About the Role
Role Locations: India, Kenya, Peru, Rwanda, Nepal, UK. We can also consider Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Bolivia on a case-by-case basis.
We are seeking a high calibre Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee and develop our Group services so that we are effective as possible in delivering against our purpose. Our work reaches from communities on the frontline of climate disaster to governments and businesses, from the local to the global, and we need to ensure that we remain grounded in principles of partnership and impact. We have 400 staff and a range of partners based in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
Reporting to the CEO, the COO will be an integral member of the Global Leadership Team. We are currently in the process of finalizing our 2025 – 2030 strategy and the post-holder will play a central role in transforming Practical Action for the future.
The role holder will line manage Heads of Department for Group Finance, People and Culture, Operations, Information Technology and Business Services, and the Company Secretary, with additional ‘dotted line’ responsibilities for operational Country Managers.
As well as effective financial and operational leadership, we are looking for someone able to take a strategic and practical approach to the way that our systems, policies and structures develop for the future. Critical will be ensuring that the Group is delivering high quality services for users across the world in a way that enables Practical Action to deliver effectively against its purpose, with strong financial and risk management. Key to this role will be excellent business partnering with Regional and Functional Directors.
Our COO will play a key role in ensuring Practical Action lives its values both internally and externally, and that we continue to commit to shift power and decentralise. The post-holder will be an important steward of our culture, ensuring that Practical Action is an inclusive, welcoming place to work and that colleagues remain empowered, focused and attached to our positive impact with communities around the world.
Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities
This is a broad role spanning strategic leadership, finance, people and culture, operations, IT & business services, and governance:
- Play a key role in the strategic leadership of Practical Action as part of the Global Leadership Team, reporting directly into the CEO and interfacing closely with the Board, including having responsibility for the management of our Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and Governance and People Committee.
- Lead the development of Practical Action’s financial strategy and planning, working alongside finance leaders across the Group.
- Lead a cross-functional team responsible for the development and implementation of an organisation-wide planning and reporting approach that is future focused, agile, data informed and aligned to the delivery of Practical Action’s mission.
- Play a central role in defining and stewarding the culture of Practical Action alongside the Global Leadership Team and People and Culture colleagues.
- Oversee operations ensuring strong compliance and risk management and award management.
- Lead oversight and responsibility for safety and security across the group.
- Lead and manage the IT function across the group, ensuring our IT services support the needs of the organisation
- Oversee the development, management and governance of organisational policies, ensuring that our governance is fit for purpose.