Independent Travel Consultant (Fixed Term Contract)

The role also provides expert advisory on travel policies, processes, and procedures, ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs). Key responsibilities include stakeholder engagement, supplier management and performance evaluation, travel risk management, operational efficiency, and budget oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Health and Safety: Uphold the company code of conduct, policies, and procedures, ensuring integrity and accountability in every aspect of work. Adhere to safety, health, and wellbeing policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Travel Program Management: Develop, implement, and continuously improve Safaricom's corporate travel policy. Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and audit standards. Oversee end-to-end travel management processes (booking, ticketing, reporting, and reconciliation).
• Supplier & Contract Management: Manage relationships with Travel Management Companies (TMCs), airlines, hotels, and other travel vendors. Lead supplier sourcing, evaluation, and contract negotiations to achieve optimal value. Monitor vendor performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
• Cost Management & Optimization: Analyze travel spend and identify cost-saving opportunities. Implement cost control measures without compromising service quality and safety. Prepare periodic reports on travel expenditure, trends, and savings achieved.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders on travel-related matters. Provide advisory support to management on travel strategy and operational issues. Conduct regular business reviews and presentations with stakeholders and vendors.
• Risk, Safety & Duty of Care: Ensure robust travel risk management frameworks are in place. Coordinate emergency travel support and crisis response mechanisms. Ensure compliance with duty of care obligations for all travelers.
• Systems & Process Improvement: Manage and optimize travel management systems (e.g., online booking tools, expense systems). Drive automation and process efficiencies within travel operations. Support system implementations, upgrades, and integrations.
• Reporting & Analytics: Develop and maintain dashboards and reports for travel performance. Provide data-driven insights to support decision-making.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Travel and Tourism, Procurement, Logistics, or a business-related course from an accredited college or university.
• Professional certifications in travel management, procurement, or supply chain are an added advantage.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a Travel Management Company (TMC) or corporate travel environment.
• Proven experience managing corporate travel programs and high-volume travel operations.
• Demonstrated success in cost optimization, supplier negotiation, and travel policy implementation.
• Excellent knowledge of computer reservations systems, GDS systems, and e-traveling.
• Fluency in English and Amharic; multilingualism is a plus.
• A 'Can Do' attitude to drive results and get the job done on time and to the customers' satisfaction.
• Strong customer orientation and the ability to discover what is important to the customer (internal and external) and respond to it.
• High interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and any other software relevant to Travel Management Services.