| Job Title | Director of Operations |
| Reports To | President, SDA-Trust |
| Unit | Senior Management / Operations |
| Location | Abuja, Nigeria (with travel within Nigeria as required) |
| Contract Type | Full-time (2 years, renewable based on performance) |
| Supervises | Operations, finance, administration and programme support staff (as assigned) |
| Grade / Remuneration | Competitive and commensurate with experience. |
1. ABOUT SDA-TRUST
The Social Development Action Trust (SDA-Trust) is a Nigeria-based, Pan-African development and humanitarian organisation. Established in 2019 and registered with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, the Trust was co-founded by Pan-Africanist scholars and seasoned development and humanitarian practitioners, united by the conviction that Africa’s most pressing challenges demand African-led, community-rooted and values-driven responses.
SDA is envisioned as a catalytic Pan-African institution dedicated to advancing democratic governance, social justice and effective humanitarian response. It works in close partnership with communities, civil society, governments and regional institutions to co-create locally owned solutions that foster social cohesion, resilience and transformative change. Rooted in African knowledge systems and lived realities, SDA champions sustainable, inclusive and community-driven approaches that build empowered and resilient societies capable of responding to both existing challenges and emerging opportunities.
The Trust is mandated to work across Nigeria and the broader African continent. As it consolidates and expands this mandate, SDA-Trust is strengthening its institutional systems to support delivery, accountability and lasting impact at scale.
2. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Director of Operations provides senior operational leadership across SDA-Trust, ensuring that the Trust’s programmes, finances, people and systems are managed efficiently, transparently and in full compliance with organisational policies and donor requirements. Reporting to the President, the post-holder translates strategic direction into effective day-to-day delivery, oversees the operational, financial and administrative functions of the Trust, and ensures that institutional systems are robust enough to support growth and sustained impact.
As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director of Operations deputises for the President on operational and administrative matters as required, and works closely with the Board of Directors, programme teams and partners to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability and performance.
Operational Leadership and Strategy
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Trust, ensuring the efficient and coordinated functioning of all programme and support units.
- Translate the Trust’s strategic plan into annual operational plans, work schedules and performance targets, and monitor their delivery.
- Develop, review and enforce operational policies, systems and standard operating procedures that promote efficiency, accountability and value for money.
- Advise the President and Board of Trustees on operational performance, institutional risks and opportunities for organisational strengthening.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, learning, integrity and results across the Trust.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with development partners, government institutions, civil society and other stakeholders.
- Lead on resource mobilisation, including the development of proposals, budgets and partnership agreements.
- Represent SDA in relevant forums, networks and negotiations as delegated by the President.
- Oversee the planning, implementation and close-out of the Trust’s development and humanitarian programmes and projects, ensuring delivery to time, budget and quality.
- Coordinate programme teams and consultants, ensuring effective work planning, resource allocation and adherence to grant and partnership agreements.
- Ensure that programme activities remain aligned with the Trust’s mission, strategic priorities and theory of change.
- Maintain effective systems for project documentation, knowledge management and reporting.
- Provide oversight of the Trust’s financial management, including budgeting, expenditure control, cash flow and financial reporting, working closely with the finance function.
- Ensure sound grants management, including budget development, donor compliance, sub-grant administration and timely financial reporting.
- Safeguard the Trust’s resources and ensure adherence to financial policies, internal controls and audit requirements.
- Support the preparation of annual budgets, management accounts and audited financial statements.
- Lead the human resources function, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, staff development and welfare.
- Ensure that human resource policies, contracts and procedures comply with Nigerian labour law and good practice.
- Oversee general administration, office management, facilities and the maintenance of a safe and productive working environment.
- Promote staff wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and a positive organisational culture.
- Establish and oversee transparent procurement systems that ensure value for money, integrity and compliance with donor and organisational rules.
- Manage logistics, travel, contracts and vendor relationships.
- Maintain an accurate asset register and ensure the proper use, maintenance and safeguarding of organisational assets.
- Ensure the Trust’s compliance with statutory, regulatory and donor obligations, including registration, tax and reporting requirements.
- Develop and maintain an organisational risk register and lead the implementation of risk mitigation measures.
- Support the work of the Board of Trustees, including the preparation of governance documentation and the implementation of Board decisions.
- Champion safeguarding, data protection and ethical standards across the organisation.
- Oversee the design and operation of monitoring, evaluation and learning systems that track performance and demonstrate impact.
- Ensure the timely preparation of high-quality narrative and financial reports for the Board, donors and partners.
- Promote the use of evidence and learning to improve programme quality and organisational decision-making.
4. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education and Qualifications
Essential:
- A master’s degree in development studies, public administration, business administration, social sciences, finance or a related field.
Desirable:
- A professional qualification in management, finance, project management or human resources.
Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of 7 years’ progressive professional experience, including at least two years in a senior operational, management or leadership role within the non-profit, development or research sector.
- Demonstrable experience in resource mobilisation and managing donor-funded programmes and grants, including compliance with the requirements of bilateral, multilateral or foundation donors.
- Proven experience in financial management, budgeting and the oversight of organisational systems.
- Experience leading, developing and motivating multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable:
- Experience working on democratic governance, social justice, humanitarian response, gender or related thematic areas.
- Experience of multi-country or Pan-African programming, and of supporting governance structures such as a board of trustees.
Skills, Knowledge and Attributes
- Sound knowledge of operational, financial, procurement and human resource management in a non-profit context.
- Familiarity with donor compliance requirements and grants management.
- Strong command of the Nigerian regulatory, labour and tax frameworks applicable to non-profit organisations.
- Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent leadership, interpersonal and team-building skills.
- High standards of integrity, accountability and discretion.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in relevant financial, project management and digital tools.
- Commitment to the values, mission and vision of SDA-Trust.
- Reports to: President, SDA-Trust.
- Works closely with the Board of Directors, programme teams, finance and administration staff, consultants and partners.
- Supervises: operations, finance, administration and programme support staff, as assigned.
- External: development partners, government institutions, civil society organisations, vendors and service providers.
- Location: Abuja, Nigeria, with travel within Nigeria as required.
- Contract type: Full-time (two years, renewable based on performance).
- Remuneration: Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- Probation, benefits and other conditions: As set out in the Trust’s human resource policy.
Qualified candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a covering letter setting out their suitability for the role to info@sdatrust.org by 19 July 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
SDA-Trust is an equal opportunity employer. The Trust is committed to diversity, inclusion and the safeguarding of the communities it serves, and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability or background. The Trust maintains a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, abuse and exploitation, and all appointments are subject to satisfactory references and relevant checks.