Manager, Portfolio Operations and Planning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of and manage a cohesive portfolio plan that aligns with Fika's strategic goals and Global Adoption & Influence OKRs.

• Convert priorities into actionable workstreams, milestones, designated owners, decision points, resource assumptions, and measurable outcomes.

• Facilitate monthly portfolio reviews and quarterly planning sessions, ensuring clear follow-through on actions and decisions.

• Create dashboards and executive reports that reflect progress, capacity, trade-offs, and confidence in delivery.

• Assist in prioritization when new opportunities or resource constraints impact the agreed-upon portfolio.

• Coordinate project delivery among Digital, Research and Data, Programs, Marketing, Development, and country teams.

• Define and uphold decision rights, utilizing RAPID frameworks where applicable.

• Oversee dependencies, transitions, decision logs, and escalation points among teams.

• Provide leadership in program management for key cross-functional priorities, including the Safe Access Scorecard.

• Ensure that decisions are converted into accountable actions with effective follow-through.

• Maintain a comprehensive overview of portfolio-level risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies, and mitigation strategies.

• Monitor budgets, forecasts, and expenditures across relevant workstreams in collaboration with the Finance team.

• Manage the operational aspects concerning consultants, contracts, and external partners.

• Identify capacity and resource gaps, proposing practical solutions to address them.

• Ensure that records and processes comply with Fika's financial, contracting, and operational policies.

• Design and facilitate meeting and review rhythms for the portfolio.

• Keep track of key decisions, actions, workstream documentation, and version control.

• Develop templates, standard operating procedures, and tools to enable cross-functional delivery.

• Maintain an intake and evaluation process for events, partnerships, and emerging opportunities.

• Evaluate and refine operating processes based on delivery experiences, performance metrics, and feedback from the team.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in programme or portfolio management, strategy and operations, consulting, or international development.

• A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.

• Proven experience managing complex, multi-workstream initiatives across different functions, geographies, or institutions.

• Proficiency in work planning, OKRs, risk management, budgeting, resource allocation, and executive-level reporting.

• Exceptional facilitation, judgment, problem-solving abilities, and written communication skills.

• Capacity to establish structure, highlight trade-offs, and foster accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Ability to influence within a matrix organization and cultivate trust with senior leaders and delivery teams.

• Strong expertise in digital project management, collaboration, dashboard, and workflow tools.

• Some early morning or evening meetings may be necessary for coordination across time zones.

• International travel may be required based on strategic priorities.

• Preferred: Experience working in Africa and/or in the global development sector.

• Preferred: Familiarity with government, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), bilateral institutions, or complex institutional partnerships.

• Preferred: Experience in supporting evidence-based, digital-product, or policy-to-implementation portfolios.

• Preferred: Familiarity with Salesforce, data dashboards, automation, or AI-driven workflows.

• Preferred: Professional fluency in French, Spanish, or Swahili.

• Application must include a motivation letter limited to one page.

• CV should be a maximum of two pages, emphasizing relevant diplomas, degrees, and recognized certifications.

• CV must exclude personal details and non-certified training.

🏝️ Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements.

• Comprehensive support for mental and physical wellness.

• Annual salary reviews in line with Fika's compensation policy.

• Opportunities for professional advancement.

• Targeted development programs.

• Reasonable accommodations during the application and employment process.