Head of Operations and Risk

Job Description

TEAM: Africa Operations and Risk

REPORTS TO: Head of Africa

LOCATION: Nairobi (with responsibility across Africa)

Job Context and Purpose

Adam Smith International (ASI) established its Africa regional office in Nairobi in 2008, supporting growth across Sub-Saharan Africa. The region is now ASI’s largest business unit, delivering over 30 programmes across 10 countries with more than 200 staff.

The Head of Operations and Risk for Africa plays a critical role in ensuring that operations run smoothly and risks are effectively managed across all of ASI’s country operations in the region. Reporting to the Head of Africa, this role ensures the development and implementation of robust operational systems, compliance frameworks, and risk management strategies. This position is key to maintaining the efficiency of operations, upholding duty-of-care standards, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all staff. The role also supports the effective execution of high-impact projects in collaboration with country teams.

Key Relationships

Internal

• ASI Head of Africa: Direct reporting line and collaboration on strategic operational initiatives.
• Country Leads, Regional Teams, Technical Team Heads of Programmes: Close interaction to ensure operational consistency and risk mitigation across projects.
• Finance, Risk, and Security Teams: Working closely with the Global Head of Risk and Security and the Finance Director to ensure compliance, cost efficiency and smooth financial administration.
• Legal, Ethics & Compliance Team: work closely with ASI’s LEC team to support local compliance across Africa
• Executive Team (ET): Regular updates on risk and operational challenges, especially with the Director of Geographies and Group Director of Operations.

External

• Clients (Donors and Governments): Collaborate to ensure compliance and address operational challenges.
• Local Legal and Compliance Partners: Ensure that local laws are adhered to in each country of operation.
• Consultants and sub-Contractors:  Manage relationships to ensure effective support for ASI’s operations.
• Security and Health & Safety Providers: Ensure robust duty-of-care frameworks are maintained.

Key Tasks

Operational Leadership

• Ensure operational structures are aligned with ASI’s strategic objectives across all African countries.
• Provide support to country teams for the smooth execution of operational tasks, including office management, logistics, and resource allocation.
• Regularly review and enhance operational systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to the challenges faced in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Monitor and address key operational and programme risks, escalating issues to the Head of Africa and the Global Head of Risk as necessary.
• Lead the implementation of duty-of-care measures, ensuring health, safety, and security protocols are followed in all African offices.

Compliance & Legal Oversight

• Ensure compliance with local legal and regulatory requirements in all countries, including tax, labour laws, and corporate governance.
• Collaborate with the internal audit team to address compliance issues and mitigate risks.
• Maintain oversight of corporate financial management and ensure adherence to ASI’s global standards.

Financial & Resource Management

• Work closely with the Regional Finance Lead to manage country-level operational budgets.
• Oversee cost efficiency in country operations, ensuring resources are effectively allocated and utilised
• Track operational expenditures and maintain timely cash requirement forecasts, sharing these with the centre as often as required.

Programme Support

• Support the delivery of major programmes by ensuring that operational challenges are addressed in a timely manner.
• Provide operational and risk-related advice to project managers and teams.
• Ensure projects have the operational resources required for successful delivery, including logistical and administrative support.

Crisis Management & Business Continuity

• Develop and implement business continuity plans to address potential disruptions in country operations.
• Lead the response to operational crises, ensuring that the company recovers quickly and maintains project delivery momentum

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the regional operations and risk teams, ensuring high levels of motivation, professionalism, and accountability.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, high performance, and collaboration within the operations teams.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to operational staff, helping them to develop skills and advance within the organisation.

Key Accountabilities

• Efficient and cost-effective operational systems in place across all country offices and shared service platforms.
• Robust risk management frameworks established and regularly reviewed.
• Compliance with all local and international laws, regulations, and ASI’s internal policies.
• High-performing, motivated operations and risk teams that support programme delivery.
• Timely escalation of major operational and risk-related issues to senior management.
• Improved operational efficiency, resulting in cost savings and enhanced project outcomes.
• Effective business continuity plans that mitigate operational disruptions.

Job requirements

Minimum Qualifications

A degree in a relevant field, such as operations management, risk management, business administration, or international development.

Experience Required

• A proven track record in managing complex operations across multiple countries, particularly in Africa or fragile/conflict-affected regions.
• Extensive experience in risk management, health and safety, and compliance.
• Experience in leading large teams and managing multi-million-dollar budgets.
• Familiarity with business continuity planning and crisis management.

Attitude

• High level of emotional intelligence, particularly in self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship management.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
• Resilience and adaptability in challenging environments.
• Strong commitment to ethical behaviour, inclusivity, and maintaining a high standard of care for staff.

Knowledge

• Familiarity with the tax, legal and regulatory compliance environment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• In-depth knowledge of operational best practices, including health and safety regulations and compliance.
• Knowledge of duty-of-care standards and how to apply them in complex operational environments.

Competencies

• Strong operational management skills with the ability to lead and implement efficient systems.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Advanced risk management expertise, including the ability to develop and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

• Advanced project management and operational oversight skills.
• Strong financial and budget management abilities.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
• Strong crisis management and problem-solving abilities.

Values

The Head of Operations and Risk for Africa will champion ASI’s core values, including ethical behaviour, transparency, and a commitment to inclusion. The role requires a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours not aligned with these values and demands leadership by example.

How to apply

Interested candidates can submit their CV along with a short cover letter.

The deadline for applications is 23rd March 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply this job via this link 

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