Chief Operating Officer

RI is active in 16 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. Often, RI is the only organization providing assistance to highly vulnerable communities.

RI employs 7,000+ staff and auxiliary workers
97% of staff are in-country nationals
We only have some 90 ex-pat staff out of 7,000+
RI spent $125 million in 2019 on our programs.

RI invests in four broad program sectors: Economic Opportunity, Education, Health, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). We design our programs to incorporate The RI Way: local participation, integrated programming, the development of civic skills, and partnerships including with local NGOs, governments, and the private sector. RI supports solutions that reinforce and improve upon existing in-country systems. Where such systems do not exist or are chronically underperforming, RI’s crisis response lays the foundation for long-term, sustainable change. About the role. This is a newly created role, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to provide a single strategic leadership voice for our programs and knit together our major program related activities: program management, program development and technical assistance. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Programs is responsible for leading and managing the efficient and effective implementation of Relief International’s global programs, in line with organizational strategy, consistent with our standards, and in compliance with donor, governmental and industry standards and requirements. As COO-Programs your role will be to provide leadership to a high performing team of leaders across program management, program quality, program development, awards management and security. Accountable to the CEO, and ultimately the boards of directors, for the implementation of strategic, high quality programs. Your role will be critical in partnering with your peers – the chief financial officer, and heads of risk management, human resources and development & communications – while also being responsible for the execution of field operations, including program planning, organizing, operating and staffing. You will also be responsible for managing the budget related to supporting effective program implementation. You will provide insight and guidance on global-level strategy, approach, systems effectiveness and improvements to help strengthen our work in the field. Responsibilities. Strategic Planning and opportunities

Partner with the CEO to represent RI with external constituency groups, including community, governmental, and private organizations to improve the effectiveness and impact of our work.
Provide leadership in implementing the programmatic aspects of the strategic plan for 2021- 2025, setting organizational objectives and determining strategic investment, driving innovation and results, strengthening organizational systems and policies, coordinating functions and managing teams.

Quality Program Delivery

You will be responsible for the successful delivery of all of RI's programs around the world.
Focus on program quality to ensure positive impact in communities we serve.
Ensure that all program activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of Relief International.
Deliver RI global programs which are in line with the global strategy, high quality, on budget and safe.
Lead and implement a continuous quality improvement process throughout global programs, focusing on systems/process improvement.
Promote regular and ongoing opportunities for all staff to give feedback on program operations.

Budget and Fiscal Management

Design and deliver a resource mobilization plan, focusing on securing institutional donor funds for programs and implementing them in a timely fashion.
Prepare and submit an annual operational budget to the CEO and CFO for review and approval, manage effectively within this budget, and report accurately on progress made and challenges encountered.
Ensure the continued financial viability of Relief International’s programs through sound fiscal management.

Leadership and Management

Provide leadership, direction, strategy, vision, and program integrity for the organization’s projects and initiatives throughout the world.
Inspire team members to strive for excellence in meeting the needs of communities we work for.
Develop and nurture an effective and high performing team and departments that work well together.
Facilitate effective work force planning, organizational design and change management within the context of the five-year strategy and the needs of the organization.
Model and promote RI values within the team and with others

Organizational risk management

Working closely with global assurance team, review and manage risks identified for all country programs.
Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.
Consistent with RI’s safeguarding and protection policies, ensure all people who come into contact with Relief International are as safe as possible.
Ensure that the entire program delivery team embody RI’s commitment to a positive and productive work environment which is free from harassment and bullying.

Equity and Diversity commitment

Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of systemic diversity and cultural differences.
Ensure that gender equity is addressed in our staffing and programing.

Role requirements. You will bring the following skills and experience:

Progressive senior management and leadership experience, preferably at an executive level.
Solid educational background including an undergraduate degree and a master’s in international development/studies, MBA or similar advanced degree or equivalent experience.
Success in developing and implementing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence, engaging partners, and partnering with a CEO and board of directors.
Managed and led high performing teams operating across multiple development, humanitarian or nexus programs across a broad geography, including fragile settings.
Strong relationship building and communication skills with experience leading diverse work teams and working in globally distributed organizations to delivering strategic results.
Systematic approach to reporting, program measurement and program evaluation.
Demonstrated integrity and excellence in your work, with experience leading others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
Passionate about Relief International’s mission and able to promote and communicate the philosophy, mission and values of Relief International to external and internal stakeholders.
Experience of ensuring cultural diversity and gender equity are embedded into global strategy and programming.
Ability and willingness to travel 25-50 percent of the time to provide on-site leadership for global program operations