Chief Operations Officer
Are you interested in a catalytic role in an innovative programme that brings agency to vulnerable women and youth?
Come and work for SaveAct!
SaveAct is building a multi-stakeholder, partner-driven programme for southern Africa. It has been tested and refined over 20 years. Our approach has proven impact in providing opportunities for women and youth to advance their wellbeing, agency and livelihoods.
There is massive demand for our savings methodology especially from rural women. We have successfully integrated financial literacy, life pathway development, micro-enterprise development and agroecology into the programme. Over 110 000 members contribute R600m (USD37m) pa towards investment in livelihoods and their social security. 92% of members are women.
SaveAct has the goal of scaling its programme with partners to reach two million people over 10 years, equipping them with the tools to develop their livelihoods and acquire resilience to climate shocks.
To lead this initiative SaveAct is seeking a dynamic individual to join our team as Chief Operating Officer (COO). As the right-hand person to our Executive Director (ED), you will play a pivotal role in leading our team strengthening internal systems and processes as we build for scale and develop market-based approaches that attract strong partners. For further information go to this link.
We are looking for a COO with outstanding leadership abilities who will collaborate with the team to develop our plans and innovations. This person should be reflective, and analytical, and should be skilled at facilitating team and partner-based collaborations, and have a strong track record in managing the operations of a small and growing organisation. A second local language is an advantage.
Objectives of this role:
- Work with the ED and senior management to establish and execute the organizational vision, operations strategy, and necessary hiring procedures.
- Translate strategic goals into actionable steps for growth, overseeing organization-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual planning.
- Supervise SaveAct’s operations and employee productivity, fostering an inclusive and respectful culture that enables team members to thrive and meet objectives.
- Manage recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance evaluation, and retention efforts.
- Ensure compliance with non-profit laws while taking appropriate actions when needed.
- Lead the development of the partner-based programme’s implementation.
- Contribute to promoting a collaborative and collegial ecosystem with programme partners, including a community of practice.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategies that align with short- and long-term objectives, working closely with the ED.
- Co-design and draft scopes of work and costings to submit to donors.
- Conduct internal operations analysis (including data gathering and analytics) to identify areas for process improvement.
- Direct operations, HR, finance, and work with the ED on plans and budgets.
- Use of systems to monitor performance, take corrective actions when required, and provide detailed updates and forecasts.
- Cultivate and sustain trusting relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and donors. Existing networks will be an advantage.
Required skills and qualifications:
- Five or more years of experience in a comparable leadership role.
- Strong leadership skills with a team-orientated culture, high personal integrity and determination.
- Understanding of business planning and regulatory matters.
- Excellent proposal writing skills and abilities to detail a vision for change matched to timeframes, resources and costs.
- Fundraising experience
- In depth use of Excel and MS Office systems for multi-year planning and budgeting/forecasting.
- Ability to swiftly diagnose problems and anticipate potential challenges.
If you are interested please apply by submitting a short letter of motivation, a CV and traceable references to: info@saveact.org.za.
This is a one-year contract with a probable extension. The candidate should be Pietermaritzburg-based or able to spend extended periods there.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. SaveAct reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Please submit your application to the email address above by 3rd January 2025.