Executive Assistant to the Executive Secretary

About this role

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) is recruiting an Executive Assistant to the Executive Secretary, a senior executive support role based at the Foundation's headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. The post-holder serves as the principal operational and coordination anchor of the Executive Secretary's office, ensuring the ES's priorities, commitments and engagements are executed with professionalism and discretion. Day to day, the Executive Assistant coordinates the functioning of the Executive Office, maintaining and prioritising the Executive Secretary's strategic calendar and tracking key decisions and deadlines across departments and with external partners. The role manages high-level engagements with governments, development partners, Board members and senior stakeholders, preparing briefing materials, talking points and background documentation in collaboration with relevant units.

The EA also plans Management meetings, prepares agendas, captures minutes and decisions, tracks implementation of agreed actions, and may support the Executive Board and Board of Governors. Additional duties include managing high-level correspondence, drafting reports and briefs for signature, maintaining a stakeholder database, coordinating international and regional missions, and running confidential filing systems. Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies or a related field, with special training in secretarial studies, and have eight to ten years of relevant experience in executive office management or coordination within international organisations or development institutions. Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership in complex institutional settings is required, and prior work with Boards and high-level stakeholders is an advantage.

Fluency in English and French is mandatory, alongside strong organisational, drafting, analytical and Microsoft Office skills. This is a full-time position. ACBF is the African Union's specialised agency for capacity development, headquartered in Harare with regional offices in Accra and Nairobi. A competitive salary and generous benefits, including international medical cover and retirement benefits, are offered.

Apply with a resume and cover letter to recruitment@theacbf.org by 31 October 2026.