Africa Operations Officer

Zambia, Africa, Employee, full-time, 5-7 years of experience

About the Project

Within Africa, we currently support nine landscapes in six countries. We are ambitiously aiming to double our impact over this decade through investing, extending, and expanding at the landscape level, as well as strengthening and de-risking our organisational capacity for growth. This includes the strengthening of the Africa Department, based in Lusaka, Zambia, and its oversight and management of operations.

Your Tasks

As Operations Manager, your main objective is the improvement of FZS Africa’s operational processes as the Africa department embarks on implementing the organization’s ambitious growth plan. To reach that, you collaborate closely with the leadership team in the Africa Department and Germany HQ to develop and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Your main tasks, working closely with the Africa Director, Deputy Africa Director, and Senior Operations Officer, will include:

Reviewing project compliance with FZS policies, culture, and standard operating procedures.
Facilitating the draft and implementation of internal best practices for the consistent application of management practices in the context of conservation projects and soliciting input from across the organization.
Developing systems to facilitate good management disciplines and systems to track performance.
Coordinating the enhancement, drafting, and implementation of annual risk assessments of the site-based projects within the Africa portfolio and ensuring that any risks are communicated upward where appropriate.
Improving and managing FZS Africa’s internal communications systems.
Ensuring that senior members of the Africa team staff have the operational support needed to effectively perform their roles.
Supporting project managers and landscape leaders to use the appropriate project management systems and tools.

Your Profile

Master’s Degree or higher in Business Administration, Strategy, Project Management or another field related to conservation
3+ years’ experience in data management, development operations or administrative roles
Excellent knowledge of data management software and systems
Fluency in English and skills in French and German are an advantage
Familiarity with Africa-based non-profit systems, management and reporting practices
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and work streams simultaneously
Strong facilitation, organization and planning skills
Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to build coalitions, negotiate, and manage conflict situations
Willingness and ability to travel (up to 30% of the time), sometimes to remote and physically challenging locations

We Offer

The position offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the implementation of the FZS Global Strategy and its agenda for growth over this decade.
Focus on strengthening and de-risking systems within the organisation, particularly the Africa Department, thus making a difference and improving efficiency within programmes
Part of a small team at the departmental level, supporting the landscape managers in currently nine programmes in six countries (DRC, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe)
The position is initially limited to two years with a possible longer-term perspective and is based in Lusaka, Zambia.

Your Application

Please send your application (as a PDF including a motivation letter and CV) together with your salary expectations and the earliest possible starting date using our online platform or via e-mail to [email protected].

In your motivation letter, please answer the following questions:

What led you to apply for this position?

Which qualifications and personal qualities make you a good candidate?

Application Deadline: 25th January 2024