The largest job portal in the Middle East
Apply now

Strategic Leadership and Oversight

• Develop and execute the operational strategy in alignment with the overall organizational strategy.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational processes and systems.
• Oversee the creation and management of budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and financial sustainability.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Programme and Project Management Systems

• Develop and oversee robust programme and project management systems.
• Monitor and evaluate project progress to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Implement best practices from WWF International and other global leaders to enhance project management efficiency.

Financial Management

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations and standards.
• Manage accounts payable and receivable and coordinate with the finance team to maintain financial health.
• Optimize financial performance through integration of best practices from leading global companies.

Human Resources (HR) Management

• Supervise HR activities including recruitment, training, performance management, and employee relations.
• Develop and enforce HR policies and procedures to foster a positive organizational culture.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives inspired by global HR best practices.
• Oversee talent management, employee engagement, and development programs.

Legal and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local and international laws and regulations.
• Oversee legal matters including contracts, agreements, and disputes.
• Implement and manage comprehensive compliance programs and risk management processes.
• Ensure adherence to governance standards and best practices.

Information Technology (IT) and Data Management

• Oversee IT operations ensuring systems are secure, reliable, and efficient.
• Implement new technologies to improve operational efficiency and cybersecurity.
• Manage IT support and maintenance activities, leveraging innovative solutions.
• Develop and implement data management strategies to support decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Ensure data protection and compliance with relevant regulations.

Business Process Analysis and Oversight of SOPs

• Conduct business process analysis to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure due diligence, governance, compliance, quality control, and quality assurance across all operations.

Stakeholder Management

• Create a stakeholder mapping and management strategy.
• Manage key stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and engagement.
• Participate in WWF International practices calls as required.
• Liaise with WWF International and its offices to ensure alignment and collaboration.

Governance and Compliance

• Support the development and implementation of governance frameworks and policies.
• Liaise with the Board of Directors and other stakeholders as needed.
• Ensure adherence to governance standards and best practices from top-tier organizations.

Administration and Office Management

• Oversee administrative functions including office management and logistics.
• Ensure efficient operation of office facilities and services.
• Manage vendor relationships and procurement processes adopting procurement best practices from global leaders.

Event Management

• Provide operational support with the planning and execution of major stakeholder events.
• Support the management and planning of events.
• Provide operational support to WWF personnel, including high-level officials and visiting missions (protocol, liaison, procurement, and security coordination).

Strategy Development and Business Planning

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the operations unit.
• Conduct business planning, risk and mitigation planning, and contingency planning.
• Model scenarios to support decision-making and strategic initiatives.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

• Integrate sustainability considerations into all operational activities.
• Implement practices to minimize environmental impact and enhance sustainability.
• Monitor and report on sustainability metrics and performance.

Innovation and Technology Integration

• Drive the adoption of innovative technologies to improve operational efficiency.
• Stay abreast of technological advancements and integrate relevant solutions into operations.

Partnership Development

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships to enhance operational capacity and reach.
• Engage with external partners to foster collaboration and support for organizational initiatives.

Crisis Management

• Develop and implement crisis management plans.
• Lead the organization through crisis situations, ensuring continuity of operations and minimal impact.

Reporting and Transparency

• Ensure transparent reporting and communication with stakeholders.
• Develop and implement reporting frameworks to track performance and impact.

Capacity Building

• Build capacity within the operations team and across the organization.
• Develop training and development programs to enhance skills and capabilities.

Shadowing the COO

• Shadow the COO to gain a comprehensive understanding of organizational operations and strategy.
• Manage the COO’s schedule, including planning and coordinating meetings, travel, and other commitments.
• Attend meetings with the COO, providing support and ensuring follow-up on action items.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, IT, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in operations management, preferably in non-profit or environmental organizations.
• Proven experience in managing multiple departments and cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of financial management, HR practices, IT systems, data management, and legal compliance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Emirates Nature-WWF Focus: Acts as a member of Emirates Nature-WWF, placing higher priority on Emirates Nature-WWF goals than own goals and anticipating the effects of own area’s actions on others to ensure holistic Emirates Nature-WWF outcomes.

External Orientation: Looks outwards ensuring WWF stays relevant, continues to anticipate and adapt to external environmental and global trends.

Delivering Quality Outcomes: Establishes stretch goals, plans, using best judgment and takes responsibility for planning to and delivering on outcomes.

Building Working Relationships: Builds collaborative relationships through the understanding and development of other’s and own ideas.

Communicating Effectively: Uses appropriate means of communication to convey messages, seeks input from others and ensures understanding.

Leading Teams: Develops direction and shared purpose, builds a team through coaching to ensure the accomplishment of goals and high level team performance.

Leading Change: Encourages and seeks out innovative solutions and brings people on a journey constructively and empathetically.

Managing Resources: Makes the right judgments based on financial and resource availability.

Establishing Strategic Direction: Generates options to achieve long-range goals, selects the best strategies for success and delivers on strategic goals.

• Interpersonal skills: building relationships and working collaboratively with colleagues, staff members, and external partners. Should be approachable, empathetic, and have a customer service-oriented mindset.
• Excellent knowledge of administrative policies, procedures and best practices as applicable to the support services. In addition to a deep understanding of non-for-profit policies and procedures, as well as relevant regulations and guidelines, to be able to ensure compliance with these requirements.
• Ability to prioritize the workload in an effective manner; work under pressure within a busy environment and meet tough deadlines.
• Ability to plan and execute complex projects and initiatives, manage timelines and deadlines, and ensure that goals are met.
• Good knowledge of office management practices within a dynamic and highly automated work environment.
• Ability to foster cooperative work relationships within a diverse community that involves multiple internal and external parties.
• Proficiency level of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner and be skilled at diplomacy and conflict resolution.
• Good knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal resources management.
• Ability to gather data, conduct research, compile information, and write reports.
• Ability to analyze data and information, identify trends and patterns, and make recommendations based on their findings.
• Strong attention to detail and be able to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate options, and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to think strategically, understand EN’s mission and goals, and align the work of the with these objectives.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain the highest level of professionalism at all times.

Internal - Collaborates with all departments within Emirates Nature-WWF.

External - Engages with external partners, vendors, stakeholders, and WWF International.

Emirates Nature-WWF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and offer a flexible and diverse place of employment.

Please send your application consisting of a cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate to work with EN-WWF and your CV with the subject ‘Application for Head – Operations ’ to the attention of Ms Magdalena Tayoun on before 19th July 2024.