Operations Director at Teach For Nigeria

Teach For Nigeria is a non-governmental organization focused on developing leaders to address education inequity in our country. Our mission is to attract, engage and mobilize a critical mass of young change agents who will drive the movement towards educational equity and excellence in Nigeria, starting by recruiting outstanding graduates as full time teachers for two years in underserved schools in low-income communities.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Operations Director

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time
Work mode: Hybrid Working Environment
Reporting to: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Purpose of Job

• The post-holder will direct and oversee the provision of core services, as well as ensure the delivery of business and strategic plans.
• The Operations Director will be a key member of senior management and will work closely with the CEO to ensure the organization’s sustainability, financial viability, and resilience.

Position Summary

• This is a key leadership and senior management role to help deliver TFN’s strategy. The Operations Director will be responsible for developing the operational strategy for the organisation; overseeing, developing, and implementing the key strategic goals of Teach for Nigeria and serving as a key support and advisor to the Chief Executive Officer.
• This role is expected to oversee the Finance, Human Resources, Marketing/Communications, Administration, and Technology functions.
• It plays a key role in reporting to and working with the relevant Board subcommittees and the Board of Trustees, providing internal governance and oversight as part of the senior leadership of Teach for Nigeria.

Roles and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Effectiveness:

• Provide inputs, support, and advice to the CEO and Management Team for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the TFN’s institutional strategy, including the development of organisational KPIs that map onto TFN’s Theory of Change
• Consider the organisational design requirements (people, structures, and systems) over the short to medium term to deliver TFN’s strategy efficiently and effectively.
• Play a critical role in strategic decision-making and operations in support of the organisation’s mission and strategy and be a champion for a people-centered approach that reinforces TFN’s commitment to employee development and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new systems, structures, or cultural shifts

Leadership and management:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for finance, human resources, risk management, marketing/communications, administration, legal, and technology, as well as for business operations processes, through the line management of these functions. 
• Ensure that organisational risk issues are identified early, brought to attention at relevant levels, and managed effectively, including ensuring organisational learning ensues as appropriate.
• Ensure the sound application of TFN’s people policies for the recruitment, performance management, development, and retention of staff.
• Coach and supervise direct reports to build internal management and business operations capacity and to support core services in the delivery of operational excellence.

Operations Management:

• Ensure that appropriate processes and policies are in place to ensure organizational effectiveness.
• Coordinate legal, audit, finance, risk management, and other professional/outsourced services.
• Improve organizational efficiency and productivity through extensive process analysis and interdepartmental collaboration
• Analyze current operational processes and performance, recommending solutions for improvement where necessary
• Set strategic goals for operational efficiency and increased productivity
• Collaborate with team leads toward the development of performance goals and long-term operational plans.

Finance, resource, and systems management:

• Ensure the TFN’s financial viability and long-term financial sustainability in collaboration with the CEO and the Board.
• Oversee TFN’s annual budgeting and planning processes, working closely with the CEO, senior finance staff, and TFN leadership team, and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Contribute to setting the direction, allocating resources, assessing, and reporting on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees, institutional funders, etc.
• Report regularly on financial and risk assessment-related issues to the Finance, Audit, and Risk Board sub-Committee.
• Act where necessary, and as required for external accountabilities, as the Finance Director for the organisation.
• Oversee the treasury management of funds and manage reserves in close collaboration with the CEO.
• Oversee financial management, planning, systems, and controls across the organisation, working closely with Finance Team leadership.
• Maintain oversight of the working relationship with TFN’s auditors, working with the Board to engage and monitor the performance of TFN’s auditors.
• Work with the Finance Team leadership to oversee TFN’s internal audit programme, reporting to the Board.
• Work with the Finance Team and others to oversee external funder audits, as well as respond to funders’ queries regarding compliance, operation, and governance.

