Job Description
Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Reports to: Board of Directors
Location: Upperhill, Nairobi, Kenya
Internal Liaisons: Staff at all levels of the organization
Position Status: Permanent
Organization Summary
Our client is a non-profit organization that aims to promote trade, commerce and investment
between the USA and Kenya. The organization was founded in 2005 by American investors in Kenya
and offers membership to American companies, multinationals, as well as local companies that have
strong business ties with the United States based companies. The organization’s keys objectives
include;

Promoting trade, commerce and investment between the USA and Kenya.

Providing a forum in which American Business people and other relevant business people in
Kenya can identify and discuss common areas regarding their commercial interests in Kenya.

Creation of solid position points in order to aggressively advocate for members' issues to the
Kenyan government.

Promoting a vibrant economy, while protecting and advancing the interests of our members,
and the community as a whole.

Maintaining close relationships with the US Department of Commerce and US Embassy in Kenya
in their roles in promoting America trade and investment in Kenya.
Job Summary
The CEO in partnership with the Board, is responsible for the success of the organization. Together,
the Board and CEO will assure the organization’s relevance to the business community, the
accomplishment of the organization’s mission and vision, and the accountability to its members.
The Board delegates responsibility for management and day-to-day operations to the CEO, and
he/she has the authority to carry out these responsibilities, in accordance with the direction and
policies established by the Board. The CEO provides direction and enabling to the Board as it carries
out its governance functions.
In addition, The CEO shall establish and lead the organization initiative by providing leadership,
strategic vision and overall direction to the organization, through identification, evaluation and
development of new lines of business and strategic trade, investment and economic opportunities
for American businesses, including Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya. The CEO shall also
provide a high-level of integrity and business judgment in steering the organization to achieve its
short term and long term performance targets, and be fully accountable for the revenue and targets
as a whole.
Responsibilities
1. Legal compliance
a) Assures the filing of all legal and regulatory documents concerned with the organization,
and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
2. Mission, policy and planning
a) Helps the Board determine the organization’s values, mission, vision, and short- and
long-term goals.
b) Helps the Board monitor and evaluate the organization’s relevancy to the business
community, its effectiveness, and its results.
c) Keeps the Board fully informed on the condition of the organization, and on all the
important factors influencing it.
• Identifies problems and opportunities and addresses them; brings those which
are appropriate to the Board and/or its committees; and, facilitates discussion
and deliberation.
• Informs the Board and its committees about trends, issues, problems and
activities in order to facilitate policy-making. Recommends policy positions.
3. Management and administration
a) Provides general oversight of all the organization’s activities, manages the day-to-day
operations, and assures a smoothly functioning, efficient organisation.
b) Assures program quality and organisational stability through development and
implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures, and regular
evaluation.
c) Assures a positive and productive work environment that recruits, retains and supports
quality staff and volunteers. Assures process for selection, development, motivation,
and regular/comprehensive evaluation of staff and volunteers.
d) Recommends staffing and financing to the Board of Directors. In accordance with Board
action, recruits personnel, negotiates professional contracts, and sees that appropriate
salary structures are developed and maintained.
e) In conjunction with the Coordinator of Economic Development, develops an
understanding of the current performance of industry sectors within the municipality,
future trends and issues, make recommendations on strategies the organisation may
introduce and implement these as agreed.
f)
Specifies accountabilities for management personnel (whether paid or volunteer) and
evaluates performance regularly.
4. Governance
a) Helps the Board articulate its own role and accountabilities, and helps evaluate
performance regularly.
b) Works with the Board President and Vice President to enable the Board to fulfil its
governance functions and facilitates the optimum performance by the Board.
c) With the Board President and Vice President, focuses Board attention on long-range
strategic issues.
d) Manages the Board’s due diligence process to assure timely attention to core issues.
e) Works with the Board to get the best thinking and involvement of each Board member,
and to stimulate each Board member to give his or her best.
f) Recommends volunteers to participate in the Board and its committees.
g) Provides monthly status reports to the Board, identifying key issues and
accomplishments.
5. Financing
a) Promotes programmes and services that are produced in a cost-effective manner,
employing economy while maintaining an acceptable level of quality.
b) Oversees the fiscal activities of the organisation including budgeting, reporting and
audit.
c) Works with Board to ensure financing to support short and long-term goals.
d) Assures an effective fund development programme with the Board:
• Helps guide and enable the Board, to participate actively in the fund development
process.
• Helps the Board implement and monitor a viable fundraising plan, policies and
procedures.
• Participates actively in identifying, cultivating and soliciting new members.
• Assures the availability of materials to support solicitation.
• Assures the development and operation of reports for quality decision-making.
6. Community relations
a) Facilitates the integration of the organization into the fabric of the business community
by using effective marketing and communications activities.
b) Acts as an advocate within the public and private sectors for issues relevant to the
organization and its services.
c) Listens to members in order to improve services and generate business community
involvement. Assures members’ awareness of the organization’s response to members’
needs.
d) Serves as chief spokesperson for the organization when required and as directed by the
Board of Directors, assuring proper representation to members and the community at
large.
e) Initiates, develops, and maintains cooperative relationships with key constituencies,
including diplomatic missions, particularly the Embassy of the United States.
f) Works with the Kenyan government and relevant associations to promote legislative and
regulatory policies which address the issues of the organization’s members.
g) Answer business enquiries, follow up provision of information requests, complaints or
identified problems promptly and accurately.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

This is a high-stress position based on full responsibility for the organization’s operations.
Handles detailed, complex concepts and problems, balances multiple tasks simultaneously, and
makes rapid decisions regarding administrative issues.

