Executive Assistant to the CEO
Space for Giants
Quick Take
Manage the CEO's calendar, correspondence, travel, and board logistics while serving as the primary liaison between the CEO's office and internal/external stakeholders.
5+ years of C-suite executive assistant experience, fluency in professional written English, and ability to handle confidential multi-time-zone operations independently.
Competitive salary (KES 150–250K/mo), strategic role at a respected international conservation NGO, and direct exposure to senior leadership and global donors.
Job Description
Space for Giants, a leading international conservation organisation dedicated to protecting Africa's great wildlife landscapes and elephant habitats, is seeking a highly capable and discreet Executive Assistant to the CEO based in Nanyuki, Kenya. This is a pivotal role within the Office of the CEO, providing comprehensive, proactive, and confidential administrative and strategic support to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Team.
The ideal candidate will be a polished professional who anticipates needs before they arise, manages complexity with calm efficiency, and serves as a trusted ambassador for the CEO's office. You will be the connective tissue between the CEO and the wider organisation, major donors, international partners, and board members — ensuring every engagement is seamless and every communication reflects the highest standards of the organisation.
- Proactively manage the CEO's calendar, prioritising appointments, resolving scheduling conflicts, and ensuring the CEO's time is optimally allocated to strategic priorities.
- Arrange comprehensive local and international travel logistics for the CEO, including itineraries, visa applications, accommodation, and ground transport.
- Monitor, draft, prioritise, and follow up on the CEO's correspondence — emails, letters, and formal communications — acting as a gatekeeper and representative of the Office of the CEO.
- Prepare detailed briefing materials, background documents, and talking points ahead of all CEO engagements, meetings, and external appearances.
- Organise Board and Senior Management Committee meetings, including logistics, agenda preparation, minute-taking, and tracking of action points to completion.
- Maintain accurate and well-organised filing and document retrieval systems for the CEO's office.
- Coordinate closely with the Chief of Staff on workflow prioritisation, cross-functional coordination, and delegated tasks across the Office of the CEO.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the Board of Directors, major donors, partners, and SFG staff, maintaining respectful and professional relationships at all times.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information with absolute discretion and sound judgment.
- Support special projects and ad hoc assignments as directed by the CEO or Chief of Staff.
- Demonstrate at least 5 years of experience providing high-level executive or personal assistant support to a C-suite leader, ideally within an NGO, INGO, or international organisation.
- Manage complex multi-time-zone calendars and international travel arrangements independently, without requiring step-by-step supervision.
- Draft professional, polished correspondence in English on behalf of senior leadership, adapting tone and style to different audiences including donors, board members, and government officials.
- Operate with a high degree of confidentiality and exercise sound, independent judgement in sensitive situations.
- Produce clear, accurate meeting minutes and track action items through to resolution.
- Navigate competing priorities and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships across cultures and seniority levels, including with international board members and major donors.
- Demonstrate strong proficiency with productivity tools (Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, video conferencing platforms, and document management systems).
- Hold a Bachelor's degree (BA/BSc/HND) in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Communications, or a related discipline.
Space for Giants offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and in line with INGO salary scales in Kenya. The estimated monthly salary range for this role is KES 150,000 – 250,000. While specific benefits were not detailed in the posting, INGO roles of this seniority in Kenya typically include medical cover, annual leave, and a supportive working environment aligned with conservation values.
Ideal candidates are experienced executive assistants who thrive behind the scenes, take pride in flawless execution, and are passionate about conservation and wildlife protection. You are discreet, proactive, exceptionally organised, and comfortable working with high-profile stakeholders in an international setting. You are based in or willing to relocate to Nanyuki, and you are energised by being part of a mission-driven organisation making a tangible difference for Africa's elephants and ecosystems.
Do not apply if you have fewer than 5 years of direct C-suite support experience, if you require heavy supervision to manage competing priorities, or if you are uncomfortable with the confidentiality demands of a senior executive support role.
- Visit the Space for Giants careers page or the platform where this role is listed.
- Prepare an updated CV and a tailored cover letter addressed to the hiring team, clearly highlighting your experience supporting C-suite executives and managing complex logistics.
- Submit your application through the official application portal or as directed in the job listing.
- No deadline has been specified — apply as soon as possible, as the role may close once a suitable candidate is identified.
