Application: Please apply here by the 10th of January 2025

About Samu Lafiya Initiative for Development (Lafiya Nigeria)

Samu Lafiya Initiative for Development is a global health non-profit organisation that offers an innovative and highly cost-effective solution to provide universal access to contraception. We work with female health professionals (Lafiya Sisters) to spread awareness of the benefits of family planning in their local communities and provide last-mile delivery of contraception. We operate in hard-to-reach communities that otherwise do not have access to contraceptive products and information. We currently run our core programme across four states in northern Nigeria, managing 260 Lafiya Sisters. In 2025, we aim to double the size of our operations and launch in one state in the south of Nigeria.

Position Overview

The Director of Operations will play a critical role in scaling and optimising Samu Lafiya’s operational infrastructure to support the organisation’s ambitious growth. This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on operational management across key areas, including organisational capacity, finance, accounting, human resources, compliance, and programme operations.

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to Samu Lafiya’s mission and values, with a proven ability to drive operational excellence, streamline processes, and identify opportunities for enhanced effectiveness. The role requires balancing strategy with attention to detail, ensuring all operational systems are robust, efficient, and aligned with Lafiya’s growth plans.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations will also oversee the operational capacity of Lafiya’s entities in Nigeria, the UK, and the Netherlands. Familiarity with charity systems and regulations across these jurisdictions is highly desirable. A background in law and/or accounting would be a strong advantage, enabling the candidate to navigate complex legal, financial, and compliance systems effectively.

Responsibilities

Financial Management and Strategy

• Oversee financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, accounting, payroll, expense policies, and financial controls.

• Develop and manage operational budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness while supporting programme scaling.

• Ensure transparent financial reporting, resource allocation, and compliance with accounting standards.

• Manage monthly account reconciliation and oversee incoming and outgoing grants to ensure compliance and efficient utilisation of funds.

• Develop the organisation’s financial strategy in alignment with its mission and goals.

• Monitor and manage inflation risks and exchange rate fluctuations to maintain financial stability across multiple operational countries.

• Manage cash reserves and approve monthly payment schedules and procurement requests.

• Oversee annual accounts and audits.

• Make payments and monitor financial controls to ensure accuracy and accountability.

Operational Systems and Processes

• Set up and update policies, including expense policies, security protocols, and financial processes.

• Develop standardised processes, frameworks, and SOPs to enable smooth replication of programmes across new sites.

• Lead initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and scalability.

• Identify and mitigate operational risks related to staffing, supply chains, equipment, and compliance.

• Drive long-term planning and forecasting to support sustainable growth and impact.

Procurement and Supply Chain

• Establish and manage systems for monitoring stock levels of essential supplies to ensure availability and prevent stockouts.

• Oversee the procurement of contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and other essential supplies.

• Oversee the quality control of procured items, ensuring all supplies meet required specifications and standards.

• Develop contingency plans to address supply chain disruptions and ensure continuity of essential programme operations.

• Work with multiple partners, vendors, and suppliers to establish reliable and cost-effective procurement processes.

• Approve procurement requests to ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance with organisational policies.

Legal and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with legal regulations, health and safety standards, and government guidelines across all programmes.

• Develop and implement comprehensive legal and compliance strategies.

• Implement risk management strategies to protect the organisation, its staff, and its assets.

• Ensure operational and legal compliance across multiple entities and countries.

Team Leadership 

• Develop the organisational capacity to support rapid scaling, including hiring, training, and mentoring staff for operational roles.

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence within the operations team.

Who are we looking for?

As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of Lafiya Nigeria and be driven by the mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for family planning interventions,

The following outlines our ideal candidate. While these qualifications are desired, we understand that not every applicant will meet all criteria, and we maintain a degree of flexibility. We are looking for fast learners who can independently and effectively develop the skills needed to fulfil the responsibilities of this role. If you believe you can excel in this position and are eager to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply.

Education and Experience

• A Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Public Administration, Law, or a related field.

• At least 5-7 years of experience in senior operations roles, with a proven track record of managing complex, multi-country operations.

• Experience in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and managing risks related to inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.

• Strong background in procurement and supply chain management, including working with partners to ensure seamless procurement and stock management.

Technical and Operational Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing operational policies, frameworks, and SOPs.

• Proficiency in financial systems, accounting software, and operational tools.

• Experience navigating legal and compliance systems across multiple countries (particularly Nigeria and the UK).

• Proven ability to identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure programme continuity.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to optimise processes for efficiency, scalability, and sustainable growth.

• Success in managing multi-country charity systems, ensuring compliance with financial, legal, and operational regulations.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Proven ability to lead teams, mentor staff, and foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, including collaboration with government entities, supply chain partners, and senior leadership to align operational goals with broader organisational strategies.

• Experience in building organisational capacity, including hiring, training, and scaling teams to meet evolving operational needs.

Personal Qualities

• Highly adaptable, with the ability to manage complexity and balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational execution.

• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a focus on big-picture goals.

• Commitment to Lafiya’s mission and values, with a drive to deliver impact through operational excellence.

Although this position is primarily remote, it requires regular travel to Northern Nigeria to collaborate with the team and engage with key stakeholders. Applicants based in Nigeria or with previous experience working in the country are strongly encouraged to apply. Ideally, the candidate would spend some time each year at our Kano office and travel to other operational states, including Jigawa, Sokoto, and Kebbi.

Why should you apply?

• Your work will directly save lives by improving access to contraception and advancing public health in underserved communities.

• You’ll have the opportunity to build and lead an operations department, setting up systems, processes, and teams that will be the backbone of Lafiya’s ambitious growth. 

• This is a high-impact, challenging role where your strategic decisions will directly influence Lafiya’s ability to scale, ensuring our life-saving programmes reach the communities that need them most. 

• You’ll have significant autonomy to design and optimise operational systems, streamline processes across multiple countries, and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. 

• You’ll drive the growth of an organisation aiming for transformational impact, with the opportunity to leave your mark on Lafiya’s future and the lives of underserved communities.

• You’ll be part of a dynamic, mission-driven organisation that values innovation, excellence, and evidence-based decision-making. 

• As Lafiya scales rapidly, you’ll grow alongside the organisation, with opportunities for personal development, leadership, and professional fulfilment. 

• Benefits include 30 days of paid annual leave, fully paid maternity leave, and flexibility in how, when, and where you work.

Applying

We are flexible in employment arrangements and can hire the right candidate through our UK, EU (Dutch), or Nigerian entity, depending on their location.

If this all sounds exciting, please fill out this form to confirm your interest in the role. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and progressing candidates to the next stage. The deadline for the application is on the 10th of January 2025. ​Don’t hesitate to apply even if you don’t meet all the criteria—we’re open to tailoring the role for the right candidate.