Global Operations and Projects Lead

Overview

The Pharo Foundation is a mission-driven organisation working to build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Founded and fully funded by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund, the Foundation applies private sector rigour and operational discipline to maximise impact.

We invest in economic development programmes and ventures to deliver sustainable impact, meaning outcomes that continue long after the initial investment, rather than gains that require constant external funding to maintain. Thus, our model links two engines together: ventures create jobs and economic activity, while their profits help fund the development programmes that strengthen the conditions for future growth.

Over the next decade, the Foundation’s ambition is to deliver lasting impact across three interdependent missions:

1. Empowering the next generation through affordable, high-quality education
2. Solving water scarcity through sustainable infrastructure
3. Driving economic productivity by unlocking jobs, investment, and innovation through both non-profit and for-profit ventures

The Foundation operates in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, and Rwanda, employing more than 800 people across three divisions: Pharo Schools, Pharo Development, and Pharo Ventures.

Opportunity

We are seeking a highly organised, ambitious, and business-minded individual to join the Office of the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and support the delivery of key operational priorities across a complex, multi-country organisation.

This role focuses on owning and coordinating central operational initiatives, ensuring consistent standards, strong execution, and effective collaboration across teams and geographies. The successful candidate will work closely with the COO and country teams to drive progress on priority programmes, support cross-functional initiatives, and strengthen operational discipline across the organisation.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused role at the centre of the organisation, combining project management, programme ownership, and operational coordination. It offers strong exposure to senior leadership and is well suited to a high-performing individual looking to build broad operational experience in a fast-paced environment.

Key relationships 

Role: Global Operations and Projects Lead 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya  

Reporting to: Chief Operations Officer (COO) 

Functional relationship: Country Teams

Key Responsibilities

Cross-Cutting Projects & Operational Initiatives

• Support the COO in delivering key cross-country projects and organisational priorities, including:
• Organisation-wide initiatives
• Strategic operational improvement initiatives
• Central projects that likely affect all countries
• Coordinate and track progress on cross-functional initiatives, ensuring visibility, accountability, and timely execution
• Work with country teams and functional leads to align plans, monitor delivery, and resolve bottlenecks
• Provide structured project management support, including planning, facilitation, and follow-up

Compliance & Operational Standards

• Support the development and coordination of group-wide compliance frameworks across areas such as:
• Health and safety
• Environmental and social governance (ESG)
• Insurance and risk management – supporting finance colleagues
• Operational excellence
• Coordinate with country teams to ensure consistent implementation of policies, standards, and reporting
• Track compliance requirements, deadlines, and key risk areas across geographies
• Support audits, reviews, and continuous improvement of operational processes and controls
• Maintain clear documentation and reporting on compliance and operational standards

Pharo Management Volunteer Program

• Own and coordinate the Pharo Management Volunteer Program across multiple countries, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for all participants
• Plan and manage logistics including travel, accommodation, and on-the-ground coordination across school campuses and operational sites
• Act as the central point of coordination between Pharo Management, country teams, and school leadership
• Ensure clear communication, scheduling, and alignment of expectations across all stakeholders
• Track participation, gather feedback, and continuously improve the structure and delivery of the program

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and detail-oriented, able to manage complexity and multiple priorities
• Business-minded and commercially aware
• Execution-driven, with a strong bias for action and delivery
• Collaborative operator, able to build strong working relationships across teams and geographies
• Proactive and solutions-oriented
• Strong communicator, clear and concise in both written and verbal communication
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, high-performance environment
• High level of integrity and discretion
• Ambitious, with a strong focus on personal growth and organisational impact

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent preferred), ideally in business, economics, engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of professional experience in operations, project management, consulting, or similar environments
• Experience working across multiple teams or geographies
• Strong organisational, analytical & communication skills, with the ability to translate priorities into structured execution
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in fast-paced environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in productivity and collaboration tools (e.g. Microsoft Office 365, project management platforms)
• Experience in international or multi-country environments preferred
• Highly tech-savvy & ability to demonstrate proven knowledge and use of AI.

Application Process

• Applicants are required to attach a detailed CV and a cover letter. 

We will review applications on a rolling basis, and in the event that an exceptional candidate is identified early in the process, Pharo Foundation reserves the right to make an appointment before the advertised deadline. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to the high volume of applications received. 

Pharo Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in all its practices. We encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or background.