The Administrative Officer in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides high-level administrative, coordination, and operational support to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the COO's Office. The role serves as a key liaison between the COO, internal teams, and external stakeholders, facilitating clear communication, timely follow-up, and effective delivery of operational priorities.
The position supports coordination across units and teams within the COO's portfolio, including the preparation and monitoring of annual workplans, tracking progress against agreed deliverables, and ensuring timely reporting in line with organizational requirements.
What you will do
Executive and Operational Support
Manage the COO's calendar, prioritize meeting requests, and coordinate travel, logistics, and briefing materials.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the COO's Office, screening and prioritizing emails, calls, correspondence, and requests.
Prepare, edit, and format executive summaries, operational reports, presentations, and meeting materials.
Organize meetings between the COO and relevant teams, prepare agendas, capture action points, track deadlines, and follow up on deliverables.
Establish and maintain effective communication channels within the COO's Office and across teams.
Develop and strengthen administrative structures and workflows that support the effective functioning of the COO's Office.
Maintain professional relationships with visitors, partners, collaborating organizations, and government stakeholders.
Process Improvement and Project Coordination
Support the COO in streamlining cross-team workflows and standardizing operating procedures.
Track organizational and operational key performance indicators, milestones, and progress against agreed priorities.
Coordinate special projects and strategic initiatives led by the Office of the COO.
Act as a liaison between the COO and administrative, operational, and technical teams to ensure alignment and timely execution.
Identify administrative bottlenecks and recommend practical improvements to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Administrative Management
Maintain organized, accurate, and confidential records for the COO's Office.
Manage and monitor the COO's Office budget, expenditures, procurement requests, invoices, and expense reports.
Coordinate operational updates, policy communication, and administrative information flow across the organization.
Oversee logistics, procurement activities, office requirements, and administrative support related to the COO's Office.
Ensure compliance with internal procedures for document management, confidentiality and reporting.
What you bring
Education, Experience and Technical Skills
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Operations, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience providing high-level administrative, executive, or operational support, preferably in a complex, fast paced, and/or international organization.
Administrative and coordination skills: Strong ability to manage schedules, organize meetings, track deliverables, follow up on actions, and coordinate multiple priorities.
Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, presentations, minutes, and correspondence.
Technology proficiency: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and other productivity, project management, or collaboration tools.
Professional judgement: High level of discretion, confidentiality, diplomacy, and sound judgement when handling sensitive organizational information and stakeholder relationships.
Personal Attributes and Competencies
Planning and organization: Demonstrates strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, coordinate schedules, and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
Executive support and judgement: Anticipates the COO's needs, handles sensitive matters with discretion, and applies sound judgement in managing information, requests, and stakeholder interactions.
Communication and relationship management: Communicates clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, maintains effective working relationships, and represents the COO's Office with courtesy and credibility.
Problem-solving and initiative: Identifies operational gaps, proposes practical solutions, follows through on agreed actions, and takes initiative to improve administrative processes.
Attention to detail and accuracy: Produces accurate documents, reports, records, minutes, and correspondence while maintaining high standards of quality and consistency.
Confidentiality and integrity: Maintains strict confidentiality, demonstrates ethical conduct, and handles organizational information responsibly and professionally.
Coordination and follow-through: Tracks action points, monitors progress, follows up with relevant teams, and ensures that commitments and deadlines are met.
Adaptability and resilience: Works effectively in a fast-paced environment, responds constructively to changing priorities, and remains composed under pressure.
Digital and systems proficiency: Uses Microsoft Office 365 and relevant digital tools effectively to support documentation, scheduling, reporting, collaboration, and workflow management.
Job Information
Reference No: 202661
Department Name: Office of the COO
Hiring Manager: ICRAF Recruitments
Date Opened: 09/14/2026
Target Date: 09/21/2026
Number of Positions: 1
Job Opening Status: In-progress
Job Type: Local Position
Industry: Research
City: Nairobi
State/Province: Nairobi City
Country: Kenya
Zip/Postal Code: P.O Box 30677-0100
Terms and Conditions
This is a Locally Recruited Position (LRS). Landscape Alliance offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, with a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya Landscape Alliance Offices.
About the company
Landscape Alliance transforms science into action, unlocking the power of trees, forests and agroforestry landscapes to advance planetary health and human well-being. It is the shared operating name of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), two independent International Organizations and CGIAR Research Centers working together through a common strategy, governance and leadership structure.
CIFOR and ICRAF bring together decades of scientific leadership in forests, trees, agroforestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems and livelihoods. CIFOR, headquartered in Bogor, Indonesia, advances research on forests and landscape management to inform policies and practices that improve human well-being, protect the environment and increase equity. ICRAF, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, harnesses the benefits of trees for people and the environment, generating knowledge that helps governments, development partners and farmers make farming and livelihoods more sustainable.
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