Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at Welcome2Africa

Job Summary:

• The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will be responsible for driving operational excellence, strategic execution, and organizational growth across Welcome2Africa International (W2A) and its subsidiaries. The COO will ensure seamless coordination of projects, optimize operational frameworks, and lead cross-functional teams to achieve W2A’s mission of fostering investment, trade, and sustainable development in Africa.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Strategy & Leadership

• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment with W2A’s strategic objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Develop and implement scalable operational processes, systems, and policies across W2A and its subsidiaries.
• Spearhead W2A’s transition into a holdings company, ensuring seamless operationalization of subsidiaries.
• Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to refine and execute organizational strategies, monitoring progress toward business goals.
• Prepare and submit biweekly and monthly operational reports to the CEO, highlighting KPIs, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Project & Program Management

• Lead the coordination and execution of key projects, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Provide strategic oversight for program design, implementation, and impact assessment in alignment with W2A’s goals.
• Monitor project milestones, conduct bi-annual reviews, and adjust strategies to meet targets.
• Ensure all programs adhere to budgetary guidelines, timelines, and compliance standards

Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead and mentor department heads (Investment & Trade, Programs & Events, Research, Growth), fostering a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Set clear performance goals, conduct evaluations, and implement professional development initiatives.
• Organize cross-departmental strategy sessions to align teams with W2A’s vision.
• Monitor employee productivity, address operational bottlenecks, and implement efficiency improvements.

Investment & Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate public-private partnerships and policy dialogues to enhance agribusiness investment in Africa.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in investment assessments, feasibility studies, and project appraisals (agriculture, food security, climate resilience).
• Engage with investors, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to drive W2A’s mission.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and corporate governance standards across all W2A entities.
• Standardize operational frameworks for consultancy projects and subsidiaries.
• Mitigate risks through proactive policy development and internal audits.

Qualifications for Operations Lead

• M.B.A/Bachelor’s degree in business or related major or equivalent experience is required for this position
• A minimum of four years of experience in the investment management industry or related business field
• Candidates must be analytical, detail-oriented and precise with numbers, with a solid understanding of trade and investment concepts and strategies
• Proven people leadership with prior experience managing a team and complex projects
• The ability to interact and partner with clients, stakeholders, government officials, farmers,
• cooperatives and staff from other organizations with confidence