Abuja, Nigeria
The Kukah Centre, a leading policy, research, and governance institution based in Abuja, invites applications from highly experienced and principled professionals for the position of Deputy Director (Administration).
This is a senior leadership role responsible for working with the Executive Director to provide strategic operational support across Finance, HR, Administration, Procurement, and Logistics functions and to report directly to the Executive Director. The successful candidate will support the Executive Director in driving institutional execution, strengthening governance and compliance systems, and ensuring high standards of operational excellence. The role also serves as Secretary to the Board, supporting effective governance coordination and Board administration.
See job details and application method below:
Reporting Line
Reports To:
- Executive Director (Solid Line)
- Board Chair (Dotted Line – Governance Matters)
Supervises
Supports the Executive Director to supervise Finance, Administration, Human Resources, Procurement, Logistics, and other designated institutional support functions.
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
1. Role Purpose
Working with the Executive Director, the Deputy Director (Administration) provides senior-level operational and governance leadership to ensure the efficient, compliant, and accountable management of The Kukah Centre’s administrative and institutional support functions.
The role translates Board-approved strategies and Executive Director directives into executable operational frameworks, systems, and performance plans. The Deputy Director assists the Executive Director to ensure institutional alignment, regulatory compliance, financial and administrative integrity, and high-performance support systems that enable programme excellence.
The role also serves as Secretary to the Board, ensuring effective governance coordination, Board administration, compliance documentation, and structured communication between Management and the Board.
This position is focused on institutional execution, operational excellence, governance compliance, and systems integration.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Strategic Implementation & Executive Support
- In consultation with the Executive Director, translates approved institutional strategies and transformation frameworks into operational execution plans.
- Supports the Executive Director to oversee implementation of strategic initiatives across administrative and support functions.
- Develops institutional performance dashboards and provide periodic operational reports to the Executive Director.
- Deputises for the Executive Director in stakeholder and institutional engagements as assigned.
- In consultation with the Executive Director, coordinates preparation of Board papers, operational briefings, and institutional performance reports.
- Ensure alignment between strategic priorities and operational resource allocation and reports to the Executive Director and Board.
B. Secretary to the Board (Governance Administration)
- Serve as Secretary to the Board, ensuring effective governance administration and compliance.
- Coordinates Board and Committee meetings, including agenda development in consultation with the Board Chair and Executive Director.
- Ensure timely circulation of Board papers and meeting documentation.
- Accurately record and maintain minutes of Board and Committee meetings.
- In consultation with the Executive Director, tracks Board resolutions and ensure follow-up implementation by Management.
- Maintain statutory registers, governance records, and institutional compliance documentation.
- Provide governance advisory support to Management on Board protocols and reporting obligations.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory filing requirements and governance best practices.
C. Institutional Operations & Administration
- Supports the Executive Director to provide oversight of Finance, HR, Administration, Procurement, and Logistics functions.
- Assists the Executive Director to ensure effective coordination between programme units and support services.
- Drive operational performance standards and monitor service delivery effectiveness.
- Strengthen workflow efficiency and internal service-level accountability.
- Ensure timely and accurate institutional reporting systems.
- Support the HR unit to promote a culture of execution discipline and cross-functional collaboration.
D. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
- Assist the Executive Director to ensure adherence to donor requirements, audit standards, and statutory regulations.
- In consultation with the Executive Director, oversee implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.
- Maintain and periodically review institutional policies, SOPs, and governance frameworks.
- Support enterprise risk assessment and mitigation planning.
- Support the Executive Director to strengthen internal control systems and accountability mechanisms.
- Assist the Executive Director to monitor compliance across departments and escalate risk exposures appropriately.
E. Systems Strengthening & Process Optimisation
- Work with the HR Unit to oversee internal process reviews and recommend operational improvements.
- Work with the ICT officer to champion digitalisation and automation initiatives across administrative functions.
- In consultation with the Executive Director and the Programme Management Office, oversee the implementation of approved digital transformation projects.
- Support the Programme Management Office to institutionalise the use of operational dashboards and performance monitoring tools.
- Work with the ICT unit to promote data-driven decision-making across support units.
F. Institutional Growth & Sustainability Support
- In consultation with the Executive Director, work with the Programme Management Office to provide operational oversight for emerging initiatives and new programme areas.
- In consultation with the Programme Management Office, support the development of operational systems for partnership management and programme delivery.
- Work with the Programme Management Office to collaborate with strategic advisers and consultants on institutional growth and transformation initiatives.
- Work with the Executive Director to ensure operational readiness for expansion, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships.
3. Person Specification
Education
- A first degree in any of the Social Sciences, Humanities, Management Sciences, Law etc.
- Master’s degree in public administration, Business Administration, Management, Development Studies, or related discipline.
- Professional certification in Governance, Administration, HR, Finance, Compliance, or Project Management is an advantage.
- Membership of a recognized professional body is desirable.
Experience
- Minimum of 12–15 years post-qualification experience.
- Strong administrative and operational leadership experience within the public sector, development institutions, or reputable NGOs.
- Demonstrated experience managing governance frameworks, compliance systems, and institutional controls.
- Proven experience supporting Boards and senior leadership teams.
- Prior experience in a senior management or deputy leadership role is highly desirable.
- Experience serving as Board Secretary or in governance administration is an advantage.
4. Core Competencies
- Strong operational and administrative leadership
- Governance and compliance expertise
- Board administration and institutional reporting capability
- High-level organisational and coordination skills
- Strategic execution and systems integration ability
- Strong analytical and reporting skills
- Digital literacy and process automation orientation
- Discretion, integrity, and sound judgment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
5. Personal Attributes
- Mature and composed under pressure
- High execution discipline and attention to detail
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Strong ethical standards and institutional loyalty
- Professional presence suitable for Board-level engagements
- Politically aware and diplomatically astute
How to apply:
Qualified and interested candidates (only) should fill their updated Application Letter and Resume in PDF format in one document on the link: LINK
NOTE: The Kukah Centre is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering inclusive leadership and gender balance at senior levels.
