Chief of Staff

Company Description Songo Design & Build PLC is a design-and-build company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, offering an integrated approach that combines design, costing, and construction within a single contract and team. The company emphasizes accountability and clarity, providing one responsible party from the initial sketch through a twelve-month post-handover visit. Projects follow a structured, 21-stage program, each with a signed gate to document progress, quality, and decisions. Songo delivers finishing to shop-drawing standards, ensuring all materials and samples are approved before use, and manages the specification, sourcing, and clearance of imported finishing materials in-house. Guided by the ethos “Imagination, engineered,” the company values collaborative decision-making and thorough project execution. Role Description The Chief of Staff role at Songo Design & Build PLC is a full-time, on-site position based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Chief of Staff will support the executive leadership by coordinating strategic initiatives, tracking key projects, and ensuring alignment between design, cost, and construction teams. This role involves structuring and facilitating leadership meetings, preparing briefings and reports, managing follow-ups on decisions, and maintaining clear communication across departments. The Chief of Staff will help improve internal processes, monitor performance against company milestones, and proactively identify risks or bottlenecks in the project pipeline. The role also includes building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, supporting resource planning, and acting as a trusted advisor to leadership to keep priorities on schedule and on budget. Qualifications Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills to work effectively across design, engineering, construction, and finance teams. Analytical and problem-solving abilities, including experience with data-driven decision-making, performance tracking, and process improvement. Leadership and people-management capabilities, including facilitating meetings, guiding cross-functional work, and supporting change management. Experience in construction, architecture, engineering, or real estate development is highly beneficial; familiarity with design-and-build delivery models is a plus. Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, architecture, or a related field; an advanced degree (e.g., MBA) is an advantage. High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential information and sensitive decisions. Comfort working on-site in Addis Ababa and engaging directly with project teams, clients, and partners. Experiance General experience : 6 years, 3 of them in a construction, engineering or property company Specific experience: At least 4 years as executive or personal assistant to a chief executive, general manager or director, preferably in construction, engineering or professional services Evidence required : Two references from executives served; a sample of minutes and a formatted letter; employment certificates with dates