Senior Operations Officer

Job Title

Senior Operations Officer

Location

Freetown, Sierra Leone, with regular travel to programme locations and district offices as required.

Reporting and Management

Reports to the Operations Manager and serves as the deputy to the Operations Manager, assuming delegated management and oversight responsibilities in their absence. Works closely with programme, finance, procurement, IT, MERL, HR and leadership teams, and manages designated operations staff and service providers.

Job Summary

This role sits within the forthcoming Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Sierra Leone programme, a Government of Sierra Leone initiative to be implemented by Lɛ Wi Lan (LWL), in partnership with Transforming Teaching, Education and Learning (T-TEL) and other partners, with funding support from the Mastercard Foundation. LWL is a Sierra Leonean-led organisation committed to advancing education transformation nationally. Its vision is transformed education for development in Sierra Leone, and its mission is to provide educational technical assistance in close partnership with government to promote quality education and inclusive growth. The Senior Operations Officer provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure efficient, compliant and effective organisational operations. The post-holder supports oversight of administration, procurement, logistics, assets, facilities, risk management, compliance and operational systems. The role deputises for the Operations Manager and helps ensure seamless day-to-day organisational functioning and high-quality support to programme delivery.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership and Management
  • Support leadership of organisational operations and service delivery.
  • Deputise for the Operations Manager as required.
  • Monitor implementation of operational plans and priorities.
• Procurement, Logistics and Administration
  • Support procurement processes and vendor management.
  • Lead logistics planning and coordination to support effective implementation of programme activities, including workshops, trainings, meetings, field visits and district-level activities.
  • Oversee timely provision of transport, venues, accommodation, supplies, equipment and other operational inputs required for activity delivery.
• Health, Safety, Office and Security Management
  • Oversee implementation of health and safety procedures across offices, programme sites and activity locations.
  • Ensure office premises are safe, functional, well maintained and compliant with organisational standards and statutory requirements.
  • Coordinate security arrangements for staff, visitors, assets, offices and field movements, including incident reporting and escalation where required.
  • Maintain readiness for emergencies through appropriate procedures, communication protocols and staff awareness.
• Compliance, Risk and Systems
  • Ensure compliance with organisational policies and donor requirements.
  • Support risk management, internal controls and audit processes.
  • Strengthen operational systems and procedures.
• Facilities, Fleet and Asset Management
  • Oversee management of facilities, equipment and organisational assets.
  • Oversee fleet management, maintenance arrangements and fuel management, including usage monitoring, fuel records and controls.
• Staff Supervision and Capacity Building
  • Supervise designated operations staff.
  • Coach and mentor team members and promote continuous improvement.
  • Promote safeguarding, gender equity and disability inclusion across operations.
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties assigned by the Operations Manager or senior leadership.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Procurement, Logistics, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant operational management experience, with at least 5 years in a senior supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of procurement, administration, logistics and compliance systems.
• Experience managing teams, budgets, contracts and service providers.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding, accountability and operational excellence.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a copy of their CV and a cover letter explaining why they are suitable for the role which they are applying for.