Operations and Programmes Advisor

Job description

Company Description
We are SNV
SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate.

Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems.

We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our CARE principles—
Committed to Impact
,
Adaptive to Context
,
Respecting Differences
, and
Expertise in Practice
—are at the heart of who we are and the work we do.

These principles are embedded in our vision, mission, and strategy, which serve as our compass guiding us towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website:
Job Description
We are currently looking for a:
Operations and Programmes Advisor (OPA)

• Contract duration: two-year initial national contract
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya

If you enjoy being at the centre of operations—shaping how things work, connecting teams, and driving impact across countries—this is a role where you will truly thrive.

You will be part of a new and ambitious team, playing a key role in how we operate globally and making a real difference across our country programmes.


Position Overview
We are looking for an
Operations and Programmes Advisor
who will be the operational anchor of our newly formed six-person Country Programmes team, enabling excellence across 22 countries in Asia, West Africa, and East & Southern Africa.

While you will not manage people directly, you will influence across the organisation—supporting senior leadership, streamlining processes, and driving data-informed decision-making through smart dashboards, risk insights, and operational controls.

If you have a background in operations, compliance, or finance—especially within an international NGO—and you are ready to be the go-to person for clarity, coordination, and impact, this is your opportunity to shape how we work and leave a lasting mark.

Key Responsibilities

• Analysing available finance, risk & compliance, business development and people related reports to support decisions taken by Director of Country Programmes (DCP) and Deputy Directors of Country Programmes (DDCPs) in ensuring smooth coordination and compliance with internal policies and processes by country programs.
  
  
• Developing and maintaining operational dashboards based on country reporting to provide insights that support data-driven decision-making.
  
  
• Supporting DDCPs to ensure timely delivery of key reports (CAM, CAP, MYR, PPPRs) by tracking overviews and collaborating with the business control teams to tailor insights for country needs.
  
  
• Ensuring process support to DDCPs during country program start-ups, transitions, and close-downs in line with SNV's standardized procedures by ensuring adherence to internal audit guidelines.
  
  
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing across country teams, ensuring operational best practices are disseminated and implemented effectively.
  
  
• Identifying and flagging potential risks related to operations or policy compliance, advising the DDCPs on corrective actions.
  
  
• Promoting continuous improvement in operations, focusing on finance, procurement, logistics, and risk management.
  
  

Qualifications

Who You Are
You are someone who thrives in complexity and sees opportunity in building from scratch.

You bring order where others see chaos, and you love shaping systems that drive clarity and impact.

A natural connector, you work across teams and regions, aligning people around shared goals.

You lead through influence, not authority—earning trust and engaging senior stakeholders with confidence.

Calm under pressure, you keep things moving even when challenges arise.

You think strategically, communicate clearly across cultures, and bring humility to everything you do.

If you're energised by solving problems and making a real difference—this is your kind of role.

What You Bring
To succeed in this role, you bring a strong foundation in operations, compliance, and program management—ideally within an international NGO or development context.

Essential qualifications:

• A Master's degree in business, operations management, or a related field
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in country operations, finance, or compliance
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional collaboration across finance, risk, and people teams
• Expertise in data analysis tools like Excel and Power BI
• Strong communication skills and comfort working in intercultural environments
• Agility to adapt to changing contexts and deliver results in dynamic settings

Beyond your credentials, you are:

• Proactive and focused on continuous improvement
• Collaborative in problem-solving and knowledge sharing
• Committed to inclusivity, diversity, and ethical operations
• Skilled at driving operational excellence across multi-country contexts
• Resilient and adaptable in fast-paced, changing environments
• A confident communicator who engages senior stakeholders with clarity and patience
• Process-driven and able to translate bottlenecks into actionable insights
• Influential across teams, fostering alignment through horizontal collaboration

If you're ready to be the go-to person for clarity, coordination, and impact—this is your opportunity to shape how we work and leave a lasting mark.

Additional Information

Working at SNV
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth.

We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts.

At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in.

We promote (international) career development.

Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with external backgrounds and experience.

All with an inquisitive view and united in '
ONE SNV'
working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos.

We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Other Information

• Contract type: Two-year initial national contract
• Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
• Expected start date: January 2026

How To Apply
If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity, we warmly welcome your application.

Please submit your
CV and motivation letter
by
12th November 2025
via SmartRecruiters.

To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process, we kindly ask that you apply
only if you meet the essential qualifications
and are
available to work in the specified location
.

If this role isn't the right fit but you're interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile.

Reference & vetting check
At SNV, our belief in the
CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice
— shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve.

These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all internationally determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding.

You will be invited to provide the contact details of (two) referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission.

We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

In line with our safeguarding commitments — and as a proud participant in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will also request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s).

This request covers any substantiated findings of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, as defined by the Scheme.

This process is not only a safeguard for our organisation, but also part of our shared responsibility to protect those we work with and to ensure that integrity, respect, and compassion remain at the heart of everything we do.

Required Skill Profession

Other General