Job description

About the role

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a core member of the leadership team alongside the Executive Director (ED) and Director of Programs (DoP). The role holder will be responsible for all administrative, operational and contractual aspects of the company with oversight of the following functions: finance, procurement and project delivery across the organisation, programme operations and administration, talent management and Human Resources. He/she will also manage the contractual relationships with service providers including the fund manager, the IT service provider and external and internal auditors.

The COO will be responsible for ensuring that FSDU’s governance functions smoothly, with appropriate communication between the Board and the Management. He/she is also responsible for establishing and implementing a risk-based company culture. Alongside the ED and the DoP, the COO will play a pivotal role, in setting up and negotiating donor partnerships, defining programme outcomes and ensuring that appropriate reporting frameworks are in place and implemented.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategy Development & Execution

• Contribute to overall strategy development with a focus on reporting and analytics.
• Oversee the development of both long term and annual resourcing (people and financing) projections in consultation with FSDU’s senior leadership and pillar heads, presenting to and gaining agreement of the FSDU Board and alignment with funder expectations.
• Establish strong organisational systems, processes and frameworks that enhance organisational effectiveness and efficiency as well as support tactical execution of the strategy.
• Provide advisory services and act as a sounding board for pillar heads, DoP and ED for guidance and support in program and administrative implementation.
• Accountable for the direct management of core enabling functions such as Finance and HR and indirectly through vendor agreements.

2.    Establishing Systems and Processes

Governance, and Board Support:

• Ensure FSDU Board and Board sub-committee meetings are properly supported with appropriate and timely information and reports.
• Facilitate the work of two key Board sub-committees i.e. Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (AFRC) as well as the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (HRCC) assisting the committee chair with agenda setting, leading the report preparation and implementation of committee recommendations.
• Assist the ED in fulfilling her governance responsibilities.

Policies, Systems and Procedures:

• Ensure the development and implementation of policies, systems, procedures and tools that will assure quality delivery and effective impact in areas of responsibility.
• Drive enforcement and adherence to policies and systems.
• Ensure the roll-out of new or improved systems/tools (e.g. through communication, training & delegation to staff).

Risk Management:

• Oversee the management of risk across FSDU’s activities; ensuring development of a comprehensive understanding of FSDU’s risks and mitigation strategies.
• Support relevant outsourced legal and compliance firms in complex and high-risk contract negotiations.
• Safeguard FSDU’s Financial resources by giving due consideration before signing approvals; while ensuring value for money and performance by engaged service providers.

Procurement and Administration:

• Monitor compliance of grantees with contract terms and ensure Financial obligations are settled promptly and are consistent with the contract terms.
• Oversee all Procurement and contracting procedures including the development of requests for expressions of interest or proposals, evaluation and issue of contracts, purchase orders and where applicable, partnership agreements.
• Oversee and ensure that all administrative activities are conducted in conformance with policy and best practices.

3.    Financial management & fundraising

• Oversee the annual budgeting process and ensure compliance with the budget.
• Conduct rigorous Financial analysis to inform strategy, forecasting and support programmatic decision making.
• Oversee and participate in Financial due diligence related to fund management.
• Monitor compliance by FSDU with the terms and conditions of MoUs/funding contracts and those with the implementing partners.
• Oversee regular reporting (monthly, quarterly, annual) to the Board and funders and undertake reviews.
• Facilitate the work of and engagement with external and internal auditors.
• Ensure that FSDU’s Financial management complies with national and international Financial regulations; and that Financial record keeping will support effective auditing and timely reporting to both the funders and the Board.
• Support the ED in taking ownership of all Financial reporting to stakeholders.
• Oversee the implementation of and reporting on the value for money (VFM) framework.

4.    People Management

• Alongside the ED, build a motivated team that is capable of delivering on FSDU’s vision and strategy.
• Develop recruitment and talent management plans in line with FSDU strategy.
• Implement effective remuneration, reward and benefits, that motivate staff (subject to necessary approvals).
• Develop and implement an employee performance management system that supports the achievement of FSDU’s goals and objectives and equitably rewards employees.
• Lead the Operations team in a manner that empowers them to deliver excellent support services and maximises value for money on investment from FSDU's resources.
• Manage unit culture and employee engagement.
• Provide effective direct leadership to reports through coaching, mentoring and management of performance.
• Accountable for the mitigation of all people related risks through appropriate risk management strategies

Does this sound like you?

• Ugandan nationals strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s in a related field e.g. Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or Legal
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in Finance, Audit, Operations, Administration, Grants Management, at least five (5) years of which must be at senior level with accountability to a governance board
• A professional qualification in Accounting, Procurement or Risk Management
• At least three (3) years of work experience in Africa with direct experience in East African markets
• Strong experience in Financial Management and Procurement
• Demonstrable experience in Donor Contract Management
• Proven experience in Human Resource Management
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to manage project diversity and complexity, with a portfolio in USD of 3-5 million in range
• Proven track record of managing relationships and influencing key stakeholders at the leadership or specialist level

Nice to have:

• Master’s Degree
• First-hand experience of working in/with a market building programme
• Understanding and experience of programme management in the Financial sector
• Working experience in a multicultural environment

Persons of all gender, race, sex, orientation, age, and identity are encouraged to apply.