Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Summary

Raising The Village is hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) based in Uganda, Rwanda, or Tanzania. Reporting to the CEO, this executive role requires 15+ years of experience to scale last-mile rural poverty alleviation programs, data governance, legal compliance, and operational systems (procurement, fleet, IT, safety) across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Roles & Operational Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Scale & Multi-Country Operations

• Operational Architecture: Build, streamline, and scale operational infrastructure across Procurement, Fleet, Facilities, Health & Safety, and Operational Planning to support rapid expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Replication Playbooks: Formulate operational playbooks and replication frameworks to enable seamless entry into new regions, government partnerships, and technical assistance delivery models.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Align field logistics, digital tools, legal compliance, and program teams to ensure consistent operational discipline and high-impact program delivery in last-mile environments.

2. Technology Infrastructure & Data Governance

• Field Tech Operations: Oversee hardware deployment, device management, vendor contracts, and connectivity solutions to keep digital field tools reliable in remote, low-connectivity rural settings.
• Data Privacy & Cybersecurity: Design and enforce global data governance frameworks and cybersecurity standards across all digital platforms, field devices, and partner integrations.
• Risk Management: Establish risk frameworks for information security, responsible data use, and regulatory compliance across operating jurisdictions.

3. Legal, Compliance & Executive Leadership

• Global Governance: Oversee legal frameworks, enterprise risk management systems, donor compliance, internal controls, and contract governance across all operating countries.
• Team Leadership & Talent Pipeline: Mentor operational leaders, build internal leadership pipelines, and cultivate an organizational culture focused on resilience, trust, and execution discipline.
• Strategic Partnership with CEO: Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to translate organizational strategy into multi-country operational reality.

Foundational Capabilities & Prerequisites

Required Track Record & Professional Qualifications

• Executive Experience: Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience spanning international development, tech-enabled social programs, or large-scale non-profit operations.
• Academic Background: Graduate degree (MA/MSc preferred) in International Development, Business Administration (MBA), Public Policy, Technology Management, or a related field.
• Regional Experience: Proven success managing complex field operations, supply chains, or technology-enabled platforms across Sub-Saharan Africa or emerging markets.
• Governance & Risk: Advanced knowledge of donor regulations, legal compliance frameworks, and government stakeholder management in complex political and regulatory environments.
• Operational Disciplines: Formal training or demonstrated leadership in financial management, project management, and enterprise risk management.
• Travel Flexibility: Ability to travel 25–35% internationally, including travel to last-mile rural program communities and RTV headquarters in Toronto.

Strategic Priorities (First 24 Months)

• Operational Model Integration: Develop an integrated operational framework to scale direct community programs alongside technical assistance and platform services.
• Data Governance Standard: Achieve 95% compliance with data privacy and security standards across all operating jurisdictions (5+ countries).
• Expansion Logistics: Deliver scalable procurement, fleet, and logistics workflows optimized for rural livelihood program expansion.
• Retention & Internal Mobility: Achieve ≥90% retention in critical leadership roles and improve the year-over-year internal fill rate for key management positions.

Skills Required:

• Computer / Software / It / Data
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management