security
- Support
the Office of the President to oversee regional leadership and oversight
of security, ensuring appropriate strategies, standards, risk controls and
resources are in place to safeguard people, assets and operations across
East Africa.
Environmental
Health and Safety
- Oversight
of guidelines and procedures for campus environmental health and safety
programmes in line with global best practices and local laws
Performance
Management
- Developing
performance measurement tools and metrics for the evaluation of employees,
for the purpose of establishing specified expectations, professional
development plans and communication protocols that foster a coordinated,
detail-oriented, highly visible and strong team.
Qualifications
- A
degree in Commerce or Engineering or related field from a recognized
University. A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from a reputable
institution will be an added advantage
- 15+
years of professional experience, with 5-10 years specifically leading a
strategic operational function including procurement, facilities
management or administrative services division in a large,
multicultural organization preferably in the not-for-profit sector.
- Strong
entrepreneurial background and a business leader with a proven track
record of achieving results, by developing and managing highly trained
technical staff
- Demonstrated
effectiveness in strategic planning on both micro and macro level
projects
- A
proven track record of evaluating organizational structures, workflows and
systems to optimize performance
- Demonstrated
success in leading transformational cost rationalization and energy cost
reduction
- Knowledge
and experience of developing outsourcing strategies; deploying integrated
vendor management
- Experience
in transforming, consolidating, and streamlining complex organizations and
processes
- A
commitment to diversity and serving the needs of a diverse community
- The
ability to work with cross disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
- Financially
astute and quantitatively capable
- Excellent
communication and interpersonal skills
- Drive
to advocate and commit to on-going training and development to foster a
learning culture within the department
- A
passion and professional affinity with an organization committed to an
enterprise-wide sustainability ethic.
