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Archive for April, 2009By Appointment Africa – HR SolutionsMonday, April 27th, 2009FriendsThursday, April 16th, 2009Welcome to TAKAUNGU! Exactly 4 kms down dirt road there is a sign to the right to the secondary school. Follow this road to the big tree, where you bear left to go past the PRIMARY school. Take the first and only turning on your right immediately after the school and follow your nose past the school to the sea. You will see a fork (keep right) in the road with a white gate directly in front or slightly to your right through which you pass to the house. If in doubt ask at the village for Nyumba ya Mason. Total of 6 kms from the tarmac. There are two houses on the property (Taku Double Storey and Taku Bungalow) and although close are two separate entities and we hope you will respect the other houses privacy as much as they will respect yours ! Late nights and parties are fun, but really for those involved, as are boisterous children round the swimming at siesta hour ! There are two individual access routes to the beach which mean that the other house doesn’t have to wander past you when you have just woken up. The beach is generally a haven of peace and the “cool pool” at the southern end which gives safe swimming or a lovely wallow at any stage of the tide. The water can be quite bumpy at high tide and there are currents. High days and holidays and the beach is public property..all the village children and many residents come down and it is wiser to retire to a stiff drink on the verandah until peace reigns the following morning. The fishermen have a Banda down on the beach but often leave their possessions with our staff which means at least a supply of fresh fish. Any problems with the fishermen please refer to Bakari who will talk to the Turtle Conservation Group who are our unofficial askaris for the beach. Security has never been a big issue as we have a good relationship with the village and you will see the houses are hardly burglar proofed. We generally shut the main windows and doors at night to dissuade petty theft and Husseini sleeps around the houses to help. The Turtle Conservation Group keep an eye during the day but we would suggest not taking any valuables to the beach. Please also be careful not to take towels to the beach a sarong is more than adequate. Please, be careful and don’t leave cash or valuables lying around and lock up any wodge or valuable items in a safe place. Bakari is the man in charge of pretty much everything and will do his best to keep his girls in line and look after you. He has a book which he keeps for village purchases and will tell you when he needs money and keep an account. Some items require a sortie to Kilifi and he can either tell you where to go or come with you to find things. At a pinch he can always get on a bicycle and go and buy things. You will find all the basics in the village, tea, milk, sugar, eggs, basic fruit such as bananas and mangoes in season, some sodas, ice and margarine. You won’t find alcohol, butter, coffee, kerosene, diesel/gas or meat – for these items please drive to Kilifi. You should not run out of diesel or gas but should you do so, Bakari will advise where to get them in Kilifi. Please note that fish will be bought up from the sea for you to purchase in season. Prawns and shellfish are generally not available from the beach and these may be purchased in Kilifi as well. Coast houses are normally fine for wet swimming costumes but because this is also our home we do have leather dining chairs which are rather old and do better without wet bums. There are a few items of furniture that require a little more than gentle care so please treat them with the respect that age expects. We have left you with all the very basics such as coffee tea sugar milk beer and soft drinks etc and started the cool box off with ice so if possible please leave the house with much the same for the next incumbents. Please note that the freezer is on for an hour in the morning and in the evening, so it acts as a very large cool box and is NOT a fully fledged freezer. Kept topped up with lots of ice it will act like one, but please keep an eye on foodstuffs contained within it. The swimming pool has no filters but is cleaned every morning and treated every evening. We have swum in it since it was built ten years ago and have never suffered any maladies! Please do ensure that an adult is always present when children are swimming and do not rely on the staff to caretake your children. Ayah’s accommodation is not provided for. Should you wish to bring your ayah, separate arrangements must be made as there is no extra room in the quarters. CONFIGURATION FOR TAKAUNGU DOUBLE STORY Main house sleeps 2 x doubles. Cottage sleeps 1 x double and 2 x singles can be made up if needs be. The cottage and main house are all included in the rental. Rates CONFIGURATION FOR TAKAUNGU BUNGALOW. 