Footprints Africa is looking for a highly strategic, collaborative Head of Operations to deliver the long-term vision. This?is a pivotal role tobackstop the CEO, keeping organisational projects on tract and in line with Footprints values and charitable objectives.
About Footprints Africa
Starting in Ghana, Footprints is piloting a new approach to advance the inclusive development of African economies, focussing on the role of the private sector in the environment and community.
Footprints supports SMEs to adopt future-friendly practices and create jobs, using supply chains as a tool for development. The private sector, particularly SMEs, is at the centre of environmental and social challenges, both as cause but, more importantly, as a potential solution. Focussing on 2 sectors, Catering and Industrial Waste Management, we are championing business as a force for good and piloting new business models that exemplify this.
We have 3 goals in our 5yr strategy to trial an approach to system change. All activities will be used to educate and raise awareness of sustainable development.
1.Business level: supporting role-model companies to adopt business practices that create solutions to environmental/ social challenges
2.System level: designing a roadmap for inclusive, regenerative development of the 2 sectors
3.Operational level: developing a sustainable financial model to deliver our objectives so that they can be scaled and replicated across the continent.
About this role
This is a pivotal role to facilitate the smooth running of the organisation, ensuring all aspects reinforce the organisation’s objectives and drive the right behaviour, keeping the team accountable for delivery of the charitable objectives. You will work closely with the CEO and complement her with your working style.
·Design and oversee our organisation’s operations and procedures. With the CEO, turn the 5-year strategy into an operating plan with clear roles, timelines and resource requirements.
- Support the CEO to prioritise the workload and make space for the unexpected.
·Lead the hiring of new team members and act as the line manager as necessary.
·Design the process to oversee consultants and grantees; from identification and engagement to delivery and measurement.
- Manage the team and link employee success to the strategic goals.
·Embed feedback loops at all levels so that lessons are captured constantly and used to adapt activities. Footprints will be a testbed for an operating structure that can be used in other organisations.
·Determine what is measured to drive the desired outcomes. Ensure all necessary internal and external reporting and regulatory requirements are fulfilled.
·Support the CEO with governance and financial management of the organisation and its activities, including preparation for Trustee Board Meetings.
You Are
Great at managing expectations and communicating openly with good and bad news.
Passionate about developing people and contributing to the shaping of a team of change-makers.
Flexible and able to adapt swiftly (and identify the need to adapt) under changing circumstances or new information. Able to operate in complexity or ambiguity and put structure in place to manage teams and move forward.
Self-aware and not afraid to admit mistakes or weakness. You’d rather work together to get to the right answer, than be right. You’re not afraid to stand up for yourself and are able to manage disagreement and focus on the outcome.
Proactive and dedicated to delivery; you get great satisfaction from taking a task to completion, whilst keeping the team informed about progress.
Rigorous in prioritising, an independent thinker and problem solver. Able to work effectively with a high degree of self-motivation.
Realistic with your abilities and keen to learn, improve and grow.
Experience/Skills
·Strong understanding of systems and controls, experience managing data and navigating regulatory requirements.
·Experience managing people, understanding their different styles and how to get the best from them
·Project/ Programme Management with multiple stakeholders, preferably using approaches such as Human-Centred Design, Systems Thinking, Lean Data.
·Be financially literate with an understanding of business administration and statutory filing practices.
·Experience running a programme, company, charity or business unit at a similar stage.
·Experience working in the private sector
·A passion to make a difference and examples where you have gone against perceived wisdom or the status quo to enable that change
·It would be a bonus if you have:
·Specific experience in one of: Circular Economy/ sustainability/ social enterprise/ waste management.
·Have experience with B-Corp Accreditation.
·Experience assessing, deploying and using project management software that Footprints might use.
Our Values
1.Local solutions to local challenges, working with and developing local experts.
2.Get into the trenches and learn by doing, truly listening to those already there.
3.Continuous improvement, of ourselves, our work and those around us, even if that requires difficult conversations.
4.Communicate openly and promptly about concerns or weakness and work together to remove obstacles.
5.Commit to excellence and take responsibility for achieving it, even where your role is small.
6.Bring your own flavour and live your values.
