Director of Operations

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer.

Location: East Africa/East African Time Zone. Work permit sponsored in countries of operations.

Manages: Country Directors (Tanzania/Zanzibar, Malawi & Zambia) and D-tree’s HR function.

Compensation: $95,000 to $120,000 annual salary inclusive of all cash compensation.

Who we are

For 20 years, D-tree has used the power of digital technology to strengthen primary health systems, improve health outcomes, and ensure healthcare is focused on the people it’s meant to serve. We combine human-centered design and deep knowledge of the local context, with a global team of experts and cutting-edge approaches to transform health systems. We serve as a trusted partner to governments across the full process of health system transformation; helping them develop, scale and integrate digital solutions into their primary health system. Funded by prestigious entities such as USAID, the Gates Foundation, D-tree has a proven track record, impacting over 5 million families in 16 countries. Currently our operations are focused in Sub-saharan Africa with offices in Zanzibar, mainland Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. Visit our website to read about our values and guiding principles.

D-tree is recruiting a Director of Operations, a role crucial for ensuring that D-tree has the right people, processes, and structures to establish itself as a leader in digital health. The Director of Operations will directly oversee Country Directors and the HR function, with the goal of fostering a culture aligned with D-tree’s values; innovative, high-performing, mission-driven, and results-focused. This role will play a key part in promoting transparent communication and close collaboration between country and global teams, translating D-tree’s strategy into effective execution.

Who you are

Visionary doer: You inspire your teams with a focus on the bigger picture, consistently identifying new opportunities and mitigating risks through data and trend analysis. You not only contribute to the organization’s vision and strategy but also roll up your sleeves to dive into actual work, solving complex problems with a pragmatic approach. Your bias towards action is tempered with thoughtfulness.

Architect of efficiency: You recognise that organizations don’t rise to the level of their goals; they fall to the level of their systems. You don’t just set lofty goals; you build the systems needed to achieve them. You know what a good business system looks like; you have built them before, creating the operational backbone needed for seamless efficiency.

Catalyst of results: You have experience in successfully managing complex programs in rapidly changing environments. You show the care and confidence to work with, and bring the best out of, people from widely different backgrounds and working styles. Breaking down strategies into measurable results and milestones comes natural to you, and with a steady hand you lead teams to achieve them on time.

Builder of bridges: You excel not only in fostering relationships between people but also in creating and sustaining structures that make a matrix organization thrive. Your understanding of operations extends to how global, country teams, and partners collaborate effectively to achieve program goals. You’re not just a connector; you’re a builder, ensuring that the entire organizational ecosystem works seamlessly.

Job responsibilities

As the Director of Operations, your role spans three main workstreams: Country Operations, People Operations, and contributing to the organization’s strategy and structures as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. We’re counting on you to seamlessly navigate across these areas, collaborating with others to fulfill our overarching mission of strengthening health systems through digital technology. Your focus is on building and sustaining the people, tools, and structures required for teams to achieve their goals each year and D-tree to grow its impact and reach in the region.

Country Operations

• Manage and mentor Country Directors to continuously grow and improve their country programs against a series of metrics including but not limited to targeted health outcomes, financial/budgetary targets, government relations, team performance and satisfaction.
• Support Country Directors in developing and updating long-term strategies that align both with the organization’s overall direction and their respective country’s health systems’ needs.
• Then, help them break down strategies into measurable key results and keep them accountable to the same, addressing risks and poor performance promptly so that goals are always met.
• Facilitate Country Director’s access to technical expertise, coordinate effectively with global functions and leaders, and encourage learning and sharing of best practices across teams.
• Serve as a robust advocate for country needs, ensuring global support is consistently aligned.

People Operations

• Support the HR function to consistently deliver a positive experience for all staff throughout their journey with D-tree, including recruitment, onboarding, development and retention.
• Work closely with D-tree’s teams and leadership to identify staffing needs and how to effectively organize teams/staff for high performance.
• Prioritize and plan people-related improvement projects based on organizational resources, needs, and staff feedback such as professional development programs, incentive structures, etc.
• Support design, updates and oversee implementation of staff policies that support the organization’s needs across countries, and actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Assist the HR team in designing, operating, implementing, and, when necessary, upgrading cost-effective and efficient HR processes and systems.
• Consistently champion the organization’s values, integrating them into every aspect of D-tree’s HR processes such as recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.

Strategy and Structures

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to define and refine the strategic direction of D-tree, effectively communicate and present critical matters at leadership meetings.
• Ensure effective meetings, clear communication, and collaboration within the organization, laying the foundation for effective matrix management and a cohesive “one team” culture.
• Oversee the annual OKR process and quarterly progress reviews against D-tree’s strategy and budget, including helping teams prioritize and align as well as adapt work plans accordingly.
• Support and monitor fundraising initiatives that allows D-tree to resource and with consistency deliver against its strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ work experience, with at least 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Master’s degree or MBA in a relevant field (e.g. operations management)
• Leadership experience as e.g. Country Director/Director of Operations, preferably in matrix and/or international organization.
• Demonstrated success in managing and building leaders and teams that achieve results.
• Track record of engaging and cultivating relationships with governments and donors.