People & Culture (Human Resources):

• Develop and implement TFN’s People Strategy
• Supervise and line manage the HR function and its deliverables, reporting to the CEO and the Human Capital Committee
• Ensure HR drives staff engagement and the implementation of an HR system, including employee satisfaction metrics and a performance management system
• Supporting the development of a training and professional development strategy for the organization.
• Support the development and execution of policies that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being.
• Handle discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy.

Legal & Regulatory:

• Liaise with the Legal Consultant to ensure all processes, procedures, and policies are in line with the law.
• Ensure all third-party contracts/transactions are properly executed.
• Ensure that all statutory requirements of the organisation are met, including with CAC, FIRS, and other tax and regulatory authorities.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with internal and external policies and procedures.
• Ensure robust systems for monitoring and complying with funder requirements are in place, and ensure TFN has a system for effective grant management.
• Provide authorisation and approval for contracts, grant agreements, and proposals in accordance with the delegation of authority and TFN internal policies.

Technology:

• Oversee the development and implementation of IT strategy and digital transformation efforts that improve efficiency and impact
• Ensure the TFN’s IT systems and platforms are joined up, fit for purpose, future-proof proof and enabling efficient working processes, as well as reducing risk of cyber-attacks.
• Oversee the management of the organization’s technology and web-based data management systems, including the development and maintenance of our core salesforce.com system (used for recruitment, selection, participant and alumni management, and stakeholder relationships); and lateral training of other staff in their use of data management systems
• Ensure the maintenance and improvement of IT systems (e.g., directory structures, contact databases, and ensuring data integrity and cleanliness)

Marketing and Communications:

• Provide strategic leadership to the Marketing and Communications team to elevate Teach for Nigeria’s brand, influence, and voice
• Monitoring the activities of the media team and ensuring compliance with laid-down guidelines.
• Maintenance and further development of digital presence (website, social media, and email marketing as appropriate)
• Responsibility for approving incoming communications, verbal and written, and preparing outgoing communications as required
• Support fundraising and advocacy by ensuring communication materials reflect strategic priorities and align with target audiences.

Office Administration:

• Governance support, including the preparation of Board papers and minutes
• Coordination, sourcing, and management of office infrastructure and materials
• Establish contracts, agreements, and pricing and ensure proper maintenance, and serve as primary liaison with utilities and local government agencies, such as fire, police, health, and safety agencies.
• Ensure a seamless procurement process
• Review and approve all operational invoices and ensure they are submitted for payment.
• Ensure the coordination of a sound inventory system

Educational Qualification and Experience

• Senior-level experience with broad management and operational responsibility
• Knowledge of best practice in the operational and strategic aspects of human resources, finance, risk management, facilities, and information technology.
• Relevant professional, financial, and HR qualifications and commensurate experience.
• Experience in strategy implementation, budget development, scenario planning, financial projections, and preparation of business plans.
• Substantial experience in leading at a senior management level and involvement in the strategic development of a non-profit organization with board accountability.
• Evidence of having led and managed another operational function (eg IT, facilities), tax, and VAT knowledge.
• Ability to translate strategy into workable plans and actions, led by user-centered design and grounded in the experience of a broad set of stakeholders.
• Superior negotiation skills for both internal and external purposes
• Strong working knowledge of financial management and reporting, data analysis, and performance metrics, using business management software
• Excellent leadership skills: able to influence others; able to enhance and build the culture of Teach For Nigeria
• Outstanding management skills; a team builder capable of recruiting, retaining, motivating, and developing a highly effective team
• Superior strategic and analytical skills: able to solve complex problems and implement solutions
• Relentless pursuit of improvement and results
• International perspective and experience
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Exemplifies Teach for Nigeria’s core values and possesses the highest standards of ethics, integrity, respect for others, and humility.

Compensation

• Salary and benefits are competitive at Teach for Nigeria. Benefits include opportunities for training and ample opportunities for professional development through the global network, Teach for All.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send CV and a one-page Cover Letter to: nike@dresslerkboconsulting.com using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.