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Job Title:   Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Organisation: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Country Director

About the Company:

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the largest independent conservation organizations in the world. We are an international NGO committed to environmental protection active in almost 100 countries. WWF has a growing conservation Programme in the Republic of Uganda. WWF Uganda Country Office (WWF UCO) works with central and local government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the local communities to implement its various conservation programmes on Energy and Climate, Forestry and Wildlife, and Freshwater in Uganda.

Job Summary:   The Chief Operating Officer (COO) supports the WWF Uganda Country Office by leading the enabling functions team to ensure high performance, innovative, efficient and effective operating systems that enhance delivery of complex conservation programs and results. The COO is instrumental in improving organizational policies, procedures, and management systems, and ensuring compliance with WWF’s International Network Standards, organizational policies and procedures, globally accepted norms and best practices in NGO operations as part of the Global Network of WWF offices.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:   In this regard, the Chief Operations Officer will:

• Review, set, drive and support the creation of efficiencies across departmental workflows in compliance with WWF International standards and targets and will support functional heads create, deliver and sustain operationally efficient processes and services that meet donor, staff and compliance obligations within departments.
• Guide the organizational change process and deliver continual improvements in key operational areas, elevating WWF UCO’s profile as an efficient ‘partner of choice’ for donors.
• Exercise leadership on bringing holistic organizational growth and effectiveness of operations as an integral member of the WWF UCO the Country Leadership Team (CLT).
• Provide strategic thought and leadership on developing and oversee the implementation of financial sustainability and business planning.
• Work with the CLT to establish a strong performance culture across WWF UCO to deliver on commitments highlighted in the Strategic Plan.
• Direct, coordinate and manage the work of support services units through the respective Heads: Finance, P&C, IT, Logistics and Administration.
• Donor and Legal Compliance standards: Works with the Head of Finance and team to operationalize high quality and efficient processes are carried out that align with donor standards and ensure full compliance with the different donor requirements including financial transactions, bookkeeping, accounting, and financial reporting of the organization; financial planning process, financial management policies and accounting practices.
• Financial Management: Reviews and analyzes financial reports and information and ensures that accurate and timely financial reporting to headquarters, donors and program leads is taking place. Supports and advises the CD in decision making, budgeting and forward expenditure projections. Reviews reporting and monitoring of Financial Management performance metrics, ensures maximum cost recovery following institutional policies. Reviews and monitors contract and ensures compliance to organizational and donor requirements and policies. Consults with CD on contract anomalies and takes appropriate corrective actions. Will be responsible for effective and regular donor liaison and reporting to WWF International donors on grant operational matters. Ensures the country office has strong internal controls in place and appropriate segregation of duties, especially regarding cash transactions. Reviews audit reports and ensures timely and appropriate management response and follow up.
• People and Culture (P&C): Works with the People and Culture Lead and team to ensure: capacity to deliver contracted work is assessed and in place at all times; the successful implementation of the human resource strategy in line with the conservation strategy including, recruitment, hiring, and compensation, benefits administration and oversight, professional training and development, including new employee orientation; retention and succession strategies; regulatory oversight and legal compliance, ensuring that the human resource function is properly resourced and represented within the country leadership team. Leads the speak up and internal investigations that lead to disciplinary hearings. Supports P&C to facilitate across the board the implementation of common performance indicators to achieve breakthrough performance that will link individual work plans to teamwork plans and to office annual work-plan and targets.
• Effective Risk Management and Compliance: Leads the CO’s Risk and Compliance efforts, which include risk identification, risk assessment, mitigation planning, monitoring and review, compliance and control, reporting, and training and support to staff. They ensure that the CO Risk and Management Register is updated with a quarterly follow-up of actions to be taken to mitigate the identified risks; conduct regular reviews at country field projects to identify control gaps and areas of non-compliance with country policies and procedures; support projects in implementing effective processes to ensure full compliance with WWF International’s policies and procedures; and prepare and coordinate internal/external audits, among other compliance issues.
• Program Operations, Program Quality and Administration: Works with the Conservation Head, and others to ensure highly effective program operations across the organization. Ensures that risk management and legal activities (letters of agreement, contracts, leases, and other legal documents and agreements) are meeting organizational standards and comply with national legislation ; reviews business insurance, procurement monitoring and management; ensures the ongoing maintenance and updating of information technology systems and infrastructure; ensures that logistics, security and assets are properly managed for the smooth daily operations for all WWF-CO field offices; promotes effective communications and information flow among key departments and ensures that enabling systems and mechanisms are in place.
