Liaison and Protocol Officer

ILRI seeks to recruit a Liaison and Protocol Officer to develop and maintain effective working relationship with government offices, diplomatic missions, international agencies and non-governmental organizations in Kenya in order to ensure the smooth running of ILRI’s operations in Kenya.

ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centers working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in West and southern Africa and South and Southeast Asia. www.ilri.org.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors. CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

The position: The Liaison and Protocol Officer will act as the link between ILRI and the Kenya Government Departments, namely: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration Department, Kenya Revenue Authority and the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, handling documents and issues related to staff immigration and duty-free and tax provisions as per the Host Country Agreement for ILRI and its eligible staff. The officer will promote collaborative, client-focussed, quality and results-oriented approach consistent with ILRI regulations and rules and relevant host country statutes. The officer will work in close collaboration with various teams within ILRI, government counterparts and other resident and non-resident agencies to exchange information and ensure consistent and timely service delivery.

 Responsibilities:

• Ensure international norms of diplomatic protocol are followed in line with the host country agreement.
• Provide protocol services and advise the Institute and hosted organizations.
• Provide assistance to expatriate staff, their dependants and official visitors to the Institute on matters of consular nature including travel, visas and re-entry permits and note verballes.
• Maintain a professional relationship with Customs and Security Officials at the JKIA and provide assistance with arrival and / or departure formalities at JKIA.
• Receive and manage motor vehicle registration, disposal, de-registration of all ILRI official vehicles and personal vehicles with diplomatic plates.
• Coordinate and organize official government related ceremonies, such as official visits, and official social functions, such as receptions and luncheons.
• Advise on policies and procedures and represent the Institute in according VIP facilities to ministers and other visiting dignitaries to the Institute.
• Lead the Liaison function to ensure it responds effectively to the Institute’s needs and follows best practice.
• Represent the Institute on a day to day basis in all activities requiring personal interaction with Protocol officers.
• Advise and assist the Institute in maintaining good relationships with the Government Ministries, Foreign Missions and Agencies based in Kenya

Requirements

• First degree in International relations or related field with at least 5 years relevant work experience in a comparable position.
• Wide experience and knowledge of Government of Kenya operations particularly Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local legislation.
• Ability to understand and relate to the changing relations and limitations of the space and latitude of working with governmental bureaucrats.
• In-depth knowledge and skills in diplomatic and protocol issues.
• Ability to work in cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments and international organizations is highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship building skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Good personal organizational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Highly effective multi-tasking skills, with ability to co-ordinate, prioritize and organize workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold integrity of information.

Terms of appointment:

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) positions based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus and is for a 3 years’ contract period.

Job level and salary:

This position is job level 3A with a starting gross salary of KES 225,639 per month. In addition to salary, ILRI offers Medical insurance for staff and dependents, Life insurance, Pension at 12.5% employers contribution, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+ public holidays within ILRI’s National Recruited Staff Scheme.

How to apply:

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development through our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ by 22 August 2014. The position title and reference number REF: LPO/P&OD/08/14 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.