Administrator- Innovation

Role Overview

This position anchors the day-to-day operations of Strathmore University’s innovation team, turning research ideas into structured, compliant, and well-documented projects. You will manage a small administrative unit, coordinate workflows across researchers and external partners, and safeguard the quality and security of research records from intake to final reporting. By keeping processes aligned with university policy and external regulations, you enable the team to focus on discovery and impact rather than paperwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and guide the innovation team’s administrative staff, assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and building a reliable support structure for ongoing projects.
• Own the full data lifecycle for research initiatives, including version control, secure storage, access permissions, and confidentiality protocols.
• Produce and deliver periodic reports on research progress, milestones, and outcomes for internal leadership and external stakeholders.
• Maintain central documentation systems, ensuring every project has complete records for audits, grant reviews, and institutional reporting.
• Champion the use of university-mandated platforms, including the Research Management System and digital repositories, so all outputs are captured and discoverable.
• Act as a liaison between faculty, department heads, and external collaborators, removing administrative roadblocks and keeping project timelines on track.
• Support the rollout of ethics and compliance initiatives, helping researchers navigate approval processes and adhere to best practices.
• Assist in preparing and monitoring the research office’s administrative budget, tracking expenditures and contributing to financial planning.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management, research management, or a related discipline.
• At least 1–3 years of hands-on experience in research administration, innovation management, or a comparable university or institutional setting.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing a team or coordinating multiple stakeholders within a project environment.
• Strong working knowledge of data management principles, including data integrity, privacy, and secure record-keeping practices.
• Familiarity with research lifecycle processes, compliance requirements, and reporting platforms commonly used in higher education.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research activities into clear reports for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and comfort adopting new digital tools and institutional information systems.
• Organised, detail-oriented, and capable of handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.