Business Operations Associate at One Acre Fund

Job Description:

The Business Operation team oversees the strategy and implementation of back-end and Headquarters’ operations that directly impact our clients and staff by providing excellent support services in Customer Engagement, Case Investigations, Client Data Management, Loan Collections and Orders and Distributions.

The Business Operations Associate will oversee 2 to 3 sub-departments within Business Operations and will lead improvement projects to help us to improve and scale our backend operations. You excel in the ambiguity of a startup environment and you are eager to drive the success of teams and projects.

Responsibilities:

Strategy & Vision:

• Measure progress against goals, regularly report on progress, and hold the team accountable for delivering results in key strategic areas.
• Drive Business Operations to scale our services to more clients efficiently while maintaining a high level of service.

Team Management

• Manage and mentor sub-department managers (2-3 sub-teams) and ensure that all of these departments’ tasks are executed to world-class standards.
• Ensure Business Operations sub-departments are collaborating effectively with individuals, teams, and divisions outside of the Business Operations department. Set-up appropriate systems of communication to keep everyone moving together.

Strategic Improvements and Collaboration

• Identify and prioritize operations improvement projects to allow us to scale to more farmers, more efficiently, and offer a better service.
• Participate in relevant Working Groups to collaborate with colleagues to move forward on key initiatives. These include Enrollment Working Group, Input Delivery Working Group, etc.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, developers, and country leadership to update and improve on the cross-country organizational data platform.

People Management & Training

Manage 2-3 mid-level managers with weekly reporting meetings, performance reviews, and development, strategic direction and support.

Ensure that all staff receives effective mentorship to promote career growth and capacity to handle the organization’s rapid growth.

Team & Culture

• Within your sub-department, ensure all staff members are connected to the mission and feel motivated to serve our farmers each day.
• Serve as a leader and role model to the Kenya team at large. Embody One Acre Fund’s core values: Humble Service, Hard Work, Continual Growth, Family of Leaders, Dream Big, and Integrity.
• Monitor team morale, plan and mitigate any changes that could create disharmony amongst staff.

Spending and Budgeting

• Participate in the annual budgeting process for your sub-departments; anticipate spending for the year based on annual plans.
• Each month, flag any expected over-expenditures and identify possible ways to offset costs.
• Identify ways for the department to become more efficient.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership experience at work, or outside of work, enthusiasm for learning, and openness to feedback.
• Ability to build teams and collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong educational background; a Bachelors’ Degree in relevant field.
• Language: English required in Kenya. Swahili-speakers strongly encouraged to apply.