Hospitality Coordinator III

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Hospitality Coordinator III to coordinate hospitality operations at the ILRI Kenya campus, including conferencing, events, accommodation, recreation and guest services, while ensuring service excellence, optimal facility utilization, revenue growth, client satisfaction, and effective stakeholder engagement.

ILRI is an international organisation working for better lives and better planet through livestock. ILRI’s mission emphasises the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that supports equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing to food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. This mission is delivered through two core strategic objectives: co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based livestock solutions, and leveraging science to inform and influence policy and investment decisions.

ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate events, seminars, conferences and meetings and support hosted institutions activities, including venue booking, logistics, technical support, caterer coordination and guest services
• Coordinate visitor programmes for individuals and groups, including preparation of information packages, accommodation, meeting room allocations, catering arrangements and campus support services
• Maintain and regularly update the Kenya events calendar and Google calendar to ensure accurate scheduling and visibility of all hospitality-related activities
• Liaise with internal service units such as Supply Chain, Transport, Liaison and Protocol, Security, ICT, CAKM, Engineering and outsourced Catering to ensure seamless planning and delivery of events and visitor programmes in alignment with the required standards
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to anticipate service needs and enhance client experience and revenue opportunities
• Lead daily pre-function and operational briefings with hospitality staff to review upcoming events, service requirements and operational risks
• Monitor service delivery, resolve operational issues, respond to emergencies and ensure activities are implemented according to approved plans
• Oversee hotel and conferencing front office desks, housekeeping, campus housing maintenance coordination, use of recreational facilities and overall guest services to ensure efficient, high quality and client-centric services
• Supervise hospitality staff and contribute to the performance review of the Director General’s domestic staff
• Apply effective reservation and inventory control practices to optimize facility utilization, occupancy and events revenue
• Undertake targeted client engagement and business development activities (internal and approved external clients), in consultation with the Head of Operations, to promote hospitality services within the scope of the established institutional campus guidelines
• Maintain accurate records of bookings, revenue, expenditures, client feedback, declined business, advance bookings and occupancy forecasts
• Verify contracted-service provider invoices and prepare periodic or monthly reports for review and approval
• Ensure compliance with ILRI policies on credit, billing and revenue-collection
• Provide regular updates and reports to the Head of Operations on key developments, risks, client feedback, revenue performance and service-delivery issues
• Perform any other related duties as may be assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in hotel and catering management, hospitality management, business administration, or a related field
• Relevant professional certification
• Seven years’ relevant experience in hospitality, conferencing, guest services, hotel/accommodation, events management or related operations
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and networking abilities
• Self-starter, able to work independently against agreed priorities and deliverables
• Customer-service orientation with a focus on delivering high-quality service experiences
• Good planning and coordination skills, with attention to detail
• Proficiency in revenue tracking and records management
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability
• Proficiency in the use of digital systems/tools for bookings, calendar management and reporting

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG15 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Head of People and Culture submitted through our recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 22 June 2026. The position title and reference number REF: HC /06/2026 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/

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