As we enters a phase of accelerated growth and geographic expansion, we are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead a multi-year transformation to integrate and scale organization's internal and external operational systems to meet its 2030 growth targets. The COO will be a part of a five-person C-suite team, responsible for developing key strategies to execute the organization’s impact vision. This role stewards the enterprise-wide operating model, ensuring that organization's systems, people, and infrastructure scale with integrity, impact, and values. The COO will report directly to the CEO and serve as a strategic partner across the executive team while managing the VP of Operations, VP of Digital Transformation, General Counsel, and security/safeguarding teams.

• Lead the development of an enterprise operating model that links organization's strategy and long-term vision to execution across people, process, governance, and technology.
• Establish operating principles and core standards across procurement, compliance, logistics, infrastructure, digital and IT.
• Design and reinforce enterprise systems that enable leaders across the organization to drive aligned execution toward shared strategic and impact goals.
• Define and implement cross-country governance systems, including decision rights, escalation pathways, and performance standards.
• Monitor delivery across countries and departments, introducing improvements that enhance alignment, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Design interconnected operational platforms that support both internal execution and external delivery, including client onboarding, partner systems, and scalable support for programs and finance.
• Coach and equip senior leaders to adopt cohesive operational strategies for constant improvement and scale in all areas of work.
• Work with the VP of Digital Transformation to set governance frameworks and strategy, and embed technology into all areas of operations for efficiency and growth.
• Lead the legal and compliance processes for opening up new countries of operations, and setting up relevant processes, licenses, and legal operating procedures.
• Strengthen organization's risk management, safeguarding, and compliance infrastructure to keep staff and clients safe in all areas of operation.

• A strategic operator with 15+ years of leadership experience, including 5+ years at the executive level in Africa with rapidly scaling organizations.
• Proven architect of operating models that balance centralized systems with decentralized execution.
• Highly digitally fluent, with a track record of driving enterprise-wide transformation in partnership with tech and data teams.
• Experience in culturally sensitive change management processes.
• Grounded in values-based leadership, with experience operating in fragile or logistically complex environments.
• Fluency in English and at least one East African language required; French is a strong asset.
• Up to 30% travel expected across organization's countries and for other international engagements as needed.

• Leads with Vision and Accountability - Articulates a compelling long-term vision and strategy, inspiring commitment and ownership across the organization.
• Leads with a Future Ready Mindset - Shapes strategy through forward-looking decisions that anticipate risks and opportunities.
• Fosters Culture of Trust - Strengthens organizational culture by modeling values, being accountable to own development, investing in people, and building high-trust relationships.
• Makes Strategic Decisions - Balances bold action with thoughtful risk, making principled decisions for long-term success.

With a decade of impact-driven growth, organization is at the forefront of economic transformation in East Africa. Our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering financial inclusion has positioned the organisation as a leader in social enterprise and innovation in private sector solutions that up-end traditional humanitarian aid. As the COO, you will have a unique opportunity to shape the growth of a rapidly scaling organisation by building world-class systems dedicated to creating lasting economic impact. Join us in building the operational foundation that will power organization's vision of inclusive growth and resilience for underserved communities of women, youth, and refugees.