Job Description

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer
Department:
Reporting To: Executive Director
Titles of Direct Subordinates: Finance Manager, Human Resources Director, Research Director, Program Director, Data Manager
Duty Station: Head Office

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to the Organisation's professional service functions, aligning them with the organization's mission and program goals. Set and deliver the finance strategy to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization. Act as deputy to the Executive Director and serve as in-country lead in their absence. Lead the implementation of strategic direction, foster organizational performance, and promote a collaborative leadership culture.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organisation Leadership
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director Science and Senior Management Team to lead the organisation 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 organisation.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, 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 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 Organisation's 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 Organisation's 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 Organisation
• Lead on the annual reporting of the financial statements and supervising of the external audit process.
• Update and provide strategic financial advice to the Organisation's 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 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 organisation's risk register, identifying and evaluating strategic risks, and ensure effective controls are in place.
• Maintain oversight of regulatory and internal compliance frameworks across the company's operations and programme activities and report as required to SMT and Board.

Qualifications and Experience

• The strategy and execution plan for the institution in alignment with the strategic goals of the organisation.
• Resource mobilization and utilization strategy across departments.
• Measures for optimizing the day-to-day operations and processes for support services.
• Internal controls and operating procedures within the finance department.
• Nature and content of reports on financial position, financial performance and operations.
• Amount of cash holding for working capital requirements.
• Minimizing operational risk and risk mitigation measures.
• Suppliers and contractors to engage and contract periods.
• Staff training and professional development of departmental staff.
• Adequacy of support, human and capital resources.

SECTION E: ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION/TRAINING REQUIRED

i. Minimum academic and professional qualifications REQUIRED for this job

• Certified Accounting professional (CA, ACCA, CIMA) – Mandatory
• Master’s degree in business administration from a reputable institution
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting from a recognized institution

ii. 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

iii. Professional groups/ memberships that the job incumbent MAY join:
iv. • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
v. • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
vi. • Institute of Chartered Accountants
vii. • Local and international financial management bodiesviii.

ix. Additional training required.

• Stakeholder Donor rules and regulations
• Strategic leadership and financial management
• Continued professional development in leadership and operations

SECTION F: CRITICAL SOFT AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams
• Possesses strong leadership skills and business acumen.
• Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
• In-depth knowledge of financial governance and IFRS
• Drives accountability, setting pace and motivating to achieve performance against objectives.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders in a multicultural environment.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, professionalism, a commitment to lead by example and dedication to the organisation's values and principles.