Chief Operating Officer
Background:
IRDNC is a pioneering Namibian Non-Governmental Organisation committed to empowering communities through sustainable natural resource management. We work across diverse landscapes to support Community Based Organisations including conservancies, transboundary conservation areas, and nature-based enterprises that promote conservation and improve livelihoods.
Job Profile:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our senior leadership team. The COO will play a critical role in driving operational effectiveness, strategic growth, financial sustainability and programmatic impact. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to transformative community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programs and landscape-level conservation across Namibia and transboundary areas.
Purpose of the role:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director, providing visionary leadership and operational excellence across IRDNC. The COO is responsible for driving organisational performance, ensuring financial sustainability, and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. This role oversees all core functions including fundraising, grant management, regional operations, financial and HR services, communications, and strategic partnerships. The COO ensures impactful delivery of community-based natural resource management programs and leads cross-functional teams to achieve measurable outcomes. In collaboration with the CEO, the COO is also responsible for communications and collaboration with government, partner organisations and donors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic leadership and operational oversight of finance, HR, and administration
- Fundraising and resource mobilisation
- Oversight of grant management and donor compliance
- Financial, administrative, and human resource management
- Oversight of regional field operations
- Managing of high-impact special projects aligned with strategic goals
- Strategic communications, collaborations and partnerships Implementation of organisational performance frameworks and capacity building
Qualifications and experience
- Preferably an MBA or equivalent or advanced professional qualification e.g. a financial and/or project management 15 years’ CBNRM experience.
- Demonstrated success in a senior operational leadership role, with a strong track record in designing, leading, and managing large-scale programs and organisational operations.
- Extensive experience in fundraising, grant and financial management and organisational development.
Skills:
Demonstrated organisational and financial management skills at an executive level. Critical thinking and problem solving. Planning, organising, executing and reporting. Decision making and Communication skills. Influencing and Leading. Team working and delegation. Negotiation, conflict management, summarise, people management skills. Ability to deal with pressure.
Language required:
English
Based:
Windhoek
Women and people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Interested candidates should email their applications with CV and contactable references to: winettej@irdnc.org.na by 18th of August 2025. Only qualifying short-listed applicants will receive replies