Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About the role

Raising The Village builds pathways out of ultra-poverty in rural Africa through data-driven, community-designed solutions, and is expanding its impact across Sub-Saharan Africa. The COO reports to the CEO and provides strategic and operational leadership for global operations, ensuring the systems, people and infrastructure needed to scale the mission. The role covers Procurement, Facilities, Fleet, IT (excluding Venn), Legal, Health & Safety and Operational Planning, and works closely with the CEO and senior leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead global operations and build the operational systems needed to scale, including operational playbooks and replication frameworks for new regions and partnerships.
• Ensure efficient logistics, strong program delivery and cost-effective implementation across countries, with compliance with donor requirements, internal policies and national regulations.
• Strengthen coordination between programs, operations, finance and technology teams, and mentor operational leaders and country teams.
• Contribute to data governance, cybersecurity and risk management, including digital infrastructure, information security and data protection.
• Provide enterprise-level oversight of legal, regulatory and compliance frameworks, and oversee contracts with governments, partners, vendors and service providers.
• First 24 months priorities: integrate operations and scale direct implementation and digital platform services; strengthen data governance and cybersecurity; build scalable processes for procurement, logistics and program operations; and strengthen leadership and retention in country teams.

Required profile

• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in international development, technology-enabled development programs and/or large non-profits, spanning multiple areas.
• Graduate degree (MA/MSc preferred) in international development, business administration, public policy, technology management or a related field.
• Deep experience governing, complying and managing risk in multi-country, complex political environments, including donor and government requirements.
• Demonstrated success scaling complex operations, programs or platforms across Sub-Saharan Africa or similar emerging markets.
• Training or experience in financial management, project management and operational leadership.

Nice-to-have qualifications

• Experience supporting technology infrastructure and operations, including device management, field connectivity and vendor management.
• Experience implementing digital tools and strengthening cybersecurity practices.
• Familiarity with reliable digital platforms in rural or low-connectivity environments.

The role involves regular international travel of about 25-35%, including to rural and remote program locations, and may be based in one of RTV's operational hubs depending on experience. It suits leaders comfortable working across diverse environments with field teams, government partners and communities.