Executive Head Of Department - Fleet, Facilities And Property Management

At Safaricom Ethiopia, we are a purpose-led technology company dedicated to transforming lives through digital connectivity and inclusive financial services. In under four years, we have grown to serve over 10 million customers, with our network now reaching 55% of Ethiopia’s population – a testament to our bold vision and trusted partnerships.

Guided by core values such as customer obsession, innovation, integrity, and getting it done together, we are building a workplace that is dynamic, inclusive, and empowering. We believe our greatest strength lies in our people. That’s why, for two consecutive years, we have proudly get earned the Top Employer Award – in recognition for our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and inclusive environment to people.

Join Safaricom Ethiopia and be part of a team that is shaping the digital future of Ethiopia. Here, your work has meaning, your voice matters, and your growth is our priority. Together, we are transforming lives for a digital future.

Role purpose:

Provide strategic leadership in property, facilities, and fleet management to ensure cost minimization, operational efficiency, and compliance with standards. Delivery value for money while maintaining quality, safety, and sustainability across companywide operations.

Key Accountabilities and Decision Ownership:

Fleet Operations

• Provide strategic leadership for the Fleet Operations Department, ensuring organizational motor vehicle fleet safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Establish and enforce Fleet Safety Standards and Defensive Driving policies to proactively reduce accidents and vehicle-related incidents across all operations.
• Direct end-to-end fleet management, including vehicle acquisition, preventive maintenance, telematics integration, dispatch, and disposal, is aligned with cost-efficiency and sustainability goals. Drive intra- and inter-organizational partnerships to develop health and wellness capabilities.
• Leverage telematics and predictive analytics to monitor driver performance, optimize fuel consumption, and mitigate operational risks.
• Lead investigations of fleet-related incidents, applying root cause analysis and implementing corrective measures to prevent recurrence
• Develop fleet strategy and policies, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, compliance requirements, and continuous improvement in service delivery
• Oversee vendor and supplier management for fleet services, including contract negotiations, SLA enforcement, and performance monitoring.
• Champion a culture of safety and accountability, ensuring all staff and drivers adhere to organizational standards and legal requirements.

Project Management Role

• Reviewing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities for all company projects.
• Review tender & contract documents prepared by consultants
• Perform verification of quotations with respect to scope/quantities/costs and undertake site measurements
• Perform an audit for construction works to achieve cost savings and guard against unjustified contractual claims
• Perform verification of variation orders with respect to scope/quantities/costs and undertake site measurements/audit to ensure proper execution of the variation orders
• Provide budget monitoring services with the input of site audits and provide analysis of budget overruns and underspends for Facilities projects
• Perform risk, value management and cost control
• Provide post-project review and life cycle costing advice

Space (office and technical) Management

• Oversee the effective utilization of space within all facilities, MSRs and Data Centers.
• Forecasting space requirements and input in budget cycles
• Ensure that space design is cost-effective and supports employees’ performance
• Design, dimension & actualize agreed standards for space planning as per business requirements for all facilities.
• Implement best standards in office kitting/fit-out to ensure quality and standardization

Property and Estates Management

• Lead role in property acquisitions.
• End-to-end lease management for all facilities.
• Estates management for retail shops and seconded housing.
• Steward the property tripartite (Company, Landlord, Facilities) maintenance committee

Vendor Management

• Oversee the management of all vendors related to Facilities who provide services to STEP.
• Quantity Surveying role
• Offer quantity surveying oversight on facilities’ maintenance
• Offering advice on procurement
• strategies identifying, analyzing, and developing responses to commercial risks

People Management

• Overseeing end-to-end support on the company operations which includes Property Management & Maintenance, Travel & Accommodation, Residentials for expatriates, fleet management and soft facilities
• Overseeing document archiving management for cross-functional teams.
• Management of Utilities for all STEP Facilities including offices and all retail shops

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:

• Experience in managing cross-functional teams.
• Proficient in leveraging H&S and Fleet telematics dashboards to predict trends, identify hotspots, and allocate resources effectively.
• Strong understanding of the Safaricom Business operations and large-scale Fleet operations.
• Fully proficient in Project Management software applications and MS Office suite
• Have the proven ability to work and deliver under heavy pressure, pay attention to detail and follow up on issues until they are resolved;
• Knowledge of current building and construction technology, processes, materials and legal matters
• Strong numeracy and financial management skills
• Focused individuals who possess excellent analytical skills, are dynamic, innovative and creative;
• Excellent communication skills i.e., ability to write clear and precise reports, and to relay complex information in a simple way to a diverse range of people.
• Has the speed to execute and turn around issues for the positive.

Financial Responsibility:

• In charge of an estimated annual Budget of ETB 425m:
• Opex Kshs 150million
• ETB 140M: Fleet Operations (Capex & OPEX)
• Capex as per the assigned project
• 2 office blocks (1000 employees)
• 5 retail shops (50 employees)
• Warehouse (5 employees)
• Data Centers (2)
• Residencies

Key performance indicators:

• Project delivery (cost, time and quality)
• Delivery of fleet strategy milestones in line with corporate objectives and budget cycles.
• SLA compliance rates and vendor scorecard results for fleet service providers.
• Reduction in fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and overall fleet operating expenses through telematics and predictive analytics.
• Efficiency and effectiveness of Fleet operations Management Systems
• Value arising from post-project implementation review and life cycle costing advice
• Space utilization/reliability.
• Space fit-out and kitting in line with budgetary guidelines.
• End-to-end Lease administration

Direct reports:

• 1X Property, Facilities and Maintenance Manager
• 1XFleet Operations Manager

Dotted reports:

• 1xFleet Coordinator
• 1xFacility Lead
• 1X Facility maintenance coordinator
• 1x Travel and Accommodation Manager

Must have Technical/Professional Qualifications:

• First degree in Architecture/ Land & Building Economics/ Quantity Surveying/ Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in project and property management
• Professional Certificates in Fleet Operations
• Certification in Project Management
• Certification in Quantity surveying or equivalent qualification will be an added advantage.

Skills Required:

• Architecture / Urban / Planning
• Civil / Engineering / Cotm
• Mechanics / Mechanical / Engineering