Executive Assistant

Organisation Overview

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation works with partners to strengthen systems and create lasting impact. We are looking for an Executive Assistant to join our Ethiopia country office.

For more information on SNV's, please visit our website: www.snv.org. 

About the role

As Executive Assistant, you will be a trusted partner to the Country Director and the Directors of Finance, Operations, Programmes, and People & Culture. You will keep leadership priorities on track by anticipating needs, connecting people and information, and driving follow-through on decisions, working independently and with discretion.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Country Management Team (CMT): 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 that reflect 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.
• Make the most of Microsoft 365 tools and approved AI to streamline executive-office workflows and drive continuous improvement.

What we are looking for:

• A 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.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 skills (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Excel, Copilot).
• A proactive, organised and flexible team player who thrives on accuracy and service.

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: January 11, 2027

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: The contract is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

How to Apply

Apply through SNV’s SmartRecruiters careers page before/on November 23,2026. Please submit your CV and a motivation letter. SNV is committed to integrity, neutrality and professional conduct; shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Working at SNV  

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts.

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc

Reference & vetting check

At SNV, we conduct thorough background and reference checks for all candidates applying for internationally determined positions, with a strong focus on safeguarding. You will be asked to provide contact details for two individuals who can serve as references. Please note, we will only contact your referees with your explicit permission.

As a participant in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, our reference checks also include a request to your previous employers to complete a "Statement of Conduct" questionnaire. This questionnaire addresses any instances of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, in line with the Scheme's definitions.

*We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.