Chief Operating Officer

Duties and Responsibilities

Organisation Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director Science and Senior Management Team to lead the organization, set strategic direction and successfully deliver organisation goals.
• Undertake horizon scanning and keep up to date with developments in operational, macroeconomic, and global environment for adapting and impact on the organization.
• Act as an ambassador for the organization, developing relationships with external stakeholders including, bankers, donors and regulatory authorities as required.
• Act as in-country lead, in the absence of the Executive Director, having oversight of all the organization’s activities and staffing.
• Lead all professional services and operations functions to work together to support institutional goals. providing direction and support and managing performance.
• Lead by example to promote the organization values and foster a collaborative culture within SMT and across the organisation. 

Finance

• Have oversight and leadership of the finance and procurement function.
• Develop and review systems to ensure operating efficiency and continued functioning of internal control systems.
• Develop, review and amend the organization policies and standard operating procedures to ensure an optimum operating environment.
• Develop financial strategies to support organisational growth and lead on initiatives to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization
• Lead on the annual reporting of the financial statements and supervising of the external audit process.
• Update and provide strategic financial advice to the organization Board and SMT on organizational financial status.
• Conduct financial forecasting, and analysis to facilitate operational and strategic decision making and exploitation of business growth opportunities.
• Have oversight of the organization project portfolio, and ensure effective control of all budgets, monitoring and interpreting project burn rates.
• Ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions in line with International Financial Reporting Standards.
• Lead and manage the organizational risk profile and financial governance.
• Through the Finance Manager, ensure robust systems and processes are in place for good financial health and value for money procurement.

Operations Support Services

• Provide strategic leadership and direct line management across all Operations and Support Services functions, including Human Resources, Procurement, Administration and logistics, Data management and ICT.
• Working with function leads to set direction and develop business plans and monitor delivery.
• Ensure Operations functions work to an integrated vision, providing effective and coordinated support to programme activities and ensuring that appropriate structures, resources and controls are in place to meet needs.
• Provide strong and supportive leadership to all function leads and direct reports to include guidance, direction and development.
•  Act as Authorised official for contracts and grant agreements. Manage all lease agreements, utilities contracts and site operations.
•   Manage portfolio of strategic (and capital) projects, as required.
• Provide operational and performance reports to the leadership and the Board as required.
•  Maintain the organization risk register, identifying and evaluating strategic risks, and ensure effective controls are in place.
• Maintain oversight of regulatory and internal compliance frameworks across the organization operations and programme activities and report as required to SMT and Board.  

Academic Qualifications Required

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting
• A master's degree is an added advantage
• The ideal candidate must be a qualified CA.

Experience Required

• Track record of operating successfully in a strategy leadership role
• 15 years’ of work experience, with 10 years’ experience in Finance and 5 years at a senior operations, management and leadership role.
•  NGO experience managing project-based financing is a plus.
• Experience in Grants Management is desirable.
• Track record of successfully leading multi-disciplinary operations/professional services functions.