Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer at Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI)

NMI is looking for a Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI) to provide general support to the CEO but also work on key aspects of activities including budget preparation and monitoring, Board meetings, customer relations, review of different operational, policy and strategic issues.
The incumbent’s work will include but not, limited to the following:

Job Title: Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of NMI

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares the annual budget for NMI using the work plan and program prepared by the team.
• Keeps the budget files/records and ensure that there are kept up-to-date.
• Prepares expenditure monitoring reports and ensures that they are carried out in compliance with the Board guidelines and directives as well as NMI’s rules and procedures or, as the case might be, those of any institution providing funding to NMI.
• Conducts regular review of the budget implementation status, anticipate or identify issues and problems, and propose options for solving them.
• Ensures coordination with those responsible for expenditures and liaise as needed with them and AUST.
• Prepare Bank reconciliation statements for NMI’s accounts.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor, including travel as required.
• Do a preliminary review of the legal documents resulting from NMI’s work for the CEO, most specifically the BOT program and make recommendations as needed.
• Reviews policy and operational papers prior to Board consideration, including consultation with originators or senior management as necessary to revise content or adjust to meet management’s and the Board’s expectations for discussion of relevant issues and clear recommendations, as well as for compliance with statutory, operational, disclosure, or other, policy requirements and management/Board procedures.
• Helps prepare, organize and manage Board meetings to ensure high and consistent standards of meeting conduct and outcomes.
• Helps NMI develop new business
• Prepares reports on the implementation of Board decisions.
• As needed, draft concise substantive notes for the Chairman and Secretary on Board items and issues that arise in the course of managing the Board business process, including Secretariat products such as agendas, chairman’s briefings and notes, summaries.
• Changes can be made to this job description and the circumstances warrant.

Selection Criteria/Qualifications/Experience

• Masters degree or equivalent degree in a relevant development discipline (e.g., economics, public administration, political science, public policy, etc.). A law degree in addition to above would be a major plus. -
• A minimum of 4-5 years of relevant experience in finance, banking, law, the private, public or parastatal sector.
• Ability to provide support to senior management effectively and timely by prioritizing interventions, identifying policy issues and trade-offs, and formulating and applying a comprehensive problem-solving approach at various technical levels.
• Sound understanding of business issues and experience with corporate environment; capacity to work simultaneously and effectively on a variety of tasks.
• Excellent writing, oral and presentation skills. Superior organizational and logistical skills.
• Strong conceptual skills and ability to look ahead and think scenarios through.
• Ability to influence across organizational boundaries and communicate persuasively.
• Ability to represent NMI and present its views articulately both inside and outside.
• Skills in database management, Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong diplomatic and people skills.
• Commitment to teamwork and knowledge-sharing within a multicultural environment.
• High level of integrity and track record in handling confidential matters.
• A background in Corporate Governance is desirable.

Duration of Contract: Three years renewable. The first will be a probation year at the successful completion of which the contract would be renewed and extended for at least two more years.
Application Closing Date 31st December, 2013
Method of Application All applications must be sent to the Human Resources Office of the Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI) at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) campus in Galadimawa -Abuja or by e-mail to: hr@aust.edu.ng
Please be informed that application(s) received after the expiration of this notice will not be processed.
Note: A potential candidate has been identified and intends to apply for this position. However, this remains a competitive process and interested candidates are encouraged to appy