Network Operations Associate at Namati

About the Position

• The Grassroots Justice Network, which Namati convenes, is the first and only global network dedicated to resourcing and uniting grassroots advocates who work with communities to advance justice. Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Network has grown to include over 3,800 groups and 15,000+ individuals from nearly every country. 
• As a Network Operations Associate, you will provide key operational support to our growing network. This is a challenging and exciting position at the heart of Namati’s Grassroots Justice Network team which offers a unique vantage point into running a dynamic global team and building a global movement. 
• Reporting to the Network’s Deputy Director, the Network Operations Associate will provide proactive and responsive support (administrative and logistical)  to our fast-paced team and Network members across the globe. We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys the operations and administrative side of an organization, and who feels satisfaction when bringing both precision and creative thinking to operational roles. This role is essential for the “behind-the-scenes” work that is critical to making our on-the-ground work possible. 
• Exceptionally organized, creative, and meticulous, the Network Operations Associate will juggle multiple responsibilities while problem-solving and troubleshooting on many fronts. With responsibilities that range from planning in-person events to managing vendor relationships and corresponding with network members, the Network Operations Associate must exemplify excellence in every task, large or small.

The Network Operations Associate will be responsible for the following :

Network Operations (45%)

• Help to coordinate Network meetings, and follow up on activities, commitments, and documentation timely.
• Support team logistics for meetings, planning retreats, and travel at regional and global levels.
• Support partner agreements and sub-granting processes, from initial partner assessment through execution of agreements.
• Monitor subgrants according to established timelines, including submitting payments, tracking reporting and expenses, and maintaining documentation.
• Handle and track expenses, payments, and invoices for the Network team - including disbursements, wire transfers, honorariums, and small grants - in coordination with the Finance team in Washington DC and Nairobi.
• Lead the provision of interpretation and translation services, both fielding requests internally and coordinating externally with vendors.
• Lead on “requests for proposals” processes for services from vendors and consultants.
• Participate in regular coordination meetings and team check-ins across the Network.
• Assist in the organization of online filing systems.
• Support and handle correspondence with Namati’s Global Programs team, various Namati country programs, and various other intra-organizational staff requests.

Support regional activities across Africa (30%)

• Coordinate and attend calls with various regional core groups across the continent, and follow up on activities, commitments, and documentation timely.
• Lead on logistics and planning for activities, workshops, and events,  both virtual and in-person.
• Assist with tracking quarterly and annual engagement data on Network activities.
• Support the drafting and review processes for regional communications.
• Draft programmatic discussion summaries, including compelling member stories to share with internal and external audiences.
• Document Network member participation in events and activities, and support engagement through community-building efforts.

Member engagement & support (25%)

• Onboard new Network members, and act as the first point of contact for member inquiries, requests, and referrals.
• Provide support to members on our community discussion platform by answering questions, acting as a moderator, and encouraging platform engagement.
• Support various member surveys, including building online forms and analyzing results.
• Regularly review and update member directory information, and follow up with members to ensure membership data is accurate and up-to-date.
• Support virtual member events globally, such as providing logistical support for webinars.

Here’s what you might have tackled recently 

• Worked with the finance team to submit expense reports from a recent Network event in Senegal;
• Corresponded with a leading member in Thailand to support the origination of a subgrant agreement for regional work; 
• Sent out invitations for a group discussion on advocacy for women’s rights, as well as supporting logistics for the  call itself and taking notes during the discussion;
• Secured a team of translators to produce a French version of a new report, and help manage the new version from translation back and forth to publication;
• Organize travel arrangements for regional members to attend an international advocacy event in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;
• Post a topic in the community discussion forum, welcoming newly registered members after their onboarding.

About You/Must-Haves for the Position

• Track record of excellence: You have demonstrable experience (at least one year) of operational support to program implementation. You epitomize reliability, and you’ve always been recognized as the person whom others trust to get the job done quickly and accurately. You genuinely enjoy behind-the-scenes work because you know the value it brings to the success of any team. 
• Nimble, creative, problem-solver: Although careful planning and execution define your work, you are positive and graceful when unexpected challenges arise. You quickly reorient and identify the best new course of action.
• An eye for detail: You can multitask, using sound judgment and remaining detail-oriented. You’re extremely thorough and will follow through on complicated, multi-step processes. You’re known for producing high-quality work on a deadline.  You take pride in being able to spot typos or meeting conflicts and being able to flag them with grace and precision.
• Collaborative and service-oriented: You greet everyone you encounter with a collaborative spirit, kindness, and empathy. You are known as a team player who brings an “all hands on deck” mindset to all projects - you’re happy to contribute however you can to advance Namati’s mission.
• Growth-oriented: You’re always seeking to better yourself and your work, and you will push yourself to the peak of performance to help fulfill our mission. In service of that growth, you welcome and delight in feedback from supervisors, peers, and anyone else.

To Apply

• Please complete our online application form, including a CV and application questions. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and initial review will begin on 11th March 2024.