Careers at Inkomoko

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITIES

This role serves as the right hand to the COO, ensuring execution discipline, clarity of communication, and operational follow-through across a fast-scaling organization.

The Chief of Staff & Executive Assistant combines high-level coordination, strong communication, and hands-on execution to keep priorities moving, unblock teams, and ensure the COO’s strategy translates into measurable results across operations, risk, and scale-up initiatives. This role is open to candidates based in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, or South Sudan.

 Executive Support & Coordination (40%)

• Manage the COO’s calendar, priorities, and travel to ensure focus on highest-impact work
• Organize Office of COO Leaders meetings, as well as other key meetings/forums 
• Prepare briefing notes, talking points, and decision memos for internal and external engagements
• Coordinate Office of COO board reports  
• Track action items from leadership meetings and ensure timely follow-through
• Represent the COO in meetings where appropriate and ensure clear communication back to teams
• Coordinate Board and executive-level materials in collaboration with leadership

Communications & Alignment (25%)

• Draft and refine high-quality internal and external communications (presentations, updates, reports)
• Translate strategy into clear, actionable messaging for teams across countries
• Drive alignment across departments by ensuring consistent messaging and priorities
• Facilitate workshops, leadership meetings, and cross-functional planning sessions

Special Projects & Process Improvement (20%)

• Lead and support priority projects under the COO, including scale-up initiatives and new country readiness
• Conduct rapid process reviews across operations (e.g., client journey, procurement, approvals) and recommend improvements
• Coordinate and manage consultants supporting operational transformation initiatives
• Track delivery against key operational KPIs and escalate risks or delays

Operations, Risk, Systems &  Performance Support (15%)

• Support the COO in strengthening enterprise risk management, including risk tracking and mitigation follow-up
• Coordinate initiatives related to security, safeguarding, legal/contracting, and operational standards
• Support digital transformation efforts by improving visibility, dashboards, and reporting systems
• Ensure operational policies and standards are documented, communicated, and implemented consistently
• Support COO in corporate performance

Requirements

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Inkomoko has found that our happiest and most effective colleagues are proactive, resourceful, self-motivated, trustworthy, and accountable. They are go-getters with a can-do attitude, who support their teammates with sincerity. No task is too small and above all, they are humble and willing to give and receive feedback.

This role requires someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused, while able to operate at a strategic level when needed.

Core Capabilities

• Strong system, process experience 
• Strong facilitation skills both in person and use of virtual facilitation tools
• Exceptional report writing experience 
• Exceptional communicator: Clear, concise writer and confident facilitator across all levels
• Execution-focused: Strong ability to track details, manage follow-through, and deliver results
• Highly organized: Able to manage multiple priorities with precision and discipline
• Problem solver: Quickly identifies issues and drives practical solutions
• Trusted partner: Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and integrity
• Adaptable and resilient: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Additional qualifications

• 5 - 8+ years of experience in operations, consulting, program management, or executive support roles
• Prior experience supporting a senior executive (COO, CEO, or similar) strongly preferred
• Experience in high-growth, mission-driven or startup environments is an advantage
• Strong proficiency in productivity tools, data systems, and presentation platforms
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree is an advantage.

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Key Responsibilities:

Project and Pilot Leadership

• Lead cross-functional innovation projects, from design through pilot implementation, with a focus on digitalization and emerging client needs.
• Manage timelines, resources, and stakeholders.
• Develop and test new tools and methodologies to improve client outcomes.
• Ensure consistent follow-through and cross-departmental support to successfully implement innovation projects.
• Support the integration of pilot outcomes and insights, working with relevant departments to review and adapt procedures.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Work closely with Business Growth Services, Investments, MERL, IT, and other departments to ensure successful project execution.
• Align innovation initiatives with Inkomoko’s strategic goals and departmental priorities to promote outcomes-driven collaboration.
• Build relationships and influence across teams to foster ownership, alignment, and momentum for innovation projects.
• Provide flexible cross-functional support to Learning initiatives as needed - including contributing to workshops, materials, and capacity-building

Research & Evaluation

• Conduct exploratory research on client needs, external innovations, trends, and tools to inform potential pilots.
• Define success metrics and monitor pilot performance. 
• Analyze results and data to generate insights and suggest improvements for project effectiveness.
• Conduct feedback loops and iterate based on findings.

Communication and Reporting

• Prepare reports summarizing pilot activities, results, and recommendations.
• Synthesize data and lessons learned into actionable insights to inform decision-making and future initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of templates, manuals, and systems that increase operational efficiency.
• Contribute to donor updates and the dissemination of learning.

Requirements

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

They embody Inkomoko’s core values, build inclusive and safe learning environments, and continuously seek feedback and insights to improve impact. Practicing “radical candor”, they promote a culture of learning, cross-functional teamwork, and capacity building. 

In addition, we are looking for someone with:

• 5+ years of experience in project management and program innovation (must have)
• University degree (Master's or equivalent)
• Proven experience managing pilots in a fast-growing NGO or social enterprise.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize data and insights.
• Adaptability to dynamic environments, with a results-driven mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in French, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Somali, or Swahili is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Familiarity with design thinking, human centered design (HCD), user research methodologies, or agile methodology.
• Experience collaborating in multicultural, multi-country teams.
• Knowledge of economic development and displaced populations is an asset.
• Proficient in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and other data and design tools.