Operations Manager - Sierra Leone

About Imagine Worldwide

All children have immense potential, but hundreds of millions don’t have access to the learning they need. Imagine Worldwide’s mission is to empower millions of children across Sub-Saharan Africa with the literacy and numeracy skills they need to reach their full potential. We provide a tablet-based, personalized learning solution designed for the most challenging environments. Nine Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) across multiple countries and settings have shown dramatic learning gains, increased school attendance, and gender parity, all for less than $7 per child per year.

Imagine Worldwide partners with governments, organizations, and communities to provide child-directed, tablet-based learning that is accessible, effective, and affordable. We are a California-based (United States) nonprofit organization operating across seven Sub-Saharan African countries. Learn more on our website.

 

About the Role

The Operations Manager will play a critical role in establishing and maintaining Imagine’s operations in Sierra Leone, ensuring the smooth delivery of programs and compliance with all regulatory requirements. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, this individual will be responsible for strengthening and overseeing operational systems and processes.

This is a highly hands-on role requiring a proactive problem solver with strong organizational skills and an ability to navigate complex administrative and regulatory environments

 

Key Responsibilities

Cross-Team & Partner Coordination

• Serve as an operational focal point between Imagine HQ, field teams, and local partners, ensuring alignment of processes and policies.
• Provide operational support to program and support teams to ensure smooth and timely delivery of activities.
• Provide operational support to internal events, donor or stakeholder visits, external meetings, and other special projects.
• Ensure international staff admin/operational needs management including but not limited to visa, working permits, residential permits, etc.
• Act as focal point for security in the country office including security briefings for visitors and ensuring adequate security information sharing with Executive Director and Senior Management Team as needed.

Facilities & Office Management

• Oversee and ensure functionality, safety, and efficiency of office and warehouse facilities, including renewals, lease agreements, and compliance with workplace standards.
• Oversee service contracts (utilities, internet, security, cleaning) and ensure high-quality vendor performance.
• Ensure effective office administration and support functions.

Procurement & Resource Management

• Oversee procurement processes in line with organizational policies, ensuring transparent vendor selection, timely payment processing, and effective supplier management.

Fleet Management

• Oversee management of the fleet
• Including registration, licensing and insurance
• Manage driver(s)

Compliance & Governance

• Maintain all corporate records, licenses, and statutory filings, ensuring renewals are completed on time.
• Support organizational compliance and governance requirements in coordination with the Director of Finance & Administration and Imagine Global.

Risk Management

• Coordinate operational risk management processes, supporting the ED and teams in identifying, assessing, and updating risks.
• Maintain the operational risk register, ensuring updates are captured and mitigation actions are tracked across functions.
• Facilitate regular review of risks to ensure alignment with Imagine’s global risk framework.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess the following competencies, experiences, and qualities: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience managing office, compliance, or operations functions — ideally with an NGO or international organization.
• Proven experience dealing with government agencies, corporate registration, and statutory compliance in Sierra Leone (or similar contexts).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience in vendor and contract management.
• Strong problem-solving ability and high attention to detail.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with cloud-based document systems is a plus.

Qualities

•  Passion for Imagine’s mission and vision 
•  Demonstrated commitment to equity in educational access and outcomes
• Passion for project management
• Demonstrated ability to think independently and solve problems
• Collaborative team player; clear and proactive communicator
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to work in a fast-paced, changing environment

 

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Location

The Operations Manager must be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

 

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Imagine Worldwide is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.