• Business and Financial Sustainability Plan: Leads the development and implementation of the WWF UCO’s
• Financial Sustainability Plan to ensure long- term financial sustainability of the organization and alignment between long-term programmatic, financial, and business objectives. Develops and manages Organizational Development (OD) proposal, budget, financial and technical reporting and funding contract for OD in collaboration with WWF Senior Management Team. Track and report on OD impacts and results regularly.
• Focal Point for WWF Network Operational Issues: Represents WWF UCO on WWF Network operational issues including supporting “regional/cross boarder” functions housed or based in WWF UCO. Actively engages at the Network level – with the Regional Africa Office, Secretariat, WWF UCO stakeholders, etc. – on operational issues such as finance, cost recovery, and human resources. Demonstrates experience, insight, and leadership in working with the WWF Global Network on operational issues.
• Building office operational capacity to support conservation agenda: Supports the CLT develop, lead and implement high quality work plans to deliver specific targets for WWF Uganda. Leads the development of annual Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and work plans for all departments and drives implementation of high standards for Uganda programs and functions. Support in planning processes across programmes and across the office.
• Develop systems to assess cross organizational performance: Lead cross departmental design, implementation and measurement impact of initiatives to increase office wide efficiency through regular liaison with Finance, P&C and Conservation teams. Works with Country Director and People and Culture to plan and execute activities that ensure effective leadership practices across all layers of the organizations ensuring that OD and M&E targets are built into individual performance targets. Supports the establishment of change governance mechanisms for procedures, decisions and actions that fall outside of usual business practices.
• Overall responsibility for the implementation of the OD strategy and delivering the OD projects.
• Departmental Oversight: Ensuring that the department is performing effectively, meeting their targets, and operating cohesively.
• Fostering Team Growth: Creating an environment that encourages professional development, collaboration, and innovation of the staff.
• Strategic Alignment: Making sure that team efforts are in line with WWF UCO’s broader strategic objectives.
• Leadership Development: Identifying and nurturing future leaders within the department, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent.
• Deputize for Country Director as requested.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate should hold an Advanced Degree in Management, Finance, Business Administration, International Development, or any other relevant field. They must have a proven track record of a minimum of 10 years part of which should be in senior operational leadership, successfully developing, leading, and managing large-scale operations, programs, and organizations.
• The candidate should demonstrate experience in managing teams, both internal and external, driving effective day-to-day operations, and removing bottlenecks quickly across teams and geographies.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, particularly with International NGOs or in fields like conservation, natural resource management, or international development, will be an added advantage.
• High-level negotiation, facilitation, interpersonal, and influencing skills are crucial, as well as the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships within WWF, across the WWF network, and with external business and not-for-profit communities.
• Proven leadership, financial acumen, and the ability to manage human and financial resources are required.
• The candidate should have experience working in a Matrix and Network organization, leading without formal authority.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with expertise in financial planning, analysis, contracts, and legal compliance, are essential. The skills mix should include organizational development, human resource management, budget and resource development, strategic planning, and familiarity with information technology.
• The ideal candidate should also have strong skills in program and project planning, financing, management, implementation, and evaluation, with successful experience in managing donor grants and relations.
• Excellent people and team-building skills are needed, with the ability to motivate, develop human potential, and thrive in a dynamic work environment.
• The candidate should demonstrate initiative, judgment, flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize under time constraints.
• Superior oral and written communication skills in English are necessary. Integrity, credibility, and a strong commitment to WWF Uganda’s mission are critical, as is adherence to WWF’s values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined, and Engaging, as well as Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration in day-to-day work.

How to Apply:

Email an application cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and contact details of three (3) referees plus copies of academic qualifications (sent as one PDF document) clearly indicating “the job title” in the subject line to: recruitment@wwfuganda.org

Deadline: 18th January 2025

NB: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Kindly note that due to the large volumes of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WWF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to having a diverse workforce

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