Operations Manager

SafeStart is a nonprofit organisation implementing a Community-Based Chlorine Access (CBCA) model in rural Kano State, Nigeria. Our programme distributes low-cost chlorine solution to households through a network of community-based redemption agents, with the goal of increasing safe water consumption and reducing waterborne disease. The model is backed by a randomised controlled trial. We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: Remote Contract Type: Full-time

Reports To: Co-founder Role Overview Our whole model rests on delivery, and delivery rests on strong operations. Chlorine only reaches households if procurement, supply, payments and people systems work every day. The Operations Manager leads finance, procurement, supply chain, people operations and compliance across the US and Nigeria, and is a core part of how SafeStart delivers and grows. We're early enough that you'll set up many of these processes yourself, not just follow them. The role suits someone who likes clean systems, gets things finished, and is comfortable being the person who knows where everything is.

Responsibilities

Finance Operations: Run payments, reimbursements, per diems and field cash management, following approved budgets and controls. Keep the books up to date in Xero: coding, bank reconciliations, receipts and month-end close. Produce monthly budget-versus-actuals reports and cash forecasts, and flag variances early. Prepare the financial parts of donor reports and help with audits and grant compliance. Procurement & Supply Chain: Manage chlorine procurement, deliveries and third-party warehousing in Kano, including stock reconciliations against distribution data. Run procurement for equipment, services and consultants: quotes, contracts, purchase records and value for money. Keep the asset register and track equipment issued to field staff. Manage event procurement, planning and bookings. People Operations: Handle contracts, onboarding, off-boarding and personnel files for staff and consultants in Nigeria, working with our employer-of-record and partner organisations. Coordinate payroll inputs, leave records and HR policies. Support recruitment logistics: posting roles, scheduling, reference checks and offers. Compliance, Systems & Admin: Track statutory filings and registrations in the US and Nigeria, including Nigerian data protection (NDPA) requirements, working with our legal advisors. Maintain our Microsoft 365 setup: SharePoint structure, user accounts, permissions and templates. Keep policies, SOPs and document control current as we grow. Take on operations work for new programmes as SafeStart expands. Executive Support: Manage the co-founders' diaries across time zones (US, Nigeria, South Africa). Schedule and prioritise meetings with partners, donors, government and the team. Book and coordinate travel for the co-founders and staff: flights, accommodation, ground transport, visas and security check-ins. Keep costs within the travel policy and budget. Prepare for key meetings. Circulate agendas and papers in advance, take notes where needed, and track actions and follow-ups to completion. What We're Looking For Essential: At least 4 years in operations, finance or grants management, ideally at an NGO, social enterprise or donor-funded programme. Hands-on bookkeeping experience in Xero or similar, and confident in Excel: reconciliations, budgets, forecasts. Experience with procurement and with supply or inventory management. Very organised and precise, and you finish what you start. You set up systems rather than working around them. Clear written English, and comfortable working remotely with little supervision. Reliable internet and power where you're based. Desirable: Experience operating in Nigeria (payments, procurement, statutory requirements) or across several countries. Experience with US nonprofit finance or donor compliance. Experience with Microsoft 365 or SharePoint admin, or automation tools.