Job advertisement for the position of executive secretary
Executive Secretary
The Inter-University Council for East Africa invites applications from highly qualified, visionary Ugandan nationals to provide strategic leadership during a transformative period for higher education in East Africa.
Background Information
The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is a strategic institution of the East African Community (EAC) mandated to coordinate human resource development and research among higher education institutions in the region. In accordance with the IUCEA Act, 2009, and the relevant EAC Protocols, IUCEA advises Partner States on matters relating to higher education and contributes to the achievement of national and regional development priorities.
The Council promotes quality higher education by developing quality assurance frameworks that ensure teaching, learning, and research meet international standards. It also supports member universities in adopting and implementing best practices in institutional management and resource utilization, strengthens human resource capacity across all disciplines of higher education, and promotes equitable access to higher education opportunities for all East Africans, including persons with special needs. These objectives are implemented through a range of programmes and initiatives undertaken by the Council.
Strategic Priorities 2026–2031
The IUCEA Strategic Plan 2026–2031, approved by the Governing Body on 28 July 2026 in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya, is currently under implementation and introduces a transformative paradigm shift centered on five strategic priority areas:
Industrial Skills Ecosystem
Scaling up Centers of Excellence (CoEs) and promoting competence-based education and training to support the EAC's manufacturing and service sectors.
Technology Integration and AI Governance
Operationalizing the Regional Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) and establishing ethical artificial intelligence frameworks to modernize teaching, learning, research, and institutional management.
Knowledge Economy and Innovation
Enhancing regional research output, fostering innovation, and promoting the commercialization of university-generated intellectual property.
Inclusive Mobility
Strengthening the EAC's “Borderless Campus” agenda through harmonized tuition frameworks, credit transfer systems, and alternative pathways for refugees and other marginalized learners.
Institutional Resilience and Sustainability
Reducing dependence on external grant funding through the development and implementation of a sustainable resource mobilization framework.
To drive this agenda and provide strategic leadership for the Council during this transformative period, IUCEA seeks to recruit a highly qualified and visionary Executive Secretary to lead the institution in realizing its mandate and strategic objectives.
Rotational appointment: In accordance with the East African Community rotational arrangement for this position among Partner States, the next Executive Secretary shall be appointed from the Republic of Uganda. Applications are therefore invited from suitably qualified Ugandan nationals.
Role purpose: The Executive Secretary will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of IUCEA and will provide strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of the Council's operations and programmes. The successful candidate will ensure effective implementation of IUCEA's mandate as determined from time to time by the IUCEA Act 2009, the Protocol, the East African Community, Partner States, and Member Universities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Promote the objectives of higher education in the Community, in particular, the development of human resources, knowledge and innovations to sustain EAC economies;
- Promote the objective of the Common Higher Education Area in the Community.
- Advise Partner States and other stakeholders in the region on appropriate strategies for adequate investment in higher education;
- Coordinate strategic planning, managing and monitoring, and implementing strategic programs for the achievement of the IUCEA objectives;
- Mobilize funds from development partners and from other sources to facilitate implementation of projects of the institution for the strategic development of higher education and research in the Community;
- Provide effective leadership for the achievement of the institution’s objectives;
- Initiate the development of strategic policies for promoting the development of higher education and research in the Community and ensuring the effective management of the same;
- Supervise and ensure timely preparation and submission of annual budgets to the Governing Board and EAC Secretariat for subsequent submission to the Partner States and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA);
- Ensure effective budgetary oversight and control of the utilization of all resources of the Institution;
- Be responsible for overall Administrative and financial management of the Institution;
- Promote and disseminate Information of the Community to higher education stakeholders, the public and the international community;
- Establish strategic and productive linkages and partnerships with local and international institutions;
- Ensure periodic and regular reporting on the performance of the institution to the Governing Board, the Sectoral Council, the Council of Ministers and other stakeholders;
- Ensure development of comprehensive electronic network linking member universities;
- Ensure sound custody and utilization of all institutional assets and properties;
- Oversee the development and implementation of the procurement policies, plans, and processes for IUCEA;
- S/He is responsible for implementation of decisions and directives made by the Policy Organs of the Community; and
- Perform any other duties assigned from time to time.
Minimum Job Requirements
Ugandan National
Must be a national of the Republic of Uganda.
Advanced University Degree
Must have an Advanced University Degree—a PhD degree.
Minimum 15 Years
Minimum 15 years’ work experience in university teaching, research, management, and outreach service, 5 years of which should have been at the rank of Deputy Vice Chancellor/Vice Rector or an equivalent portfolio.
Not More Than 55 Years
Applicants must be no more than 55 years old, as the EAC retirement age is 60 years.
Strategic and Institutional Leadership
Must have strong strategic planning abilities, proficiency in budget management and oversight, experience with policy development and implementation, excellent leadership and motivational skills, strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, high-level negotiation and conflict resolution skills, effective communication and presentation skills, be a team player with good interpersonal relationships, and have the ability to network effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Tenure and Remuneration
As per the IUCEA Act 2009, the successful applicant shall serve for one non-renewable term of five (5) years.
A comprehensive remuneration package commensurate with the Diplomatic status will be offered to the suitable candidate.
Application Procedure
The application must contain the following:
Cover letter;
A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
Contact details of three referees, including email addresses and telephone numbers, one of whom should be the applicant's current employer or immediate supervisor;
Certified copies of academic and professional certificates;
Certified copies of a valid passport and national identification document as proof of nationality; and
Any other relevant supporting documents.
Email submission: Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications electronically to recruit@iucea.org with a copy to exsec@iucea.org . Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT) on 26 October 2026 .
Required subject/marking: “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY – IUCEA”
The Chairperson
Executive Committee
Inter-University Council for East Africa
Plot M833, Kigobe Road, Kyambogo
P.O. Box 7110
Kampala, Uganda.
Apply for the Position
Submit your complete application by email before 5:00 p.m. EAT on 26 October 2026. Remember to copy the Executive Secretary’s office and use the required application subject.
Email Your ApplicationIUCEA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.