Chief Operating Officer

About Lead For Ghana

Lead For Ghana is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders, advancing knowledge and technology, and optimizing organizational performance. Through comprehensive youth capacity development programs, cutting-edge research and technology, and expert consultancy services, we empower young individuals and institutions to achieve excellence, drive strategic growth, and create sustainable impact in their respective fields.

Position Summary

LFG is seeking a visionary, entrepreneurial, strategic, and mission-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) who will be charged with defining and overseeing the strategic direction and daily operations of Lead For Ghana. The work of the COO is centered around the ability to invest and engage external stakeholders as vital partners in our work and to develop a high-performing, results-oriented team. Additionally, the COO will be responsible for personnel management, organisational growth, financial sustainability that will allow Lead For Ghana to implement its mission and reach ambitious goals. As COO, this individual will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors, and will manage the staff leadership team.

Responsibilities:

Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Work in tandem with the Board of Directors in setting the vision and strategy for the organization

• Manage leaders of each operating area to set and achieve ambitious goals within their realms

• Build a results-driven national board with members who have the influence and networks necessary to help achieve organization goals

• Enforce a strong core values based organizational culture among staff

External Engagement & Outreach

• Building understanding of and support for Lead For Ghana including garnering the financial resources necessary for Lead For Ghana's operations and expansion efforts to grow and ensure the ongoing engagement and support of a sustainable, diversified funding base that will include support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and public funding
• Cultivate strong relationships with strategic external stakeholders and evolve a strategy for maintaining and growing these relationships
• Serve as the external face of the organization in order to bolster the organization's brand through high-impact visits, conversations, and events

Operations and Resource Management

• Develop and oversee the organization’s budget

• Assist the creation and enforcement of the organization’s financial policies and procedures

• Set the organizational policy and benefits for LFG's employees

• Develop sound Human Resources practices to recruit, select, develop and retain high performing staff members

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability in a fast-paced, changing environment.

• Professionalism, flexibility, and teamwork.

• Effective relationship building with all organizational levels.

• Strong stakeholder management skills.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

• Efficient task, resource, and time management.

Educational Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in business administration, education or policy a plus

• Experience building strong relationships with a broad base of stakeholders

• Proven track record of managing a team to results in increasingly complex circumstances highly preferred

• A proven track record in working with budgets and finance, combined with an entrepreneurial orientation towards
  fundraising preferred

Technical Proficiency:

• Visionary, strategic, and analytical leader– The individual must have sufficient leadership qualities to manage and
  guide the organization
• Must be values-driven, self-motivated, critical thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Must have a deep conviction of LFG's Theory of Change
• Must have the ability to develop strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and to influence and motivate
  others
• Desire and ability to navigate complex situations, problem solve and make sound decisions
• Ability to develop strategic plans in a start-up environment and execute successfully against that plan
• Exemplify Lead For Ghana's core values
• Must be an inspiring and effective written and oral communicator to a wide array of audiences

Values and Mindsets

• Continuous learning and improvement mindset

• Adherence to our core values and beliefs

• Humility, maturity, and a teachable spirit

Note:

• Evening and occasional weekend work required.
• This job description is a guide and may evolve with organizational needs.