Executive Assistant at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare written responses to incoming correspondence for the executive¿s approval and signature;
• Handle all incoming calls effectively and efficiently;
• Eloquently express the executive¿s requirements/instructions to other staff members;
• Manage internal and external events, local and overseas travel arrangements under broad direction of the executive;
• Coordinate and manage the executive¿s diary effectively ensuring that her time is used effectively and she is briefed appropriately regarding the agenda for meetings. This includes sourcing background information from previous meetings;
• Follow up on actions emanating from meetings on behalf of the executive;
• Structure agendas and take minutes at meetings with minimum guidance from the executive;
• Type, format/edit documents and prepare presentations;
• Prioritize outputs according to the executive¿s needs;
• Provide administrative support to Operations and Project Management team on an ad hoc basis; 
• Arrange Management team meetings and internal and/ or external stakeholder meetings as directed by the Executive Manager;
• Prepare and reconcile subsistence and travel claims.
• Purchase necessities for the office.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A diploma /advanced certificate in secretarial or administration and or relevant diploma with at least five years working experience as a Personal Assistant to a Senior Manager or Executive;
• Proficient in MS Office Suite;
• Solid procurement and travel management;
• Office administration and coordination, including customer care and excellent client liaison;

Closing date: 28 April 2026

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent numerical skills;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).