Operation Director

About Our Company:

Established in 2005, Whiz Kids Workshop is an Ethiopian-led social enterprise dedicated to fostering a love for learning. Through innovative media and technology, we create engaging educational content covering literacy, health, character development, and more. Our goal is to prepare children, youth, and families for success in life. Our Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) initiatives target individuals and families across all stages of life, supported by our four Innovation Platforms: : Tsehai for Families (pregnancy to age 7), Tsehai Loves Learning (for children aged 3-10), Tibeb Girls (for adolescents aged 11-18), Youth Investigators (for youth above age 18), and Better Wellbeing Advocacy that advocates developmental needs of each life cycle to policymakers and existing governmental structures. We produce culturally relevant content across various media formats and implement projects in diverse community settings. Recognized internationally for our impact and innovation, we collaborate with public, private, NGOs, INGOs, Donors, Foundations and government agencies to drive positive change in education and beyond.

Visit www.whizkidsworkshop.com to learn how we're empowering the next generation.

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to join our team as an Operation Director. The Operation Director will oversee and streamline our organizational operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with our mission and strategic objectives. This position offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation, optimize processes, and contribute to transformative change in education and community development. The operation director should bring extensive experience in operational leadership roles, with a proven track record of success in driving organizational excellence and achieving impactful results. The ideal candidate should possess a deep understanding of operations management principles and best practices, applying this knowledge to drive continuous improvement and innovation. The operation director will be responsible mainly to oversee and support the units under the departments including Talent Management Unit, Finance & Store Unit, Admin & Logistics Unit as well as IT & Data Management Unit. Additionally, the Operation Director will be in charge of external partner communication regarding operational concerns.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plays a pivotal role in reviewing, amending, and ensuring the effective execution of the organizational talent management strategy, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and values.

• Develop financial reports and present to the WKW Leadership team that comprehend the monthly, quarterly and annual findings and insights for improvements.

• Follow up project budgeting & execution as per the underrunning active projects at Whiz Kids meeting all the donor/project reporting & communication compliance & requirements.

• Follow up finance unit for proper implementation of financial systems and ensure 100% accuracy on documentation and reporting

• Conduct proper financial analysis in parallel with the COO to drive key business operation insights and quick action taken for improved efficiency

• Oversight the Administrative and Logistics unit for proper office management and smoother operation for improved productivity of the team.

• Implement efficient & effective procurement & purchase standard that meets internal and external compliance & regulations

• Proper execution on the material purchase, procurement & proper documentation process of the company in alignment with donor compliances

• Oversee the overall organizational IT systems and ensure accountability on company data management unit while ensuring 100% datas are archived & protected from any damage.

• Follow up project execution both in financial and activity performance by reviewing project monthly, quarter and annual reports

• Generate weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual operational reports includes but not limited to; operation department progress reports, sprint execution & performance report, production execution & data management report, and system implementation report.

• Overview organizational meeting and reporting structure ensuring maximum efficiency and execution as per the schedule

• Quality control of the quarterly organizational and project progress reports with its deliverables as per the internal organization standard.

• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures to enhance organizational performance and achieve strategic goals.

• Provide leadership and direction to the operations team, including setting clear objectives, managing performance, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of projects and programs to ensure timely delivery, quality outcomes, and efficient resource utilization.

• Collaborate with department heads and key stakeholders to align operational activities with programmatic objectives and stakeholder expectations.

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions in close collaboration with the M&E team.

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and organizational standards, and manage risk through effective governance and controls.

• Foster a culture of innovation and learning within the organization, encouraging experimentation, creativity, and knowledge sharing.

• Represent the organization in external forums, build strategic partnerships, and advocate for our mission and values.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance & accounting, or a related field;

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role, with at least 5-7 years of progressive experience in operations management, preferably in the nonprofit or social enterprise sector.

• Proven track record of organization financial management and achieving exceptional results towards growth of a company.

• Proven experience on working with various project management, financial management and data analysis & reporting technological systems.

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to complex challenges.

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve excellence.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, with a focus on results and impact.

• Sound & proven financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

• Effective communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a passion for social change and community development.

Other Competencies:

• Project and Product Management:Implement a human-centered approach to sustainable product development, including scoping tasks, scheduling, and efficiently orchestrating multiple activities.

• People and Partnership Management:Facilitate professional development opportunities, provide feedback, assign responsibilities, monitor progress, foster a positive work environment & strengthen/build partnership across various areas.

• Processes and Systems Management:Design and optimize systems, balance organizational needs, and anticipate the impact of process changes on individuals.

The Ideal Candidate skills:

Strategic thinker:

• Demonstrate strategic vision and the ability to develop and implement operational strategies aligned with organizational goals.

• Analyze complex challenges and identify innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Inspire and motivate teams to achieve excellence in their roles.

• Provide clear direction and guidance, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Tech savvy:

• Utilize company wide systems to ensure proper collaboration, communication & reporting with the team.

• Tech-savvy on existing and future systems to elevate efficiency and effectiveness across multiple functions.

Results-oriented:

• Focus on outcomes and impact, driving performance and accountability across operational functions.

• Set ambitious goals and benchmarks progress, adapting strategies as needed to achieve desired results.

• Collaborative communicator:

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration.

• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, ensuring alignment and understanding of operational objectives and priorities.

Financial acumen:

• Demonstrate sound financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.

• Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures, maximizing efficiency and optimizing resource utilization.

Change agent:

• Embrace innovation and drive organizational change to adapt to evolving needs and opportunities.

• Promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement, fostering experimentation and adaptation to new ways of working.

Adaptable and resilient:

• Thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and challenges with composure and resilience.

• Maintain flexibility and agility in responding to changing circumstances and shifting priorities.

Ethical and values-driven:

• Demonstrate integrity, transparency, and a commitment to ethical conduct in all aspects of operations.

• Uphold and promote the organization's core values and mission, inspiring others to do the same.