Bi-lingual Secretary and Translator at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries.

Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Bi-lingual Secretary and Translator

Location: Abuja
Duration: One (1) year
Report to: The Executive Director

Background

• Africa (HCD+) is a platform funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and will have the capability to serve as an African voice for advocacy, accountability and transparency on HCD.
• It will seek to accelerate political commitments, decision-making and funding for key priorities towards realising SDGs #1-6 in Sub-Saharan Africa. It aims to incubate regional advocacy and technical assistance hub on Human Capital Development towards increasing African Government's commitment, funding, and accountability to HCD.
• The platform, through increased HCD advocacy, focuses on three pillars: (i) Health and Nutrition; (ii) Education, skills and labour participation; (iii) Entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and digital economy.
• Also, HCD sits across multiple Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in many African governments.
• Hence, no organisation holds an integrated vision for HCD. An HCD-focused institution can further help the HCD agenda on the continent.
• It will focus on four missions: (i) Create transparency on the HCD performance across the continent; (ii) Advocate with heads of state and decision-makers to make HCD a priority; (iii) Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with stakeholders and decision-makers; (iv) Selectively drive the implementation of flagship programs in education, health and economic inclusion.

Position Objectives

• The Bi-lingual Secretary will be responsible for managing the schedule of the Executive Director in English and French.
• In addition will support in providing administrative, financial, contractual, and management oversight functions for a portfolio of projects. S/he will work directly with project and technical leads to strategically support projects to achieve quality programming and development outcomes. In addition, S/he will be undertake for the following activities.

Responsibilities & Duties

• S/he will manage the Executive Director’s schedule: receive and welcome visitors.
• Organize and manage appointments; keep the Executive Director’s timetable; make telephone calls; verify in-coming calls in order to assess their importance and possibility to answer, manage the Executive Director’s diary and schedule.
• Administrative management: organize meetings; receive, draft, type and make follow-up on administrative letters; meeting room bookings; provide supplies to the Director’s office.
• Organizing meetings and managing diaries.
• Management of mails: create a recording system of in-coming and out-going mails; ensure archiving and filing of documents, manage the office supplies for the Director, manage documents (in-coming and out-going, filing of letters); ensure follow-up on documents submitted to the Executive Director for signature.
• Booking transport and accommodation for overseas visits/international visitors (managing travel itineraries).
• Translating documents from English to foreign languages (French) and from French into English; coordinates the platform services per the terms of the Service Level Agreement for the relevant Business Unit or Department.
• Works with designated Technical Lead to ensure that technical activities and deliverables are implemented per the contract scope of work and approved work plan, with high quality.
• Support with the developing proposal and terms of reference as the need arises.
• Assist with managing budget realignments, contract modifications, and subcontract modifications.
• Participates in research, pre-positioning and/or proposal management for opportunities.
• Support in creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation, master budget etcetera.
• Participate and provide support to the teams during strategic planning sessions based on her/his scope of work.
• Reviews and supports the technical lead - STTA deliverables.
• Manage budget realignments, contracts, and subcontract modifications; and
• Travel where necessary, with the Executive Director and Senior Programme Officer.

Qualifications and Person Specification

• Interested candidates should have a First Degree in Social Sciences or a related field.
• 6 - 8 years of working experience in similar positions.
• Good knowledge of project management.
• Good negotiation and interpersonal skills, ability to relate well and build a rapport with a diverse range of people.
• Good understanding of French Language.
• Sense of confidentiality.
• Ability to write concise, analytical, and accurate reports to meet agreed-on timelines.
• Attention to detail, good organizational and planning skills.
• Demonstrated strength and experience in writing technical reports.
• An excellent communicator with brilliant negotiation and analytical skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal, highly motivated and driven with a passion for delivering to the client.
• Build the capacity of the place teams to deliver on programme deliverables, reporting, and financial management.
• Strong computer skill in MS Office Suite is required.

Language:

• Fluency in English Language and French Language is required and
• Experience working in Francophone Countries is required.

Application Closing Date
19th April, 2023.