- Important: Never pay any fee for certificates, assessments, or notarisation as part of any recruitment process. When in doubt, contact Space for Giants directly.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Minimum 5 years of high-level executive or personal assistant experience to a C-suite leader
- Proven experience managing complex multi-time-zone calendars and international travel independently
- Professional English writing skills; ability to draft polished correspondence for senior audiences (donors, board members, officials)
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and sound judgment
- Experience working in an NGO, INGO, or international organisation environment
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with conservation, wildlife, or development sector
- Experience coordinating Board and senior management meetings
- Knowledge of Kenyan government protocols or international diplomatic engagement
- Proficiency in project management or workflow coordination tools
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Salary Context
Above-market salary for Executive Assistant to the CEO in Nanyuki, reflective of international NGO standards.
Executive assistants to C-suite leaders in Kenya typically earn KES 120–200K/mo; this posting's range (KES 150–250K) is at the upper end, likely reflecting Space for Giants' international donor base and the complexity of coordinating across multiple time zones and geographies. Experience, location (Nanyuki vs. Nairobi), and sector specialisation drive variance.
About Space for Giants
Space for Giants is a leading international conservation organisation focused on protecting Africa's wildlife landscapes and elephant habitats, operating across multiple countries with significant donor and partner networks. The organisation combines on-ground conservation impact with strategic partnerships, making it a respected voice in African wildlife protection. Working here offers meaningful involvement in high-impact conservation work alongside exposure to senior international leadership and global stakeholders.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Can you walk us through a time when you managed a complex, multi-time-zone calendar for a senior leader? How did you handle competing priorities and scheduling conflicts?
- 2
Describe your experience drafting correspondence and briefing materials for board members or donors. How do you adapt your communication style for different audiences?
- 3
Tell us about a sensitive or confidential situation you handled in a previous role. How did you exercise judgment and discretion?
- 4
Space for Giants works across international partnerships and multiple countries. Describe your experience coordinating international travel logistics, including visa applications and ground arrangements.
- 5
How do you anticipate your executive's needs before they ask? Can you give a specific example of proactive support that had a measurable impact?
Application Tips
Highlight specific examples of C-suite support: mention named executives or board-level roles you've supported, and quantify the scale (e.g., 'managed calendars across 5 time zones for a CEO with 200+ annual engagements').
Emphasise your discretion and confidentiality track record—NGO boards and donors are sensitive to privacy; showcase how you've handled restricted information or sensitive negotiations.
Demonstrate cultural fluency with international organisations: mention experience with donor relations, board coordination, or cross-cultural stakeholder management, which directly speaks to Space for Giants' model.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, detailed job description with specific responsibilities and measurable outputs (calendar management, travel coordination, board meeting logistics).
- Transparent salary range published upfront, positioned at the competitive/above-market level for this role in Kenya.
- Reputable international conservation organisation with likely donor backing and structured governance (Board of Directors mentioned), suggesting stability and professional environment.
- Based in Nanyuki (Kenya's wildlife hub), offering unique career positioning in East Africa's conservation sector rather than typical Nairobi corporate roles.
Watch Out
- Job description cuts off mid-sentence ('sound, independent judgeme...'), suggesting the posting may be incomplete or hastily prepared—clarify full role scope and any missing responsibilities before applying.
- No mention of benefits, leave policy, or professional development—these are standard for international NGOs; seek clarification during interview to avoid surprises.
A Day in the Life
Your week balances immediate operational demands with strategic anticipation: mornings involve reviewing the CEO's inbox, prioritising correspondence, and syncing calendar priorities with the Chief of Staff; mid-week typically includes preparing briefing packs for upcoming donor calls or board engagements, coordinating logistics for the CEO's field visits to wildlife conservancies, and handling sensitive communications with international partners. You'll track action items from senior management meetings, liaise with board members on governance matters, and resolve ad-hoc travel requests—all while maintaining meticulous documentation and ensuring every interaction with external stakeholders reflects Space for Giants' professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be an Executive Assistant to the CEO at Space for Giants?
You must have at least 5 years of high-level executive assistant experience (ideally in an NGO or INGO), proven expertise in multi-time-zone calendar and international travel management, and polished English writing skills. Experience in the conservation or international development sector is valued but not mandatory.
Is the Executive Assistant to the CEO role at Space for Giants remote?
No, the role is based in Nanyuki, Kenya, and is full-time. You will be physically present in the Office of the CEO to manage the CEO's calendar, travel, and meetings directly.
How much does an Executive Assistant to the CEO earn at Space for Giants?
The role offers KES 150,000–250,000 per month, which is competitive and above-market for executive assistant roles in Kenya, reflecting the international scope and seniority of the position.
What are the career growth opportunities from this role?
This is a gateway to senior operations and leadership roles within international NGOs: successful candidates typically progress to Chief of Staff, Head of CEO Office, or strategic donor relations positions, leveraging deep familiarity with organisational leadership and governance.
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