Plans and implements programmes. Establishes strong, constructive and appropriate
relationships with Board, committees, government bodies, relevant and outside
organisations, members, staff, vendors and volunteers.

Plans and meets deadlines. Maintains a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of
executive management. Hours may be long and irregular.

Conveys a professional and positive image and attitude regarding the organization.
Demonstrates commitment to continued professional growth and development. Welldeveloped skills in leadership, managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising one’s
own work to achieve specific objectives and to meet required deadlines.

Ability to facilitate committees and forums, develop networks, undertake consultation,
present on behalf of Council, facilitate sponsorship and build strong working relationships
with stakeholders.
To Apply
Please visit our job board on our website www.preferredpersonnel.co.ke or click on the link
below:
http://www.teamiq.com/PreferredPersonnel/2574
Terms of Reference
POSITION: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)
PURPOSE
The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is the senior management officer. The CEO serves as the leader
of, and maintains an effective and cohesive team; sets the tone for the organization by exemplifying
consistent values of high ethical standards and fairness; leads the organization in defining its vision
and growth opportunities; is the main spokesperson for the organization; and bears the chief
responsibility in making day-to-day decisions and ensuring the organization meets its strategic
objectives to enhance the revenues, in addition to establishing it as a centre of knowledge, influence
and networking. The CEO works with and is accountable to the Board of Directors with due regard to
the Board’s requirement to be informed and to be independent.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Executive Officer shall:
A.
Lead and manage staff within the guidelines developed and approved in conjunction with
the Board;
B.
Regularly report to the Board progress with achieving the Board’s objectives, and to
forthwith advise the Board of any matter which could have a substantial impact on the
organization;
C.
Recommend to the Board strategic directions for the business and consistently strive to
achieve the corresponding strategic, business and operational goals and objectives;
D.
Authorized to make day-to-day decisions and monitor the activities of the organization in a
manner that ensures that the decisions are safeguarded and optimized in the best interests
of all the members;
E.
Develop and implement operational policies to guide the organization within any limits
prescribed by the organization’s Constitution.
F.
Develop the corporate objectives, for approval by the Board, for which the CEO is
responsible for implementation;
G.
Identify the principal risks of the business and ensure the implementation of appropriate
systems to manage these risks. The CEO shall be authorised to take reasonable measures to
protect the organization from known or foreseeable risks ;
H.
J.
Maintain a positive work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining and motivating a
diverse group of top quality members at all levels;
Develop and maintain an annual Board-approved plan for the development and success of
the organization;
Manage and oversee the required interfaces between the organization and the public;
K.
Serve as the chief spokesperson for the organization;
L.
Ensure there is an effective communications policy for the organization;
M.
Ensure that appropriate personnel and systems are in place for the integrity and adequacy
of the organization’s internal control, disclosure control and management information
systems;
N.
Meet quarterly with the Board to review material issues, and to ensure that the Board is
provided in a timely manner with all information and access to the management necessary,
to permit the Board to fulfill statutory and other obligations.
O.
Conduct an annual review of staff performance.
I.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REVIEW PROCESS
THE CEO’s SELF-APPRAISAL
A.
The Compensation Committee is best equipped to undertake assessment of the CEO’s
performance if it knows how the CEO evaluates her performance against the agreed upon
objectives of the previous year and what she sees as the goals and priorities for the coming
year.
B.
The CEO completes a self-appraisal in written form and submits it to the Board.
C.
The self-appraisal is discussed by the CEO with the Board regarding the CEO’s performance
for the year.
ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
The following should be considered during completion of the self-appraisal by the CEO and during
the review process by the Board:
A.
The statement of goals and primary objectives for the year under review which was
previously established by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors;
B.
The financial achievements of the Corporation for the previous year; and
C.
The Board-approved Terms of Reference for the CEO.
TIMING AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The attached schedule provides a planning guide for the CEO review process.
Activity
Who
CEO develops a set of goals and
objectives which are approved by the
Board
CEO and Board
When
4TH Quarter
CEO writes self-appraisal and submits to
CEO
the Board
4th Quarter
CEO discusses self-appraisal with the
Board
4th Quarter
CEO and Board
Board members submit their written
assessments of the CEO
Board
Input from the Board is summarized
Board
4th Quarter
4th Quarter
Consolidated input is discussed with the
Board members and then finalized
President and
Board
4th Quarter
The final evaluation is discussed with
the CEO by the President and Vice
President
CEO, President and Vice
President
1st Quarter