Chief Operating Officer
Ipas

Job Info

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The COO partners with the CEO as part of the US Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in leading Ipas operations and furthering our vision of a networked organization that has embraced shared leadership and horizontal decision-making practices. The COO oversees country programs in approximately 18 countries across four continents by supporting country leaders in executing their country strategies. The COO is also responsible for the overall management and oversight of the US consolidating node working in partnership with the CEO and the CFO, leading key functional areas including Program Support Management, and US Human Resources. The COO is a critical player in the overall success of the Ipas network and works with staff across the network, including network management bodies, to create a culture that embraces different viewpoints and models shared leadership.

Supporting and Executing Excellently

The Chief Operating Officer guides and oversees Ipas's program countries and the US consolidated node, to ensure accountability and cost-efficiency. The COO, working with the the Program Support Team, is accountable for awards signed by the Network Consolidation entity and integrity and viability of operations under the Network Consolidation. The COO establishes and maintains strong oversight of fiscal management for the country programs and the Network consolidating node by partnering with the CFO and other members of the Finance team in addition to supporting country and regional directors on programmatic, personnel, and operational issues. The COO also looks to improve business processes and drive the adoption of new or revised processes in the network.

Specific functions include, but are not limited to:

• Work with the CEO to provide information and counsel to the US Board of Directors to ensure they can perform their governance functions
  
• Leadership of HR and Program Support Team: Provide guidance, leadership, and performance improvement paths to direct reports. Create space for regular and actionable feedback on performance and customer engagement.
  
• Working closely with CFO on relevant issues while finding a balance of equity and fiscal responsibility on behalf of the organization.
  
• Partnership with Finance in budget monitoring and tracking, creation of organizational budget, and compliance with donor requirements.
  
• Works closely with US Programs Director to ensure sound US fiscal sponsorship program
  
• Leads and manages compliance with the Network Collaboration Agreement for each implementing node in the Ipas Network.
  
• Works with legal counsel to create, revise and update as needed collaboration agreements and standard operating procedures between the Network Consolidating Node and the Implementing Nodes
  
• Responsible for Network Nodes Board program to orient, support and connect locally registered nodes including:
  
• leadership to manage their boards
• providing guidance and training for Ipas Staff who serve on local Ipas Node Boards
• creating and negotiating the collaboration agreement between the Network Consolidating Node and the Locally registered Node
• advise and monitoring registration status of country nodes and provide legal review of local board and registration documents for alignment with the Network Consolidation.

• Partner with network management bodies to ensure alignment between the consolidating function and the organizational vision and culture.
  

Risk Management

• Support the Network risk management system through regular participation. Operationalize and support compliance with Network policies through practical and contextual procedures.
  
• Works closely with CFO, Director of Network Risk and the Global People Manager to evaluate and operationalize recommendations on risk response plans for the Network and through the Program Support Directors for country programs.
  
• Encourage responsible risk taking and management and foster collaboration and mutual accountability instead of command and control. Encourage creativity and curiosity to meet the needs of Network and the people we serve. Embrace agility and having multiple options to achieve the balance of stewardship and impact.
  

Network Alignment

• Be available to advise the Network Leadership Group, NetCARE ,and teams from across the Network on operational and award assurance issues. Delegate to and/or connect with folks from across the Network to learn from a diversity of experience and to develop solutions closer to problems.
  
• Collaborate with Network governance and management teams, for alignment on consolidation and network accountabilities and interdependencies.
  

Collaborating to make it all happen

• Collaboration is a core value at Ipas and everyone works on a team. This position works with numerous teams including the US senior leadership team, Regional and Country Directors, network management bodies, and others at all levels of the organization. Mentorship is an important aspect of this role as we aim to build leadership throughout the organization.
  

• Ipas has an innovative organizational model which requires self-awareness of power and positionality. The COO will work with different management groups in the organization bringing ideas and information while also learning from others. Listening is a key skill for success.
  

Other duties, as needed and assigned.

Requirements:

Minimum

• Master's Degree in relevant field OR equivalent work experience.
  

• 10-15 years of experience managing non-profit programs in low- and middle-income countries
  

• Knowledge of the international NGO sector
  

• Strong experience in managing, leading and overseeing country programs within a matrixed organization.
  

• Experience in managing complex initiatives in multiple countries
  

• Experience in equity driven organizations.
  

• Experience and comfort working in organizations working to reduce hierarchy and increase horizontal decision-making.
  

• Experience with HR and its related processes in non-US settings.
  

• Strong background and comfort with finance, budgeting, financial reporting, audits
  

• Experience living and working in a non-US or European country
  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
  

• Proficiency in all Microsoft office products
  

• Ability to travel internationally up to 20% of the time
  

Preferred

• Fluency in English and at least one additional Ipas working language
  

• Experience working in a decentralized and diverse organization and/or networked organization.
  

• Track record of leading through strategic influence rather than authoritative structures
  

• Experience and expertise in sexual and reproductive health and rights, specifically abortion.
  

Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity. We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, caste, ethnicity, regional identity, tribal identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy. Ipas acknowledges that these personal characteristics may differ in different contexts.

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