Kenya Airways, the Pride of Africa, is a reputable national airline and a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Operating from its modern hub at Terminal 1A of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, the airline connects Africa to the world with a network spanning 41 global destinations—34 of which are located on the African continent. Each year, Kenya Airways proudly carries over four million passengers, and has cemented its reputation as one of the continent’s premier carriers, evidenced by the multiple accolades it has received over the years, including Africa’s Leading Airline in 2020 from the World Travel Awards.
Beyond passenger services, Kenya Airways has developed a robust cargo division that serves critical logistics needs across the globe. The Cargo business is vital to the airline’s operations, with services extending to key international locations such as London, Amsterdam, Guangzhou, Sharjah, and Mumbai. Additionally, the airline operates on more than 25 intra-Africa routes, positioning itself as a central player in regional trade and freight movement.
In line with its commitment to excellence, Kenya Airways seeks to enhance its Cargo division by recruiting a highly competent and motivated professional to fill the position of Personal Assistant – Cargo. This role will directly support the Cargo Director by ensuring the efficient operation of the office and enabling smooth coordination across internal and external engagements.
Position: Personal Assistant – Cargo
Job Description
The Personal Assistant – Cargo will serve as the primary support staff for the Director of Cargo, operating as the first point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders. The role encompasses a wide array of executive and administrative responsibilities, aimed at ensuring the seamless day-to-day management of the Cargo Director’s office. The selected candidate will play an integral role in supporting the strategic leadership of the cargo unit by managing schedules, communications, logistics, and special assignments, all while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Confidential Information Management
- Safeguard all documents and files within the Cargo Director’s office by maintaining strict confidentiality.
- Ensure records are accurately maintained and updated to support efficient retrieval and secure information handling.
- Calendar and Schedule Coordination
- Maintain and manage the Director’s calendar.
- Organize and schedule internal and external meetings, appointments, and events.
- Ensure timely reminders for key meetings and deadlines to optimize time management.
- Communication Management
- Serve as the liaison between the Director and a wide array of stakeholders, including senior executives, government officials, and external partners.
- Manage incoming correspondence including emails, letters, and phone calls, ensuring proper redirection or timely responses.
- Facilitate clear and professional communication on behalf of the Director.
- Travel Coordination
- Arrange all domestic and international travel for the Director, covering flight bookings, accommodations, transportation logistics, and visa processing.
- Develop detailed travel itineraries and ensure all travel documentation is in order.
- Meeting Preparation and Documentation
- Prepare agendas, reports, memos, and presentation materials for meetings led by the Director.
- Attend meetings where necessary, take detailed minutes, and track follow-up action items to completion.
- Record and File Management
- Systematically organize and maintain documents and records related to the Cargo division.
- Support document preparation for board presentations, reports, and strategic documents.
- Budget Oversight and Cost Control
- Develop and monitor the administrative budget for the Cargo Director’s office.
- Ensure that all expenses are tracked and managed within the allocated budget.
- Lead cost-control efforts to enhance efficiency and financial accountability.
- Project and Event Support
- Provide assistance on ad-hoc projects, research tasks, staff forums, and strategic initiatives.
- Support internal events and engagements related to the Cargo division.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Issue Resolution
- Act as the key contact for resolving complaints, queries, or issues raised by both internal departments and external partners or suppliers.
- Foster effective collaboration across various departments to streamline issue resolution.
Core Competencies and Skills
To be successful in this role, the Personal Assistant – Cargo must demonstrate the following attributes:
- Exceptional attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy in all undertakings.
- Advanced organizational and multitasking skills to manage multiple high-priority activities concurrently.
- Discretion and reliability in handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Ability to remain composed under pressure and adjust to dynamic priorities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to maintain professional correspondence and articulate organizational needs.
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment.
- A high level of trustworthiness, loyalty, and professionalism in representing the Cargo Director’s office.
- Cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence when interacting with diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated team player with excellent interpersonal skills to support collaboration across all levels.
Position Impact and Strategic Importance
This position offers an opportunity for a professional who thrives in high-level executive support roles to become deeply involved in the operations of one of Kenya Airways’ most important business units. The successful candidate will be pivotal in streamlining administrative functions, enabling the Cargo Director to focus on leadership priorities and cargo strategy development.
The role also provides a unique window into the operations of a globally connected airline’s cargo business, offering unmatched exposure to decision-making processes, intercontinental logistics, and international stakeholder engagement. It is a perfect match for a driven, detail-oriented professional seeking to contribute to an innovative and fast-paced corporate environment.
Work Environment and Culture
Kenya Airways prides itself on its professional, multicultural, and inclusive work culture. Employees are encouraged to embody the values of teamwork, integrity, customer focus, and innovation. The airline supports career growth and continuous learning while providing a platform for talented individuals to impact the future of African aviation.
As the airline continues to evolve and modernize, including with one of Africa’s youngest fleets such as the cutting-edge B787 Dreamliner, employees at all levels are empowered to align with the company’s mission of connecting Africa to the world.
How to Apply
If you believe you are a suitable candidate for the position of Personal Assistant – Cargo and meet the outlined responsibilities and skill requirements, we encourage you to take the next step in your career journey with Kenya Airways.