2 x Doubles, 1 x Twin – sleeps 6 in total. TestimonialsThursday, April 16th, 2009coming soon. EmployersThursday, April 16th, 2009We pride ourselves in providing corporate and executive search services to local, regional and international employers. We assist local and international employees who are searching for a change of career or are ready to move up the ladder in their chosen industry. Our clients’ expectations are exceeded in all aspects of our recruitment process. Personalised service means attention to detail from the first contact with our clients and constant communication and information updates through to completion of our assignment. Our clients’ confidentiality is fully protected in a structured, professional setting. We also offer a range of psychometric tests covering ability and aptitude, personality and managerial style profiles. These tests are costed separately and offered to our clients at their discretion. Our philosophy is to tell you if we can’t help you – we won’t waste your time if we can’t provide a service to you. By Appointment Africa offers support to Employers on a temporary, temp to permanent or contract basis. Our Procedure Our Promise We hope we can be of service to you. Candidate RegistrationThursday, April 16th, 20092010 Welcome to By Appointment Africa We firmly believe in going the extra mile in all aspects of our recruitment process by taking care of every detail, from the first contact with our clients through to the completion of our assignment. We support local employers with their corporate placement needs and assist our clients who are searching for employment opportunities, a career change, a more responsible position, or simply to register with us so that they may be contacted for future opportunities that arise at By Appointment Africa . We offer our clients support and confidentiality in a structured professional setting, providing you with the anonymity to allow you to discreetly investigate new career opportunities. If you are searching for employment opportunities, a career change or a more responsible position, you can benefit by registering with us. Once registered, you will be regularly updated with news events, job alerts, training courses and candidate drinks invitations, unless you choose not to be notified. Registrations are conducted by appointment only. Please set aside a minimum of one hour for the registration process as you will be pre-interviewed. This interview is a general interview to enable us to establish a general overview of your skills, experience and qualifications as well as discuss your career path. Please ensure you bring the documents listed below. If it is impossible to collate all the documentation required, it will not prevent you registering, as long as the documents can be sent to our offices within one week of registration. Our registration fees cover the administration costs of incorporating your CV onto our books and guarantees registration on our books for two years from the date of registration. We would ask however, is that if you do find employment via another channel that you inform us, in order that we can update your file. Please ensure you e mail us your updated Curriculum Vitae as your career progresses or if you have completed further education or training. This is important as it increases your employment opportunities. You will be required to scan and e mail us your new certificates in this instance. Please note that registration with By Appointment Africa does not guarantee, but greatly enhances your chances of employment when registered with us. We are constantly approached by employers searching for suitable candidates on a regular basis and we will contact you should a position arise that we think would suit your qualifications, skills and character. Registration Instructions Please ensure you make an appointment to officially register with us by calling +254 (0) 722 570 740/ +254 (0) 883392 IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO – Kindly ensure you e mail your Curriculum Vitae in Word Format (2003) before attending your registration appointment via the contact form below. Please do not send scanned certificates, nor Adobe documentation. Please ensure that you title the SUBJECT HEADER of your e mail in the correct format, for example, The following documents must be presented at registration. 1. Hard copy of your updated Curriculum Vitae, which must include at least three referees. You will be submitted your receipt with your personal registration number. Please keep this and use this number in all future correspondence. FOR CANDIDATES THAT HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED WITH BY US, BUT ARE APPLYING FOR A JOB THEY HAVE SEEN ADVERTISED, PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION LETTER BY E MAIL WITH THE JOB REFERENCE IN THE SUBJECT HEADER OF THE E MAIL AND YOUR REGISTRATION NUMBER WHICH YOU WILL HAVE RECEIVED AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. FOR EXAMPLE NSS/HRA/1/ – JOHN SMITH – C/SA/4 Please use the form below: By Appointment Africa is located at Office No. 20, Karen Connection complex, Lower Plains Road, off Karen Road, Nairobi, Kenya. Privacy StatementThursday, April 16th, 2009By Appointment Africa is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. We are committed to upholding the eight data protection principles of good information handling practice. General privacy statement The privacy of your resume By Appointment Africa. All rights reserved. Contact UsThursday, April 16th, 2009Physical Address Postal Address: Telephone Contacts: Website: Or just drop us a note:
