Deputy Executive Director(Operations & Programs) at African Development Solutions (Adeso)

POSITION SUMMARY

• The Deputy Executive Director (DED – Operations & Programs) is a senior executive and key member of the senior leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director (ED). S/He is directly responsible for developing and executing the internal operational and program strategies necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of Adeso the Non-Profit. The DED-Operations & Programs will be the organization’s second-in-command and responsible for the efficiency of the organization’s operations and programs.

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The goal of the DED (Operations & Programs) position is to secure the functionality of all operations, finance and programs to drive extensive and sustainable organisational growth with the following responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership
• Working in partnership with the Executive Director and DED – Partnerships & Advocacy, oversee the development and execution of the multi-year strategic plan and roll out of the new Adeso brand and implement effective policies, processes, and approaches to achieve it.
• Ensure Adeso maintains an appropriate capital structure to support its annual operating and strategic plans and monitor the activities and resources of Adeso, to ensure that they are consistent with the strategic direction, financial limits and operating objectives approved by the Board.
• Provide strategic direction and planning for the managed growth of Adeso and ensure adequate cost efficiency and effectiveness measures are in place, including benchmarks for determining effective resource utilization.
• Finance and Operations Systems
• Oversee the design and implementation of all Adeso operations and procedures and ensure that all policies promote the organization’s culture and vision.
• Oversee the development and roll-out of the advanced ERP software for the entire organization and the digitization of all Adeso operations.
• Ensure all legal and regulatory requirements in all Adeso country operations are met and all documents are filed, reported, audited and in compliance with laws and regulations for the organization.
• Work with the Executive Director to provide the Board assurance that proper systems are in place to identify, manage and mitigate business risks and confirm that such risks are acceptable to Adeso and are within the guidelines established by Auditors and the Board.
• Oversee the Adeso financial roadmap and work closely with the Finance & Operations Director to ensure its successful implementation and execution.
• Promote financial accountability and reporting through designing systems and policies which provide appropriate levels of security and control of Adeso assets, resources and operations.
• People and Culture
• Lead in the setting and execution of comprehensive goals and organizational plans for performance and growth within the organization.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership and institute and implement an organizational culture that embodies the mission, core values and practices that shape the ethos of the organization.
• Provide leadership and management that reflect the new mission, vision and offer of Adeso and foster a success-oriented and accountable environment within the organization.
• Program Quality and Learning
• Lead in setting strategic goals and objectives for the programs’ unit and in the implementation of all programs to align with these goals and objectives.
• Ensure that all program activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of Adeso and in accordance with relevant donor rules and regulations.
• Provide leadership and management to ensure the effective, quality and timely delivery of all Adeso’s programs and initiatives and oversee the recruitment of all Program staff.
• Apply change, risk, and resource management principles for all Adeso projects.
• Work in collaboration with program leads to create detailed implementation plans that include deadlines, milestones, processes, and risk mitigation protocols for the respective projects.
• Lead in the implementation of learning and continuous quality improvement within Adeso programs focusing on continuous systems and process improvement.
• Grant Management and Compliance
• Monitor and support the Partnership team’s fundraising pipeline.
• Ensure effective and compliant grants management for the organization.
• Manage all the contractual aspects of relationships with donors, partners, vendors and other stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of Adeso and be driven by the mission and vision. S/He must demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead change.
• Diverse financing and investment experience including Islamic social finance strongly desired.
• Worked or lived experience in the Horn of Africa strongly desired.
• Seven (7) years or more experience in an executive leadership role in the nonprofit sector.
• Proven experience as a Programs and Operational executive or a relevant role.
• Excellent people skills, business acumen and exemplary work ethics with demonstrable competency in strategic planning,
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with a track record in delivering plans on time and on budget.
• Outstanding organizational and leadership abilities, excellent interpersonal, aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Thorough understanding of policies and best practices of risk management.
• Degree in Business Management, Administration, Program Management, or a related field.
• Exceptional capacity for managing and leading people; a team builder with the ability to connect with all levels of employees; individually and collectively; and develop a top-notch workforce.
• Strives for excellence with experience in leading others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact with a high degree of integrity, credibility, self-confidence and the ability to communicate well with both internal and external partners.