Office & HR Assistant (fixed term maternity cover contract [until January 2027])

Office & HR Assistant (10 month fixed term contract, maternity cover)

Aga Khan Foundation

The position

To support the AKF(UK) team by running efficient and effective systems for front office and office operations. To support the Head of HR and work closely with the HR Officer in HR Administration. To cover for PA duties to the CEO when the PA to the CEO and Office Administrator is not available. This support and coordination role will help the office as a whole to sustain high professional standards and effectiveness. The Office & HR Assistant is responsible for: office administration (50%), HR, Health& Safety & security administration (45%), and IT administration (5%).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND CORE TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Office administration (50%)

• Answer the AKF UK main phone line and pass on messages to AKF (UK) employees as appropriate
• Open and process the post at the Aga Khan Centre and deliver to the relevant AKF (UK) employee
• Manage the “front office” email account and ensure emails are replied to or forwarded to the relevant AKF (UK) employee
• Support the greeting and receiving of AKF (UK) guests at AKC
• Book meeting rooms at AKC for colleagues and external partners and arrange catering as required
• Support AKF(UK) events, facilitate and support hosting of meetings and events for partners, including travel, visas, accommodation, and catering; this may require some out of office duties
• Manage the meeting schedule for All Staff Meetings
• Support the management of the organisation’s travel agent
• Support the management of the organisation’s mobile phone provider
• Arrange couriers for AKF (UK) employees as required
• Collect and maintain a detailed inventory of office equipment, IT equipment (mobile phones, laptops, desktops etc) and supplies
• Maintain the equipment purchasing guide with input from the IT Department
• Support the management of GDPR data lists and data requests

 
HR, Health, safety & security administration (45%)

• Maintain a detailed contact list for all AKF (UK) employees and keep it up to date
• Keep the AKF (UK) Emergency WhatsApp group up to date and share emergency messages as required
• Support recruitment processes by placing job adverts internally and externally
• Preparing and sending out offer letters and contracts as directed by the Head of HR
• Support the onboarding process including sending reference requests and background check requests
• Arrange induction and logistical arrangements for new employees including setting up phone, email, mobile, laptop, etc and purchasing new equipment as necessary
• Add new members to benefit schemes such as the private healthcare plan 
• Arrange leaving process for AKF (UK) employees and ensure all equipment is returned
• Support the Head of HR with the administration of the HR Management System (MyAKF)
• Troubleshoot any issues or problems with the MyAKF HR system, working with the MyAKF helpdesk
• Provide MyAKF system training to new starters.
• Draft visa sponsorship letters for all AKF (UK) employees and submit for approval and signature
• Provide Visa invitation letters to visiting delegates/employees.
• Coordinate with our travel insurance providers to arrange additional coverage for employee travel where required.
• Act as a Health and Safety Officer and Fire Marshal for AKF (UK)
• Act as a AKF (UK) First Aider including obtaining annual certification
• Create and cultivate an office culture that contributes to the happiness and well-being of all employees. 

IT administration (5%)

• Liaise with internal IT support as necessary to trouble-shoot issues and order equipment
• Work with IT services to ensure that all software is updated and maintained on individual’s computers and hardware on a regular basis.

Other

• Cover the PA to the CEO and Office Administrator’s workload during periods of sickness or annual leave

The requirements

Qualifications

• Educated to A-Levels desirable

Skills

• Highly organised with strong logistical skills and proven consistent attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, patience and ability to work in a cross-institutional, multicultural environment dealing with senior and high-level officials/persons and VIPs
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills and ability to draft and write effective copy and present to a range of audiences from senior-level to partners and suppliers
• Comfortable working independently and under minimal supervision but also forming an essential component of a team
• Strong operational and IT skills as well as an openness to learning new software and tools

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Apple applications
• Keen interest in international development and improving knowledge of these issues will be a distinct advantage

Experience

• Proven strong experience of office administration
• HR administration experience is desirable.
• Proven ability to multitask in a busy, open-plan office environment; ability to work under pressure, juggling various requests and deadlines
• Proven ability to deliver a consistently high level of accuracy in preparing and entering information
• Flexible approach to working, able to pick up a variety of tasks/projects with minimal supervision; ability to anticipate issues or scenarios when planning calls, meetings, or business trips, and to address them proactively

Must have right to work in the UK.
Must include CV and a supporting statement that outlines why they want the role, why they want to work for AKF(UK) and how their experiences and skills to date will make them the most suitable applicant for the role.

Sector

Social Development

About the Agency

The Aga Khan Foundation is a leading global development organisation working to tackle the root causes of poverty. For more than 50 years, we have helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. By combining local knowledge with global best practices, we strive to bring about transformative and long-lasting improvements to quality of life.

Working alongside the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and through partnerships with local communities, civil society and business as well as governments and international aid agencies, we are building a future where we all thrive together.