High-earning green sector workers feel safe in jobsThursday, April 16th, 2009Results of first ever ‘green’ sector job and salary survey * 68 pct of green workers feel same or more job security * Survey showed average salary in climate sector was $76,000 * Men dominate industry and earn more than women on average
By Michael Szabo LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) – The economic downturn has claimed the jobs of tens of millions worldwide but most in the thriving climate change sector feel just as safe in their jobs, if not more so, than they did a year ago, a new Reuters survey shows. Some 68 percent of ‘green’ workers polled in the first ever Carbon Salary Survey said a heightened response in the past few years from government and business to the threat of climate change has increased their sense of job security. “The European Union’s emissions and renewable energy goals are enshrined and have wide support while U.S. President Obama’s vow to take global leadership on climate change puts the market on a very stable footing for continued growth and great job prospects,” said London-based climate consultant Amanda Rooney. The EU gave a boost to Europe’s green industry when it agreed last December to source 20 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020 and to cut its carbon emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels, raising that to 30 percent by 2020 if a new global climate treaty is signed. Obama is pushing Congress to pass its own climate laws and has said he will push the world towards agreement on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, at United Nations climate talks in Copenhagen this December. The survey, conducted along with green sector recruiters Acre Resources and consultants Acona, polled nearly 1,200 professionals who work in areas like renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions trading, in what has become a multi-billion dollar industry spawned by climate change.
HIGH EARNERS The average green collar worker makes $76,000 per year, the survey showed, with half of respondents receiving an annual bonus of around $11,000. The other half received no bonus. “Top tier salaries have increased over the past two years. We now see more jobs paying six figure salaries, particularly as climate change has started to pull in senior managers from other areas of business,” said Andy Cartland, managing director at Acre Resources. U.S.-based workers were the best paid, receiving salaries averaging $100,000, while Australasia followed closely with $93,000. Workers in Asia earned the least at $41,500. It may be a new industry built on new technologies, but patterns seen in old-school sectors have re-emerged with a green tint, the survey showed. Those working in the financial and legal sectors had the highest average salary ($116,000) and annual bonus ($95,500) while people working in green marketing, PR or media were the worst paid at $58,000 a year. Over three quarters of survey respondents were male, though some in the industry said it was becoming more balanced. “In 2001, 90 percent of my clients and people you’d meet at conferences were male,” said Lucy Mortimer, a global manager at brokers TFS Green. “The market has changed considerably since then — half my team is female, and most broking firms and banks in carbon have women working for or leading the teams.” Some observers were dismayed to find that gender inequality has managed to creep into the green sector, as the survey revealed that men earned an average $79,000 compared to $65,000, or 18 percent less, for women. The UK remains the sector’s nucleus, with 28 percent of corporate headquarters located there. North America was next at 26 percent and the rest of Europe was home to 24 percent. Africa was home to just one percent, though climate professionals from the continent said its industry was growing. “There have been noticeable increases in activity in South Africa, Nigeria and Mozambique,” said Rob Ashdown, a consultant at South Africa’s Merchantec Capital, adding that Africa’s renewable energy and climate consultancy sectors are also maturing. A solid education was a common trait amongst respondents, with 96 percent having at least one university degree, but the results showed that having green qualifications made little difference in remuneration. Those with environment-related degrees made under $70,000 on average, while those holding more general degrees made around $85,000 a year. Over threequarters of those surveyed said they were satisfied with their jobs, while 93 percent said they would recommend a career in the environmental sector to others. Welcome to By Appointment AfricaThursday, April 16th, 2009At By Appointment Africa, we pride ourselves in providing corporate and executive search services to local, regional