Operations Lead (Senior Manager)

GiveDirectly Mozambique is growing – delivering large lump sum transfers at scale, developing tech-enabled delivery models, and building the operational infrastructure needed to support a significantly larger program. We're looking for an Operations Lead to strengthen the support systems and staff to operate with excellence at scale. This role will lead procurement, logistics, HR, and administrative functions end-to-end, working closely with the Country Director and collaborating with Programs, Finance, Internal Audit and Safeguarding teams.

The ideal candidate combines strong operational expertise – particularly in procurement, logistics, and HR – with the leadership skills to build and mentor a growing team. You thrive in a fast-paced, non-hierarchical environment, are comfortable making decisions with limited precedent, and bring a bias toward action and practical problem-solving.

Reports to: Country Director

Level: Senior Manager

Travel requirement:  Regular travel within Mozambique to field offices and program sites. Must be able to travel 1-2 times per year internationally for team retreats.

What you'll do

Build and lead the Mozambique operations team

• Lead the GD Moz Operations team, including procurement, logistics, administration, and HR functions.
• Provide line management to the Office & Procurement Manager and Human Resources Manager, while supporting them to build high-performing, appropriately specialised teams.
• Create clear roles, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures that enable the team to operate independently and at a high standard.
• Build the team's capacity over time, driving best practice and coaching managers to develop operations management excellence.

Contribute to cost-effective systems for scale

• Help design and build systems and processes capable of supporting a larger program, identifying future needs (e.g. strategic partnerships, team capacity, technology solutions).
• Drive measurable improvements in back-office processes, running regular analyses on speed, cost, resilience and controls.
• Identify and implement opportunities to use AI and other digital solutions to improve the scalability of operations.

Leadership to procurement, logistics and administration

• Oversee Procurement & Administration function through the Office & Procurement Manager, identifying bottlenecks and improving systems.
• Develop and support implementation of a procurement strategy to ensure an efficient, responsive, high-quality, and resilient supply of goods and services.
• Lead logistics and fleet management, ensuring efficient and reliable transport and distribution across Mozambique's operations.
• Oversee budgeting and procurement planning to ensure needs are forecast and operations run smoothly.
• Use data to conduct analyses to identify opportunities to improve procurement and logistics efficiency and value for money.

Support compliance and risk management

• Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks, maintaining a risk register and putting mitigations in place.
• Ensure operations meet GiveDirectly's global policy standards and local regulatory requirements, adapting for the Mozambique context.
• Work with GiveDirectly's Corporate Audit function to support internal audits and build systems for a strong control environment across assets, inventory, fleet, procurement and office security.
• Closely collaborate with Finance teams for timely, efficient payment processes, facilitate external audits, and ensure compliance.

Oversee HR

• Oversee HR function through the HR Manager, identifying bottlenecks and improving systems.
• Support the Country Director in implementing and iterating on GiveDirectly Mozambique's people strategy to scale the team while building talent density.
• Support the HR team to deliver initiatives that strengthen team culture and reinforce GiveDirectly's values as the organisation scales.
• Drive best practice across recruitment, learning and development, performance management, and HR operations.

What you'll bring

• Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. 
• Significant experience (6+ years) in operations management, with strong expertise in procurement and logistics.
• A track record of strengthening operational functions – taking systems from ad hoc toward structured, compliant, and scalable.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, with experience managing operational budgets and driving cost-effectiveness.
• Experience managing and developing teams, including recruiting and mentoring staff.
• Experience overseeing or working closely with HR functions (recruitment, performance management, learning and development, culture building).
• Comfort in a fast-paced and changing environment that involves a degree of ambiguity and requires figuring things out with limited precedent.
• Highly analytical with a strong attention to detail and a bias toward data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with INGO standards, donor compliance frameworks, internal controls, and audit processes.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills and experience working effectively in matrixed organisations.
• Experience and aptitude leveraging new technologies and AI to advance operational effectiveness. Comfort with an agile and iterative approach.
• Knowledge of Mozambique's regulatory environment for NGO operations, procurement, and employment law is an advantage.
• Language Requirement: English fluency required; Portuguese fluency is a plus.