Head of Operations

We are looking for a Head of Operations to lead our team in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra!

• Do you have experience leading projects and managing teams?

• Are you passionate about education and conservation?

• Are you looking for a role which brings adventure and challenge in bucketloads?

The Operations Manager leads Bukit Lawang Trust’s management team at our community hub in North Sumatra.  The Operations Manager oversees the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of all programmes, including beneficiary data collection, impact monitoring and reporting to Trustees and donors. They oversee the establishment and management of all in-country partnerships and relationships. They are committed to developing the Bukit Lawang Trust and its programmes and ensure compliance with relevant policies, processes and standards alongside the Trust’s Programme Managers. The Operations Manager acts as Headteacher or ‘Kepala Sekolah’ here at the Community Hub and School has overall responsibility for the quality, impact and safe delivery of Bukit Lawang Trust’s portfolio in Indonesia. 

Contract: 12 Months (Rolling)

Requirements for the role: 

Essential:

-Leadership experience involving managing teams and leading on projects

-Professional working proficiency in English – spoken and written

-Proficient in using computer programmes including; all Office applications, Google Drive and a good level of computer literacy

-Experience handling a budget 

Desired:

-Teaching or educational background experience will be beneficial although this is not a ‘teaching’ role

-Experience of delivering staff training

– Experience of coaching/mentoring 

-Financial reporting experience

-Experience living or working abroad or working in cross-cultural contexts 

– Report writing 

– Able to speak bahasa Indonesia or willingness to learn 

Location:

• Gotong Royong village, on the edge of Bukit Lawang

Key responsibilities:

• Lead on the development, implementation, monitoring and review of Bukit Lawang Trust’s country strategy for Indonesia

• Have overall responsibility for all operational decision making on the ground in Indonesia

• Ensure that Bukit Lawang Trust Indonesia has strong working relationships within the local community and wider region

• Oversee regular programmatic, communication and safety updates for all relevant internal stakeholders, consistent with the political, social and economic realities of Indonesia. 

• Maintain close working relationship with Bukit Lawang Trust UK office (The Board of Trustees), ensuring that Bukit Lawang Trust’s policies and quality standards are maintained across all operations.

• Oversee all of our educational programmes and strategic decision making, in particular holding accountability for our Sustainable Business Programme 

Partnerships and Fundraising: 

• Build effective, collaborative and accountable relationships with regional and national partners to help improve the Trust’s operational capacity to deliver the 17 sustainable development goals on the ground in Indonesia.  

• Work with the Programme Managers to oversee local fundraising events and online fundraisers. 

Finance Management: 

Be accountable for all aspects of Bukit Lawang Trust Indonesia’s financial management:

• Lead on financial planning and forecasting, procurement, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, and operational financial policy, in consultation with the BLT’s Board of Trustees and Treasurer. 

• Oversee the effective financial reporting processes across Bukit Lawang Trusts operations, in consultation with the Bukit Lawang Trust Treasurer. 

Human Resource management: 

Be accountable for all aspects of Bukit Lawang Trust Indonesia’s people management:

• Oversee staff recruitment, contracts and HR administration, welfare and benefits  and exit processes with support from the Programme Managers. 

• Establish and monitor staff performance and development against operational and strategic goals, including overseeing of annual appraisals & working with program managers at project sites to respond to feedback in monthly 1:1s. 

• Ensure all staff and volunteers  receive timely and appropriate training for their roles.

• Line-manage management team and support managers to lead their staff and volunteers in order to ensure good performance of all members within the Trust Hub. 

Operations and Governance: 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of all governance and compliance issues and requirements in Indonesia

• Support all the managers to oversee the running of various projects and programmes through our Trust in Sumatra. 

• Ensure the Trust is meeting its objectives as per the targets established in conjunction with our Trustees.

• Oversee the recruitment, training and personal/social development of Trust volunteers.

• Maintain excellent records of Immigration documentation for all international staff and volunteers and ensure all staff visas are updated in a timely fashion.

Programme Development, Implementation and Reporting: 

Ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of all programmes:

• Carry out strategic monitoring of all relationships with partner NGOs and other stakeholders, and support the Programme Managers as required. 

• Support the Bukit Lawang Trust Programme Managers to: 

• Ensure project delivery meets agreed standards and contractual obligations, whether with government, individuals, donors, partner NGOs or corporates. 

• Maintain an excellent and current understanding of donor requirements and expectations, producing reports in a timely manner. Ensure that programmatic delivery is meeting the expectations of the Trust’s donors and sponsors. 

Safety: 

• Oversee the development, and implementation of Bukit Lawang Trusts Emergency Action Plans and subsequent staff training. 

• Ensure the delivery of appropriate, high-quality safety, security, and safeguarding systems 

• Carry out the responsibilities of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in Indonesia and lead annual refresher training for all staff. 

• Ensure all personal data about staff and volunteers is stored securely on the Drive in accordance with GDPR.

Communications and marketing: 

• Ensure high standards of communication between all parties through our inboxes, social media, website and all other verbal and written correspondence. 

• Create newsletters, reports and marketing materials to share and support the work of the Trust. 

We offer:

• The opportunity to work in an established and successful NGO with 20 years of experience

• Competitive local monthly salary  

• Free accommodation

• Lunch time meals Monday-Friday and breakfast essentials 

• A supportive board of Trustees

• The opportunity to work with a diverse team of change-makers in a stunning natural environment!

• Opportunities for jungle trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park both with Youth Ranger classes and as part of the volunteer cycle at least once per year.

• Taking part in volunteer activities including workshops and Phase Review weekends as part of the Volunteer Journey. 

• Working permit/KITAS for Indonesia 

If you would like to apply for this position or to find out more, please contact us at [email protected].