and international employers. We assist local and international employees who are searching for a change of career or are ready to move up the ladder in their chosen industry. Our clients’ expectations are exceeded in all aspects of our recruitment process. Personalised service means attention to detail from the first contact with our clients and constant communication and information updates through to completion of our assignment. Our clients’ confidentiality is fully protected in a structured, professional setting. We can now also offer a range of psychometric tests covering ability and aptitude, personality and managerial style profiles. These tests are costed separately and offered to our clients at their discretion. Employment seekers are guaranteed the anonymity they seek to allow them to discreetly investigate new career opportunities. Those interested in furthering their career, or facing a career transition can greatly benefit from active participation with By Appointment Africa . Our philosophy is to tell you if we can’t help you – we won’t waste your time if we can’t provide a service to you. By Appointment Africa offers support to Employers on a temporary, temp to permanent or contract basis. Clock ticks for date with KRAThursday, April 16th, 2009
It’s that time of the year again when those with income are required to file last year’s tax returns with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). As the clock ticks towards the June 30, those who fail to meet the deadline are liable to penalties. “All individuals with an income and businesses are required to file returns,” says Mr Ashif Kassam, a partner at RSM Ashvir, an audit, tax and consulting firm. A tax return declares one’s income or that of a business and the taxable amount. Under the Income Tax Act, one is liable to a penalty at the rate of five per cent of the net tax due for every 12 months for failure to submit the return forms. “The reason for filing income tax returns to declare to Kenya Revenue Authority your income and expenses for last year,” says Kassam. KRA has mailed return forms to companies employers with more than 150 employees. The forms can also be collected from KRA offices or downloaded from the revenue collector’s website. Efforts have also been made towards facilitating returns filing electronically. Currently, Value Added Tax (VAT) returns can be filed online. Details required in the individual return form include income from employment, business, farming, rent and interest. Income from one’s wife is also treated separately in the form. Declare all income An individual is required to file income tax return if his/her income exceeds the basic exemption limit. Taxpayers are required to declare all income earned last year. If a man is married and living with his wife, her income is deemed to be his income for income tax purposes. It should therefore be included in the return. A married woman should complete her own return form if she is separated from her husband either by a court order or by agreement or is a resident of Kenya and her husband is not. Those failing to furnish accounts and for making an incorrect income return or statement or for claiming false personal relief are liable to additional tax. Failure to furnish a full and true return and accounts or making a false return/statement may also be the subject of a criminal charge. place of work An individual taxpayer should also include the value of any benefit or facility enjoyed as a result of employment. These include residence or meals provided at your employer’s place of business; domestic servants or transport from your residence to your place of work. Benefits in kind or in the form of service, however need not be included if the total value during the year was less than Sh24,000. If an employer provides free medical cover, it need not be included except if the employer pays doctor’s bills or reimburses the employee in cash. One is advised to consult with the employer as to the value of benefits received. If any amount is paid by your employer on your behalf for personal liabilities such as household bills, these are regarded as income from employment and must be taxed. Use of employer’s car for private purposes is a benefit. One should therefore state the model, make and rating of the car in the returns forms. Contributions made to any registered retirement fund or to a provident fund are deducted before tax is calculated. The amount of insurance relief is 15 per cent of premium paid provided that it is in respect of the taxpayer’s life or life of his wife or child. The insurance relief shall not exceed Sh45,000 per annum. minimum year A copy of the policy has to be attached and if this is an education policy it has to be for a minimum of 10 years. The individual rates of tax are 10 per cent on the first Sh121,968, some 15 per cent on the next Sh114,912, some 20 per cent on the next Sh114,912, some 25 per cent on the next Sh114,912.00, and 30 per cent on all income over Sh466,704 per annum. Source: Jackson Okoth, The Standard Newspaper, 15/6/09 |
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