Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About Raising The Village

Raising The Village is dedicated to creating sustainable routes out of extreme poverty through data-driven, community-designed, and partnership-scaled initiatives. Currently active in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, RTV has positively impacted over two million individuals. The organization operates with a vision to empower last-mile rural communities via integrated developmental solutions combining technology, data, and partnerships.

Role Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will spearhead the strategic and operational leadership across global RTV operations, ensuring robust systems and infrastructure that allow for expansion and enhanced impact throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will oversee critical functions including Procurement, Facilities, Fleet, IT (excluding Venn), Legal, Health & Safety, and Operational Planning (excluding Programs), steering operational excellence and effective collaboration with digital platforms and program initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct RTV's global operational strategy and execution alignment to support scaling efforts across multiple countries.
• Develop and maintain operational systems to ensure cost-effective logistics, strong program delivery, and compliance with donor and governmental regulations.
• Create playbooks and frameworks to facilitate rapid expansion into new regions and promote interdepartmental coordination.
• Lead and mentor operational teams, fostering talent development to meet organizational growth demands.
• Enhance digital infrastructure, including deployment, vendor management, and connectivity, focusing on rural and low-bandwidth environments.
• Implement and monitor cybersecurity measures to safeguard systems and data.
• Establish and enforce data governance policies to secure data collection, management, and usage across diverse programs and partnerships.
• Oversee legal, compliance, and risk management frameworks at global and country levels, ensuring effective contract governance and adherence to regulatory standards.

Strategic Priorities (First 24 months)

• Integrate and expand operational models for direct implementation and digital service delivery.
• Institute robust data governance and cybersecurity systems, aiming for 95% compliance with data privacy standards across multiple jurisdictions.
• Develop scalable procurement and logistics processes optimizing cost and efficiency for rural livelihood programs and regional growth.
• Enhance leadership engagement and operational capacity, aiming for 90%+ retention in critical roles and improved leadership position fill rates annually.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 15 years in senior leadership roles within international development, technology-driven programs, or large-scale nonprofits, preferably with multi-sector expertise.
• A graduate degree, preferably MA or MSc, in related fields such as international development, business administration, public policy, or technology management.
• Proven expertise in governance, compliance, and risk management in complex, multi-country contexts, including navigating donor and governmental requirements.
• Demonstrated success managing operations or programs across sub-Saharan Africa or similar emerging markets.
• Experience with digital platforms and data-centric program models is advantageous.
• Solid background in financial, project, and operational management.
• Strong adaptability, resilience, and change management capabilities in dynamic environments.
• Ability to foster system-wide integration linking strategy to operational execution across geographical and functional teams.
• Skills in leadership development and cultivating high-performing, transparent, and trusting organizational cultures.

Location and Travel

• The COO position is based at one of RTV’s operational hubs within sub-Saharan Africa, collaborating closely with regional teams and the Toronto headquarters.
• Frequent travel is required, approximately 25–35%, including visits to remote and rural program areas.
• The role demands comfort in working across diverse settings and engaging directly with community and government stakeholders.

Diversity and Inclusion

Raising The Village values diversity and inclusion, actively encouraging women candidates to apply for this role.