The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010. Our mission is to embed a culture of consistent evidence use in public policy formulation and implementation, addressing diverse development challenges across Africa. Our work spans five key thematic areas: Population Dynamics and Demographic Dividend, Health and Wellbeing, Transformative Education and Skills Development, Environment and Climate Change, and Governance and Accountability. AFIDEP is registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in Kenya and Malawi, where it maintains offices, and as a 501c3 non-profit organization in the USA. For further details about AFIDEP and its work, please refer to www.afidep.org.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Location: Malawi Office
AFIDEP is seeking a highly skilled Executive Assistant to act as a strategic partner to the Executive Director. This position is vital for ensuring the seamless, efficient, and well-coordinated operation of the Executive Director’s Office, thereby enabling effective leadership, sound decision-making, and overall institutional performance. The Executive Assistant will be responsible for managing executive priorities, coordinating high-level engagements, supporting governance and senior management processes, and ensuring the timely flow of crucial information throughout the organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategically manage the Executive Director’s complex schedule, correspondence, meetings, and travel arrangements to optimize time and support institutional priorities.
- Serve as the central coordination point for the Executive Director’s Office, ensuring thorough follow-through on all delegated actions and strategic commitments.
- Prepare, meticulously review, and manage highly confidential briefs, reports, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of the Executive Director.
- Coordinate Senior Management Team (SMT) meetings, encompassing agenda setting, essential documentation, accurate minute-taking, and diligent tracking of strategic action points.
- Provide comprehensive governance support to the Board of Directors, including the coordination of meetings, documentation, minutes, and follow-up on critical action items.
- Support the Executive Director’s internal and external engagements by preparing high-quality communications and thorough briefing materials.
- Assist the Resource Mobilization Manager in coordinating various resource mobilization efforts.
- Maintain robust and secure information management systems for all executive and governance records.
- Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and effective stakeholder management.
- Provide limited office and administrative support as needed to ensure seamless executive operations.
Qualifications and Experience
- A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Strategic Management, Project Management, or a related field.
- At least five (5) years of experience supporting senior executives within complex, fast-paced professional environments.
- Demonstrated strong strategic coordination, exceptional writing, reporting, and organizational skills.
- Possession of excellent judgment, superior time management capabilities, strong communication, and efficient travel coordination skills.
- Proven ability to effectively manage competing priorities and proactively anticipate executive needs.
- Experience working effectively in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.
Core Competencies
- Exhibits high integrity, discretion, and consistent professionalism.
- Strategic thinker with meticulous attention to detail.
- Proactive, highly adaptable, and consistently solutions-oriented.
- Possesses strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in this opportunity should submit a motivation letter along with a detailed CV, including contact details for three referees. Please send your application to recruitment@afidep.org by 17 April 2026, ensuring to quote “Executive Assistant” in the email subject line. Only those candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted. AFIDEP operates as an Equal Opportunity Employer and never charges recruitment fees.