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Internals Only: Operational Effectiveness Lead (Shared Services)

Hybrid / Remote
Full-time
Permanent employee

Your mission

The Operational Effectiveness Lead role involves articulating, designing, developing, implementing, coordinating, monitoring and refining strategic initiatives that impact WCAF’s ability to effectively deliver on its mission while improving its operational resilience.  

What you will do:
The role supports the Director of Finance & Operations deliver on initiatives aimed at strengthening the organisation’s operational effectiveness towards Excellence. The role occasionally translates IMT’s- strategic thinking and needs related to operations into clear cross functional plans of action. 
  • Act as a thought and strategic development partner to the Director of Finance and Operations, translating direction into clear, structured approaches and plans for initiatives within the role’s remit, particularly in Operational Effectiveness. 
  • Support the organisation in strengthening its operational maturity by identifying gaps, inconsistencies, or inefficiencies in current ways of working and proposing practical, simplified approaches to address them.  Role model a culture of continuous improvement and create buy-in. 
  • Take a leading role in the articulation and initial development of priority organisational initiatives related to Operational Effectiveness (e.g., operational innovation, internal control strengthening, KPIs, consolidated analysis and effective follow up of audits and certifications, etc.), translating the Director’s high-level steer into clear first-draft proposals for consultation. 
  • Ensure the coherence and integration of Operational Effectiveness initiatives across functions and regions, ensuring that different efforts form part of a consistent and aligned organisational approach.  
  • Develop clear, concise frameworks and draft approaches and tools that simplify complex topics into practical and user-friendly outputs (such as around policy design, internal controls, quality management systems, etc.) 
  • Play a key role in the evolution of WCAF’s internal policy and framework landscape, ensuring it remains fit-for-purpose, accessible, and aligned with organisational needs and external standards.  
  • Support the development and refinement of organisation-wide planning and performance management approaches and processes that enable the delivery of the strategy, including contributing to the articulation of annual and multi-year plans, key annual audits such as ISO-9001, etc. 
  • Act as a bridge between strategic intent and operational reality, ensuring that proposed approaches are both conceptually sound and grounded in the practical realities of country and regional teams.  
 
ROLE-SPECIFIC OR CONTEXT RESPONSIBILITIES 
  • Support the Director of Finance & Ops in preparing high quality materials that accelerate alignment and decision-making at senior management level. 
  • Enable structured consultation and engagement processes with internal stakeholders for organisational initiatives, ensuring that diverse perspectives are incorporated while maintaining clarity and direction in outputs.  
  • Contribute to strengthening organisational resilience and accountability, including embedding risk-aware thinking and continuous improvement practices across functions.  
  • Lead and oversee the consolidated analysis of audits, certification and recertification processes, ensuring compliance with standards and effective integration of sound internal control principles into organisational systems, processes, and culture. Ensure proper follow up of outcomes. 
  • Lead the development, optimization and maintenance of WCAF’s policy portfolio to ensure a user-friendly and effective internal control environment. Maintain a strong focus on usability and adoption, ensuring that all frameworks, policies, and approaches developed are clear, relevant, and easy to apply in practice. 
  • Project manage and coordinate the core organizational processes such as the articulation of the annual plan and key audits. 
  • Aritculate, propose, and support in the establishment of organisational KPIs and dashboards allowing senior management and the board to monitor operational performance and achievement of strategic milestones; prepare regular and high-quality analytical reports for senior management. 
  • Support efforts around organizational risk management

Your profile

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE  
Education 
  • Advanced university degree (Master's level or equivalent) in Business Administation, Management, International Development, or similar field 
  • ISO 9001 certificate is desirable 
Experience 
  • Extensive experience in operational excellence, processes engineering, organisational development, consulting, or similar 
  • Experience in consulting is desirable 
  • Experience in international NGOs is advisable 
  • Strong experience in project management 
  • Experience in internal controls and policies design  
  • Demonstrated success in managing complex change. 
 
Languages 
  • Fluency in English;  
  • Dutch, French and/or Arabic desirable. 
(Technical) Knowledge 
  • Business process engineering 
  • Project management 
  • Change management 
  • Quality management audit processes 
  • Risk management 
  • Internal controls 
 

How to Apply


  • Location : We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation.
  • Type of Contract : Local contract with salary and secondary labour conditions based on the in-country salary scale, local T&C's will apply.
  • Internals only may apply.
Why You Should Apply
  • Meaningful Impact : Contribute directly to improving the lives of children and families affected by conflict through quality education and long-term, sustainable change.
  • Professional Growth: Join a dynamic organisation that values learning, innovation, and professional development, with opportunities for capacity building and growth through the role and War Child’s global network.
  • Global Reach : Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme across multiple conflict-affected contexts worldwide.
  • Collaborative & Inclusive Culture : Work alongside passionate, mission-driven colleagues in a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that prioritises safety, fairness and equal opportunity for all.
How to Apply


Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (CV and motivation letter in English) by June 26, 2026. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended. ________________________________________________________________________________
By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.

Disclaimer
  • Only applications received via our website are processed.
  • If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
  • It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.

About us

The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. We work with global teams with team members being based in different locations. War Child is currently operates in: Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, DR Congo, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine (soon to be registered), and Yemen. We also have offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/ 

Safeguarding and Integrity
Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm. All (prospective) employees will be expected to be compliant with and sign up to our Child Safeguarding policy, our Code of Conduct and PSEA: Adults at Risk Policy. You can find the Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policy here: Integrity & Safeguarding - Home
 
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB)
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to ensuring that all our people and job applicants are treated fairly, irrespective of where, what or whom they were born, or of other characteristics. We want to offer a safe and inclusive workplace where all our people, especially those who are currently marginalised or underrepresented, can be themselves at work. If you have any questions about our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) and Belonging (DEIB) do get in touch: JEDI.team@warchild.net