Operations & Project Manager

We’re transforming Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries!

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is an innovative, pan-African centre for post-graduate training, research and outreach which has achieved global recognition since opening its first centre in South Africa in 2003. AIMS centres offer a number of educational programs including a one-year taught Masters and MPhil and PhD degrees by research. Each AIMS centre provides an intensive and broad education to over 50 African students each year and prepares them for leadership careers in academia, governance and industry. The AIMS educational program relies on top international lecturers who teach in a 24-hour learning environment.

The Next Einstein Forum, an initiative of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in partnership with the Robert Bosch Stiftung, is a non-profit, independent and impartial international membership-driven forum for science, where outstanding thinkers and leading stakeholders come together in Africa from the scientific, industry, civil-society and government sectors to showcase leading scientific advances, breakthrough discoveries and collaborate to use science to further human development.

The Next Einstein Forum is anchored by biennial Global Gatherings, which bring together 500+ leaders in high-profile, invitation-only conferences to engage in deep and inquisitive discussion, sharing of diverse ideas and to facilitate ideas leading to action. The first historic gathering will be held in 2015 and will be looked to as the moment Africa joined the international stage in science.

We believe that science is central to human development. Our vision is that the Next Einstein Forum will play a leading role in both the establishment of a pan-African scientific identity on the basis of excellence, exchange, inclusiveness and service to humanity and the development of Africa into a knowledge-driven society. Our aim is to contribute to a brighter global future. Our dream is that the next Einstein will be African.

If you bring a collaborative spirit with a passion to affect change, consider this new opportunity as our…

Operations & Project Manager

The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) is in search of the right Operations & Project Manager to help facilitate and support the launch of this initiative. Inspired by an ambitious mission, you will contribute to leading day-to-day operations and provide sound project management to ensure goals and objectives are successfully realized.

As a senior administrative professional, you are clearly attuned to the bigger picture and can sensibly create and distinctly manage operational and project plans to meet and/or surpass budgetary expectations and timeline sensitivities. You are accustomed to and enjoy juggling a diverse portfolio, inclusive of financial management, project management, proposal generation and associated administration. In this start-up role and liaising with key Secretariat colleagues, you will identify and establish the necessary protocols and practices to enable the smooth delivery of NEF initiatives, to enable requisite reporting while acting as a key source of operational guidance and counsel to the NEF team.

This is a full time, 2-year contract opportunity (pending funding), virtually based from your fully equipped home office.

Do you have what we need?

· You have achieved a post-secondary degree/diploma in any discipline along with a minimum 5 years relevant business experience

· You are self-motivated, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple and large-scale, time-sensitive projects

· You are an experienced project manager and can use modern project management tools to

· You are a confident presenter, at ease to exercise tact and diplomacy

· You bring professional written and verbal communication skills, in English and working fluency in French

· You are flexible to adapt to a dynamic, evolving environment alongside a growing team of uniquely diverse professionals

· You are familiar with the political, social, economic and cultural context of working in Africa

· You are self-sufficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and savvy with web-based applications (Dropbox, Google, Skype)

· You are able and willing to travel within and out of Africa, for periodic extended in-country stays of up to 8 weeks

How to apply:

Are you ready to be a part of the transformation?

Submit your letter of motivation, including salary expectations and a detailed CV, together with the names of at least three references to: careers@nexteinstein.org** (Please quote “NEF, Operations & Project Manager” in the subject line). Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2014.**

Should no feedback be received from AIMS-NEI within four weeks of your submission, kindly accept that your application will not be further pursued. AIMS-NEI reserves the right not to make an appointment at its sole discretion.

AIMS-NEI is an equal opportunity employer.