Executive Assistant

About the role

SNV, a global development partner active in Africa and Asia, is looking for an Executive Assistant to join its Ethiopia country office. The role supports the Country Director and the Directors of Finance, Operations, Programmes and People & Culture, keeping leadership priorities on track by anticipating needs, connecting people and information and following through on decisions, working independently and with discretion.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate the Executive Leadership Team and Country Management Team: maintain forward agendas, circulate meeting packs on time and prepare minutes, decisions and actions.
• Manage the Country Director's diary and coordinate Directors' schedules, protecting priorities and resolving or escalating conflicts.
• Track decisions and commitments to completion, following up with action owners and flagging overdue or blocked items.
• Draft and review high-quality correspondence, briefings and presentations in line with SNV standards and confidentiality requirements.
• Coordinate engagement and protocol with government, donors, partners and regional/global colleagues, and organise travel, visits, workshops and leadership events.
• Safeguard confidential information by maintaining secure, version-controlled executive and governance records.
• Use Microsoft 365 tools and approved AI to streamline executive-office workflows.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent higher vocational qualification) in business administration, office management, public administration or a related field.
• Substantial experience supporting senior leaders, ideally in a complex, multicultural organisation.
• Absolute discretion and sound judgement with confidential and sensitive information.
• Excellent English, with sharp drafting, editing and minute-taking skills; local languages are a plus.
• Proactive, organised and flexible team player who thrives on accuracy and service.

Required skills

• Advanced Microsoft 365 skills (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Excel, Copilot).

What we offer

• Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
• A challenging work environment with opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills.

The contract is national, for one year with possible extension depending on performance and budget, starting on 11 January 2027. Candidates apply through SNV's careers page before 23 November 2026 with a CV and motivation letter; background and reference checks are required.