Senior Global Director of Country Operations

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

📋 Description

• Enhance and standardize operations within the country.

• Establish clear roles, precise accountability, and effective operational routines.

• Design and implement straightforward, scalable operating models across HR, finance, procurement, compliance, IT, security, and risk.

• Integrate global standards in context-sensitive ways that minimize friction, ensuring funds reach their intended recipients more quickly and reliably.

• Represent and coordinate the realities of country offices in the setting of global standards, prioritization, and resource allocation.

• Ensure the adoption of global standards in a manner that is contextually relevant, user-friendly, meaningful, and thorough.

• Oversee financial management for all country offices ($350M+/year), ensuring that budgets support scalability and mitigate risks.

• Establish clear KPIs, dashboards, and operational reviews to uphold cost-efficiency.

• Manage new country launches and compliant wind-downs using clear playbooks and risk mitigation strategies.

• Collaborate across functions to ensure seamless execution.

• Convert operational insights into repeatable systems, tools, and automation that minimize manual tasks.

• Advocate for continuous improvement and the adoption of technology to scale efficiently and effectively.

• Maintain a global risk management framework and lead or support crisis management initiatives when necessary.

• Act as the operational link between country leadership and global teams, ensuring that priorities are adequately resourced and executed consistently.

• Collaborate with the COO to update roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities, clarifying the division between country directors and global shared services departments.

• Lead an operations and finance working group to identify and test significant efficiency improvements at scale using budget and process data, followed by piloting changes.

• Launch a new country office in a crisis-affected region within 3 months.

• Systematize contracting approval processes to reduce cycle time by 50% while maintaining compliance and auditability.

⛳️ Requirements

• A proactive thinker and systems architect, capable of addressing current challenges while preparing for future opportunities.

• Proven track record of achieving results and taking on increasing responsibilities.

• A "doer"—someone who successfully executes tasks in a lean, fast-paced, and hands-on environment.

• Exceptional ability to influence and manage a diverse range of stakeholders, including expertise in change management.

• Competent at managing a variety of responsibilities reliably and efficiently.

• Diverse professional background, demonstrating adaptability in high-performing environments, such as AI/tech, management consulting, or other sectors.

• Broad operational experience across functions including finance, HR, procurement, compliance, ethics, IT, auditing, and/or risk management.

• Extensive experience living and/or working in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Passionate about the values and mission of GD.

🏝️ Benefits

• A positive and supportive team with opportunities for career advancement.

• A strong commitment to fostering staff development and growth.

• A competitive salary package, inclusive of bonuses.

• A comprehensive health benefits plan (specific details may vary by country).

• Flexible paid time off.

• Allowances for desk setup and professional development.