Executive Assistant to the CEO at Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA)

Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) is a leading financial sector development organisation working to promote financial inclusion in Nigeria. Established in late 2007, EFInA’s vision is to be the leader in facilitating an all-inclusive and growth-promoting financial system. EFInA is funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

EFInA is well renowned within Nigeria’s financial sector for providing thought leadership in financial inclusion and championing the unbanked. Through funding and catalysing innovation, providing cutting-edge research, advocating for enabling inclusive policies and building capacity, EFInA has built a reputation as an “honest broker” amongst both the private and public sectors. Data from the EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria surveys was a key source of information in the development of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy; and is also widely used by a diverse range of stakeholders, including regulators, as a benchmark for financial inclusion in Nigeria, Furthermore, financial services providers use EFInA’s research to develop a range of relevant financial products through gaining insights and understanding of consumers’ needs.

EFInA is seeking to appoint dynamic, strategic, and committed individuals to newly defined roles to build on its current achievements and accelerate the impact of financial inclusion in Nigeria. EFInA is a rapidly growing organisation with considerable influence in the financial sector. Employment with EFInA offers an exceptional and challenging opportunity for the right candidate.

Job Title: Executive Assistant to the CEO

Location: Lagos

The Role
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EFInA wishes to recruit an Executive Assistant to provide strategic, administrative, logistical and operational support to the Office of the CEO. The CEO’s Executive Assistant will act as a sounding board for the CEO and will contribute to the development of EFInA’s strategic areas and cross-cutting themes. He/she will be closely involved in EFInA’s strategic planning process and will assist the CEO, as directed, in achieving a wide range of strategic objectives.

The role demands an individual who is resourceful, a fast learner and a creative strategic thinker. He/she will need to be highly adaptable, comfortable in a dynamic and fluid working environment and prepared to assume responsibility for a wide range of tasks, whether foreseen or otherwise.

This role presents a challenging opportunity for an experienced executive assistant who is passionate about the contribution that EFInA is making to driving economic growth and reducing poverty in Nigeria. It may also appeal to a high flier who has the capability to support the Office of the CEO.

Primary Relationships
Reports to: The Chief Executive Officer
Department: The Office of the CEO

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities
The CEO’s Executive Assistant will make an important contribution to achieving EFInA’s strategic objectives. The role will include, but not be limited to the following responsibilities and accountabilities:

Engagement with High-level External Stakeholders

• Assist the CEO as directed in managing relationships with key stakeholders such as financial services providers, industry associations, regulators (especially the CBN, SEC, PenCom, NAICOM, NDIC), Ministry of Finance and other relevant organisations
• Engage with potential stakeholders on behalf of the CEO to establish contact and request meetings
• Shadow the CEO as directed at meetings, including with key partners (e.g. DFID, Bill & Melina Gates Foundation), taking and finalising minutes to submit to the CEO within an agreed timeframe
• Support the CEO on a range of committees and working groups, including preparing and circulating meeting agendas, taking records of meetings and preparing minutes of meetings for the CEO’s sign off

Support to the CEO

• Prepare the CEO for internal and external appointments, meetings and events by undertaking research, preparing PowerPoint presentations, collating and preparing information, and anticipating and planning for meetings in advance
• On a quarterly basis, prepare the first draft of the market review section of EFInA’s quarterly report, for the CEO’s review
• Respond to requests for meetings with the CEO including non-scheduled and non-recurrent staff requests and also any enquiries (telephone and email) from external stakeholders
• Deal with a wide range of queries from internal and external sources at all levels, screen incoming calls for the CEO, and prepare draft responses to queries received, for approval by the CEO
• Effectively and accurately manage the CEO’s official calendar, including scheduling appointments/meetings, co-ordinating meetings and preparing the CEO by preparing detailed daily itineraries in advance. This function requires forward thinking, anticipating conflict and resolving issues, communicating changes and remaining abreast of all organisational events, meetings and visits from external parties in order to schedule time with the CEO where appropriate
• Manage all travel arrangements (within Nigeria and abroad) for the CEO, including accommodation reservations, appointments, cash advance, transportation and travel itineraries
• Prepare and process reimbursement expenses for the CEO

Engagement with High-level Organisational Stakeholders

• Proof-read confidential reports from senior management and external stakeholders and provide comments to the CEO
• Prepare packs and all documentation required for Board Meetings
• Maintain and regularly update the CEO’s contact database

Engagement with Senior Staff

• Collate weekly reports on the achieved outputs and monthly work plans for all staff reporting to the CEO
• Plan and manage logistics for departmental meetings

Administration and Operations Support

• Ensure and supervise the continuous improvement of operational processes and procedures that will enable efficient administration of the Office of the CEO
• Review national newspapers provided by EFInA and compile relevant articles to include in EFInA’s quarterly reports
• Manage EFInA’s general email effectively and efficiently by assigning queries to relevant staff and ensuring that all queries are addressed within 48 hours. Ensure that the Office Manager logs all queries
• Perform any other professional tasks as assigned by the CEO

Job Competencies and Capabilities
Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Master's degree in Law, English, Social Sciences, Economics, Finance, Marketing or such related field from a reputable institution
• Demonstrable experience of working as an Executive Assistant at Executive Board level, supporting a senior Director, Chief Executive Officer or Executive Chairman. A minimum of five years of experience, or other demonstrated capacity to deliver at this level
• Experience developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures
• Some experience in strategic planning
• Experience taking minutes at high level meetings
• Prior experience working in a structured corporate environment
• Knowledge of Financial Inclusion
• Professional project management certification
• Legal or para-legal experience

Skills

• Multi-tasks and meet deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and negotiation skills
• Highly numerate and analytical
• Ability to evaluate and synthesise large amounts of information
• Works well independently and as part of a team
• Proven ability to produce concise and well-structured reports
• Very high attention to detail and accuracy
• Very strong spoken and written communication skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective influencing and relationship building skills at senior levels
• Advanced level competency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project
• Fluency in other languages desirable

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the financial inclusion agenda
• Highly organised and efficient, able to prioritise work with minimal direction and negotiate multiple competing priorities with a high level of professionalism
• Discreet and respects confidentiality
• Integrity and high personal ethical standards
• Committed to delivering high quality results, with cost-effective use of resources
• Works well under pressure and meets deadlines
• Innovative
• Enterprising attitude; quick to search out alternative solutions to challenges and requirements
• High levels of initiative
• Positive, flexible, supportive attitude to work, particularly during busy periods when flexibility in working hours may be required
• Exhibits a helpful behaviour beyond strict job requirements
• Personable attitude that energises and inspires colleagues
• Can-do approach
• Confident and well groomed
• Resilient

Remuneration: Competitive

Application Closing Date
31st May, 2014

Method of Application
To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to: efina@creativemetier.com by 31st May 2014, ensuring that you state which role you are applying for and where you saw this advertisement.

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