Travel Officer at Sahara Group

Purpose Statement

• To manage and maintain a smooth and efficient Travels and Protocol system and provide satisfactory service solutions for the organizations on travels and immigration related activities.
• This means researching destinations and available services; booking hotels, flights, and car rentals; coordinating activities; and managing documentation. The role ensures that all employee travel is safe and organized according to company policy.

Key Deliverables:

• Ensure all travel bookings are made promptly and accurately within stipulated time
• Ensure travel bookings are kept within budget and are cost effective
• Build strong relationships with internal customers, managing internal customer expectations and parameters
• Facilitate entry/transit visa process & determine best place for submission by working with visa service, embassies and/or field offices.
• Help resolve staff travel issues such as trouble shooting unforeseen delays. Seek opportunities and offer suggestions to improve travel process; coordinate visa and travel procedures as needed by staff
• Facilitate entry/transit visa process & determine best place for submission by working with visa service, embassies and/or field offices
• Responsible for accurate invoice processing and follow up on payment with Finance units
• Manage relationships with the TMC’s, Consultants, Airlines, Hotel Management Companies, Embassies and the Nigerian Immigration office
• Keep accurate information of Staff’s travel documents
• Assist on an on-call & after-hours basis. Includes working remotely on weekends as needed.
• Research visa requirements for travelers, entry restrictions and other relevant travel concerns.
• Monitor travel and intelligence provider alerts and develop solutions to near-term issues potentially affecting travel (i.e. inclement weather, organized strikes, global events, etc.).
• Prepare weekly and monthly travel reports
• Perform other duties and assignments as required

Minimum Qualification/Experience

• Degree in Business or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of cognate experience in a similar role. Travel industry background is essential including some practical knowledge of Amadeus and fare rules.
• Experience in corporate travel management, travel strategy implementation, including a comprehensive understanding of airlines' and travel agencies' practices, corporate payment methods and industry economics and trend.
• Knowledge of Ticketing & Expense reporting and processing
• Communication: Actively work to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration: Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyses available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances
• Exceptional ability to work independently as well as with all levels of management and staff.
• Ability to make independent decisions following standard policies and procedures.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks requiring a high degree of attention to detail with changing levels of priority.

Working Relationship:

• Executive Directors
• Managing Directors within the Group
• All Staff
• Vendors, Travel Agencies & Consultants,
• Finance department
• Service Providers etc.