Chief Operating Officer 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Gulu, Uganda

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to define and execute the organization’s long-term goals, ensuring alignment with our mission to promote sustainable agroforestry practices and address extreme poverty.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee the daily operations of the organization, including field operations, agroforestry project implementation, and resource management.
• Ensure the efficiency, scalability, and sustainability of projects from planning through execution.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop department heads and operational staff to foster a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Implement leadership development programs to strengthen the team’s skills and capabilities.

Sustainability & Compliance

• Promote sustainable practices across all areas of the business, ensuring that operations minimize environmental impact and contribute to long-term ecological and social responsibility.

Financial & Budget Management

• Oversee the financial health of the organization, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Ensure financial performance aligns with operational objectives while maintaining cost efficiency.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, and strategic risks across the organization.
• Ensure potential risks are proactively managed to minimize disruption and protect company assets.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with other departments, including research, community engagement, advocacy, and policy, to ensure the successful implementation of agroforestry projects and organizational goals.
• Encourage cross-functional collaboration for shared success.

Innovation & Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by fostering a culture of innovation.
• Encourage teams to experiment with new ideas, refine existing processes, and adopt emerging technologies that optimize performance.

Reporting & Communication

• Regularly report on operational performance, key performance indicators (KPIs), and progress to the CEO and board of directors.
• Maintain transparent communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Project & Resource Management

• Supervise large-scale projects and ensure proper resource allocation, budget adherence, and progress tracking.

Core Values

• We Get Things Done.
• We Are Always Growing (Grow or Die).
• We Strive for Greatness / Excellence.
• We Lead Through Service – we’re never above picking up a hoe to help.
• We Do the Right Thing Even When No One is Watching.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the bigger picture and take proactive steps to achieve company goals.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Project Management: Expertise in overseeing large projects and initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Collaboration: Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including communities, government bodies, NGOs, and environmental organizations.
• Leadership Style: Strong communicator with an inclusive leadership style, able to inspire and lead cross-functional teams towards common goals.

Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience with a track record of managing teams and overseeing complex operations, ideally within forestry, agriculture, or manufacturing sectors.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree (MBA) is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications are an added advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics.
• Strong knowledge of corporate finance and financial strategy.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY