Background

Manager, Maintenance & Auxiliary Services role at USIU. Responsible for managing maintenance operations, facilities, and auxiliary services across the university. Requires a relevant technical or facilities management qualification and strong supervisory experience. The role is based in Nairobi with duties performed on-site.

Reporting to Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance & Operations, the Manager, Maintenance and auxiliary services is responsible for the efficient management and delivery of Maintenance and Auxiliary services operations across the University. The role ensures that all facilities, utilities, and support services are well-maintained, safe, functional, and conducive to learning, teaching, research, and residential life.

The position oversees maintenance planning, service delivery, vendor management, and compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards while ensuring optimal utilization of resources and high-quality service delivery to the University community.

Key Responsibilities

1. Facilities Maintenance and Operations

Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of university buildings, infrastructure, and equipment.

Ensure timely response to maintenance requests across academic, administrative, and residential facilities.

Develop and implement maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and extend asset life.

2. Auxiliary Services Management

Manage auxiliary services such as cleaning, waste management, landscaping, transport, catering support, and other campus support services.

Ensure high standards of service delivery to support a conducive learning and working environment.

Monitor performance of outsourced service providers to ensure compliance with service level agreements.

3. Infrastructure and Utilities Management

Oversee the efficient operation of utilities including water, electricity, HVAC systems, and other essential services.

Monitor utility usage and implement cost-control and sustainability initiatives.

4. Health, Safety, and Compliance

Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards, environmental regulations, and university policies.

Conduct regular inspections and risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards.

Support emergency preparedness and response initiatives in collaboration with security and safety teams.

5. Project Coordination and Improvements

Coordinate minor construction, refurbishment, and renovation projects within the University.

Liaise with consultants, contractors, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and quality project delivery.

Support planning and execution of infrastructure improvement initiatives.

6. Vendor and Contract Management

Oversee procurement and management of service providers and contractors related to maintenance and auxiliary services.

Ensure proper contracting, performance monitoring, and evaluation of vendors.

Maintain effective relationships with suppliers to ensure continuity and quality of services.

7. Budgeting and Resource Management

Develop and manage budgets for maintenance and auxiliary services.

Ensure cost-effective utilization of resources while maintaining service quality.

Monitor expenditures and provide regular financial and operational reports.

8. Asset Management

Maintain an updated inventory of facilities, equipment, and assets under maintenance.

Ensure proper lifecycle management, including maintenance, repair, and replacement planning.

9. Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with academic departments, student services, housing, and administration to address facility and service needs.

Provide timely communication and updates on maintenance schedules, disruptions, and improvements.

10. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery within maintenance and auxiliary services.

Promote adoption of best practices, including green initiatives and smart facility management systems.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Facilities / Real Estate Management, Business Administration, or a related field

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical), Facilities/ Real Estate Management, or a related field.

Professional certification in Facilities /Real Estate Management or Project Management is desirable.

Membership in a relevant professional body.

Proficiency in computer applications and facilities management systems.

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience in facilities management, maintenance operations, auxiliary services management, and real estate management, within a large institution or similar environment.

Experience in managing outsourced services and contractors.

Demonstrated experience in maintenance planning, budgeting, and project coordination.

Core Competencies

Strong leadership and supervisory skills

Planning and organizational skills

Technical knowledge of facilities and maintenance systems

Financial and resource management skills

Problem-solving and decision-making ability

Communication and interpersonal skills

Attention to detail and quality orientation

Risk management and compliance awareness

• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of university buildings, infrastructure, and equipment.
• Ensure timely response to maintenance requests across academic, administrative, and residential facilities.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and extend asset life.
• Manage auxiliary services such as cleaning, waste management, landscaping, transport, catering support, and other campus support services.
• Ensure high standards of service delivery to support a conducive learning and working environment.
• Monitor performance of outsourced service providers to ensure compliance with service level agreements.
• Oversee the efficient operation of utilities including water, electricity, HVAC systems, and other essential services.
• Monitor utility usage and implement cost-control and sustainability initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards, environmental regulations, and university policies.
• Conduct regular inspections and risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards.
• Support emergency preparedness and response initiatives in collaboration with security and safety teams.
• Coordinate minor construction, refurbishment, and renovation projects within the University.
• Liaise with consultants, contractors, and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and quality project delivery.
• Support planning and execution of infrastructure improvement initiatives.
• Oversee procurement and management of service providers and contractors related to maintenance and auxiliary services.
• Ensure proper contracting, performance monitoring, and evaluation of vendors.
• Maintain effective relationships with suppliers to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Develop and manage budgets for maintenance and auxiliary services.
• Ensure cost-effective utilization of resources while maintaining service quality.
• Monitor expenditures and provide regular financial and operational reports.
• Maintain an updated inventory of facilities, equipment, and assets under maintenance.
• Ensure proper lifecycle management, including maintenance, repair, and replacement planning.
• Work closely with academic departments, student services, housing, and administration to address facility and service needs.
• Provide timely communication and updates on maintenance schedules, disruptions, and improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery within maintenance and auxiliary services.
• Promote adoption of best practices, including green initiatives and smart facility management systems.

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Planning and organizational skills
• Technical knowledge of facilities and maintenance systems
• Financial and resource management skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail and quality orientation
• Risk management and compliance awareness
• Proficiency in computer applications and facilities management systems.

• Master’s Degree in Facilities / Real Estate Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical), Facilities/ Real Estate Management, or a related field.
• Professional certification in Facilities /Real Estate Management or Project Management is desirable.
• Membership in a relevant professional body.