Chief of Staff at Slum2School Africa

Job Description

• The Chief of Staff plays a crucial role in orchestrating daily operations with a strategic focus, actively engages with staff, identify challenges, and formulate solutions for seamless communication. This role translates organizational goals into actionable initiatives, overseeing internal and external communications and managing company-wide programs. The Chief of Staff ensures decisions are effectively communicated, fostering cohesion and alignment with strategic objectives.
• The ideal candidate is a dynamic, proactive leader who thrives in a multicultural corporate setting, demonstrating exceptional communication skills and the ability to lead operational and strategic processes across distributed teams.

Key Areas of Accountability

• As the Chief of Staff, you will serve as liaison with staff, executives, senior leaders, and the Executive Director, regarding the organization’s vision, mission, culture, employee well-being, project updates, proposals, and planning.
• Manage the Executive Director’s schedule, locally and internationally, scheduling meetings and coordinating local and international travel.
• Draft newsletters, reports, pitch decks, speeches, and presentations on behalf of the Executive Director.
• Assist the Executive Director identify priorities, strategically align his time with those, and revisit them regularly to assess progress.
• Represent and/or work together with the Executive Director to plan and attend high level events and engagements.
• Provide department leaders with recommendations and consultation to improve teamwork across the organization.
• Collaborate and work with the executive leadership team to determine and prioritize organization strategies.
• Coordinate meetings of the Board of Directors and its Committees including management meetings with the Executive Director and management team.
• Assist the Human Resources department with new hires, including documentation and onboarding, and collaborate to address and resolve all employee concerns.
• Manage the planning, overseeing, coordinating and keeping contents of a meeting focused.
• Act as a key thought partner, brainstorming & identifying solutions to challenges.
• Provides the Executive Director and other senior leaders with insight and analysis on the organization’s operations, including socio-economic outlook.
• Adapt and pivot priorities as business needs evolve, demonstrating flexibility.
• Aids in and ultimately ensure the timely completion of creative projects.
• Plan leadership team retreats, developing objectives and agenda, and coordinating on logistics.
• Develop and build on relationships with all staff for increased efficiency and responsiveness of existing operations, and help define new operational strategies by working with the Executive Director and other executives on special projects.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert, handling inquiries, developing action plans, and assisting with preparation and dissemination of communications.
• Uphold and embody the company's values and culture as an organizational ambassador.

Team Leadership:

• Managing the day-to-day activities of the Executive Director.
• Motivate team members to consistently achieve organizational goals.
• Developing and implementing a timeline to achieve targets.
• Foster internal and external relationships through effective networking.
• Conducting training for team members to maximize their potential.
• Identifying and empowering team members with skills to improve their confidence, product knowledge, and communication skills.
• Contribute to the growth of the company through the success of the team.
• Creating a pleasant working environment that inspires the team.
• Ensure the growth of the team through strategic initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

• Percentage of scheduled meetings and travel arrangements that are accurately coordinated and executed on time.
• Number of identified priorities aligned with the Executive Director's vision and mission, with regular progress assessments.
• Successful coordination and documentation of Board meetings and management meetings with the Executive Director and management team.
• Percentage increase in meeting focus and productivity based on pre-defined objectives.
• Improvement in operational efficiency based on feedback from staff and executives.
• Recognition and positive feedback for upholding and embodying the company's values and culture.
• Strengthening relationships with staff, measured through surveys or feedback mechanisms.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, or in a related field is required. A higher Degree such as a Master's in Business Administration or a relevant program management certification is an added advantage.
• 5+ years of professional experience driving organizational initiatives in a business management or executive role.
• Experience in wide-range or cross-functional areas, and an eagerness to learn new skills.
• Membership of recognized professional body (PMI) is an added advantage.
• Proven success in a project coordination role.
• Experience in data analysis and budget management.
• Nimble business mind with a focus on developing creative solutions.

Skill and Competencies:

• Strategic thinker, data-driven and analytical in approach to solving problems.
• Versatile abilities and extreme dedication to efficient productivity.
• Excels at building relationships and networks; influences others to achieve outcomes.
• Systems and process-thinker; loves creating order out of chaos.
• Comfortable behind the stage, supporting the person in the spotlight; thrives on helping others be their best selves and anticipating their needs before they are spoken.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Deeply loyal and a steel-trap with confidential information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; highly organized with concern for detail and a commitment to rigor.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to manage teams, departments, and projects simultaneously.
• Professionalism, empathy, and the ability to work as part of a team, maintain a sense of humor, and interact with a diverse array of people from all walks of life.
• Strong relationship, communication, and project management skills.