IDinsight is an international development organization that helps policymakers and managers make socially impactful decisions using rigorous evidence. We carefully tailor a wide range of analytical and quantitative tools to enable our clients to design better policies, rigorously test those ideas, and take informed action at scale to improve lives.
The Africa Regional Operations Associate Director/Director will set the strategic direction for Africa Operations, ensuring both East and Southern Africa (ESA) and West and North Africa (WNA) regions work toward shared standards. This leadership role involves translating organizational priorities into operational plans, overseeing regional governance, and managing the people and systems that support IDinsight's work across the continent.
Role Responsibilities
Strategy and Cross-Regional Integration
- Set the strategic direction for Africa Ops, ensuring both regions work toward shared standards rather than solving the same problems independently.
- Translate organizational and regional priorities into Africa-wide Ops operating plans, service standards, and team workflows; identify where ESA and WNA can be better integrated.
- Represent Africa Ops in global leadership conversations, advocating for the resources and investments the region needs.
- Spot structural inefficiencies or risks across the Africa office and project footprint before they become crises.
- Apply a data-informed lens to assess performance across regions, including service levels, compliance risks, and cost drivers.
- Design and maintain a fit-for-purpose Africa operating model balancing standardization and local compliance.
Standards, Systems, and Governance
- Own Africa-wide Ops standards, policies, handbooks, and compliance frameworks, respecting local legal and cultural contexts.
- Oversee operational coordination across multiple legal entities in Africa in partnership with local counsel, Finance, and Global Operations.
- Oversee risk management, including compliance, vendor dependency, safety, security, and audit readiness.
- Lead Africa-wide duty-of-care systems, including travel protocols and incident response readiness.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement focused on operational effectiveness and staff experience.
- Partner with Finance and Legal on strategic investment decisions and cross-regional resource allocation.
Managing and Developing Regional Ops Managers
- Directly manage regional Ops Managers for ESA and WNA, providing coaching and direction.
- Set clear expectations and create stretch opportunities for managers while protecting team well-being.
- Coach managers to move from reactive execution toward proactive, strategic ownership.
- Serve as an escalation point for sensitive or complex people matters.
- Build a cohesive Africa Ops team that fosters collaboration across the continent.
Organizational Leadership
- Communicate with executive presence, synthesizing complex operational information into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
- Serve as a trusted thought partner to Regional Directors and global function leads.
- Model IDinsight's values of honesty, humility, and inclusivity.
Qualifications
- 8+ years in operations, people operations, HR, or an adjacent function in international environments.
- Experience managing managers and holding teams accountable across multiple geographies.
- Track record of building and improving systems at scale and driving cross-functional integration.
- Strategic thinker able to translate ambiguity into clear priorities.
- Strong financial judgment, including owning budgets and guiding investment decisions.
- Experience overseeing statutory compliance, external audits, and multi-country operational coordination.
- Experience with safety, security, and duty-of-care systems in complex environments.
- Data-informed decision-maker using analysis to shape strategy.
- Executive presence in written and verbal communication.
- Ability to travel regularly across Africa offices (approximately 25%).
- Familiarity with MS Office, Google Docs, and systems such as BambooHR, Asana, and Slack.
- Fluency in English required; Professional French strongly preferred.
Behaviors and Mindsets
- Calm under ambiguity and able to bring structure to fast-moving environments.
- Low-ego, high-judgment leader who can influence across functions.
- Strong cross-cultural manager who builds trust and inclusion.
- Self-starting team player with a stewardship mindset.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the IDinsight portal: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1214786. This link will direct you to the application form on idinsight.bamboohr.com.
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