Role and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Head of Mission and Second Secretary, the Head of Administration will manage and direct the Embassy Administration Team to ensure the efficient and effective running of the whole of Embassy administrative, operational and human resource functions.

The precise range of duties will vary over time according to the needs of the Embassy, but will include the following:

• Day-to-day management of a diverse team with lead responsibilities including Human Resource Management, IT management system, staff learning and development, and Statutory Compliance;

• Robust management of the Embassy’s administrative and support activities relating to procurement, budgeting, office, security and contract management, ensuring compliance with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) policies and procedures;

• Participating in Strategic Planning review processes and contribute relevant information and analyses including advice on appropriate risk management and mitigation across the work of the Embassy;

• Participating in cross Embassy workplace teams including Gender Core Team, Health & Safety Team and Green Team and ensure the Embassy’s policies are properly implemented;

• Manage strategic relationships with external stakeholders including government ministries, departments and agencies and oversee efficient and effective internal communications;

• Overseeing the acquisition, management, and disposal of the Embassy’s physical properties including lease arrangements for relevant premises and ensure compliance with appropriate procedures;

• Oversee the Embassy’s knowledge management and learning functions and practices and the maintenance of a repository of information, statistics and trends;

• The Head of Administration may be required to carry out other functions subject to the business needs of the Embassy, including periodic out of hours and weekend duties.

Essential Requirements candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• Candidates must have a degree, preferably in disciplines such as:

• Human Resource Management; Business Administration Management; Or a related field.

• Candidates must have at least five years’ experience at a senior middle-management level with full responsibilities for corporate services and/or organisational operations;

• Candidates must show extensive experience in the planning and implementation of human resource management policies, performance management systems, payroll and related, as well as the ability to analyse, interpret and explain the legal framework regulating employment in Ethiopia;

• The candidate must provide evidence of flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness showing strong organizational skills, attention to detail, able to work under pressure and to manage multiple tasks;

• The candidate should provide examples of being solution-oriented, and committed to delivering results, including by adapting approach if necessary;

• The candidate must demonstrate, using work based examples, excellent interpersonal skills, being persuasive, working in a team but also dealing effectively with people in external organisations and demonstrating high standards of integrity and trust in a leadership role;

• Proven ability to collate and distil large amounts of information, summarising findings to be used for management decisions and planning;

• The candidate must possess an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel);

• The candidate must have an excellent knowledge of budgets and procurement;

• The candidate must have effective supervision skill/knowledge on a range of skilled staff to ensure their effective utilisation and performance;

• The candidate must be fully committed to team working and have the ability to work on one’s own initiative;

• The candidate must be fluent in English with excellent written and oral communication skills;

• All applicants must have a permanent legal right to reside and work in Ethiopia

 Additional Desirable Skills and Experience:

• At least five years’ relevant experience working with, INGO, donor agencies or similar environment;

• Familiarity with the key principles and practice of effective aid delivery;

• A good understanding of the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ireland.

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Embassy of Ireland, Addis Ababa

Contract duration: The successful candidates will be hired on a fixed term three-year contract with a probation period of 60 working days.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, with standard office hours from 8am-5pm, with total working hours not exceeding 48 hours per week as per local labour law.

Annual Leave Entitlement: Annual leave entitlement is 20 working days per annum.

Salary: The starting salary will be €29,160.24 gross per annum paid in local currency. Salaries are paid direct to a bank account; therefore, the successful candidate must have a bank account.

Eligibility: Candidates must have a permanent, legal right to reside and work in Ethiopia and will be subject to employment and taxation law.

How To Apply

Closing date: Monday the 2nd of October 2023 @ 1700hrs

Application form: Application form can be obtained on Embassy’s website:

CLICK HERE or through email request to  ADDISABABAExternalEmail@dfa.ie; or in person from reception desk, Ireland Embassy (hard copy).

Please send ONLY a completed application form to: ADDISABABAExternalEmail@dfa.ie OR to the postal address

Ireland Embassy, P.O.Box 9585 Addis Ababa OR in person at the reception desk of the Embassy, before the closing date, with “Application for Head of Administration” in the subject line.

Depending on response rates, the deadline may be extended. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Selection Process:

• Depending on the number of applications received, a short-listing of candidates to be called for a competency-based interview may be undertaken, based on the Essential/Key Requirements above;

• It is planned that interviews will be held the end of October/beginning of November 2023;

• A technical assessment will be included in the recruitment process;

• A second interview may be included in the recruitment process;

• A panel may be set up depending on the calibre of candidates.

General Data Protection Regulation:

All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.

Security Clearance for Local Staff

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful, this information will be destroyed. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position, they will be required to supply this information again.

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.

The Embassy of Ireland, Addis Ababa is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.