​Essential Duties:

Spiritual Leadership

• Lead logistics and operations over the continent of Africa in a manner reflecting Young Life’s commitment for every staff person and volunteer to minister as a servant of God whose primary responsibility is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lead Africa Logistics/Operations

Overarching goal: Integrate operational excellence to ensure mission integrity and to be good stewards of the resources God provides. ​

To achieve the overarching goal the Divisional Operations Director I (DOD I) will:

• Work with the SVPs, Field VP’s, Operations Coordinators, Vice President of International Operations and any US-based divisional operations team to continue to build infrastructure to allow operations to scale and mature. ​ It is anticipated that this would include, but not be limited to:

o Ongoing development of logistical/operational capabilities and capacities to meet current needs as well as those articulated in the KNOWN strategic vision.

o Continued development of all systems (including but not limited to Knack, YL Connect and WorkDay) to serve the continuing needs of managing and overseeing operations in Africa as well as the collection and reporting of critical metrics.

o Develop/oversee forecasts to monitor cash flows and anticipated cash and operating needs and to provide for longer range planning and presentation. ​

o Work with Young Life Legal Counsel to enhance legal compliance and build structure for expansion into new countries.

o Work with the Vice President, International Human Resources and Global Benefits to establish HR protocols and benefits for African staff.

o Continuous development of Policy and Procedure Manuals and other documentation to help drive compliance and consistency.

o Observe trends and weaknesses in operating structure and help lead corrective action.

o Partner with Field SVP’s to build a common vision for operational oversight and excellence. ​ Significant in this is leading an annual strategy retreat between field, operations and development to cast vision and set direction for the year: Maintain/update Sequencing document to reflect current priorities, timelines and ownership of key initiatives.

o Develop and maintain ongoing excellent systems required for all training and communications.

• Work with SVP, Field VP’s, Operations Coordinators, VP International Finance, Vice President of International Operations and US-based divisional operations team to build financial and operational intelligence for both operating and field personnel to equip them to administer their current position and prepare them for future advancement. ​ It is anticipated that this would include, but not be limited to:

o Help lead and structure an annual planning process with the Divisional SVP’s, Operations Coordinators and selected other participants to build unity and set direction for field and operational objectives.

o Help identify and develop training and experience necessary to ensure field leadership has requisite operational skills to perform assigned responsibilities. ​

o Oversee broad objectives and consistency in Regional 3LS HOT and other operational and financial training.

• Work with SVPs, Africa Field VP’s, Operations Coordinators, Director of Finance and US-based divisional operations team to continue to evolve internal financial controls and processes to protect the mission while maintaining the Young Life culture. ​ It is anticipated that this would include, but not be limited to:

o Continued development of adequate financial controls over the use and movement of cash.

o Safeguarding of non-cash assets, including computers or other equipment owned by Young Life.

o Development of dashboards, metrics and other tools to help aid in adequate financial planning, oversight of country operations and ongoing improvements in operational efficiency and effectiveness.

o Manage the allocation of funds that are administrated at a divisional level. ​ This currently includes allocation of operating and camp funds sufficient to support ministry growth in each SVP Division.

o Oversee broad guidelines related to developing and administering budgets that are developed for each country in Africa. ​ Critical in this is allocating funds to achieve the broad mission goals of Young Life by fueling operations and camp to achieve the greatest mission impact. ​ Also critical is moving the mission to use the budget process as a strategic planning tool in addition to being a financial control.

o Work with Operations Coordinators to manage the selection and appointment of outside auditors for annual audits of operations for statutory compliance and as part of financial oversight.

o Work with Young Life Internal Audit to develop a system of audits to drive adequate compliance with established financial and other controls. ​

• Build a working partnership with the Director of Finance for Africa.

Oversee and Coordinate – The ongoing maintenance of operational excellence in the continent of Africa is highly dependent on the execution of operational tasks in each SVP Division. ​ This will be the primary responsibility of the Operations Coordinators for each SVP Division. ​ The DOD I will help cast vision and provide guidance and support to the Operations Coordinators to ensure consistency (where appropriate) and excellence. ​ In the short-term this will include playing a primary role in the selection, hiring and ongoing training and coordination of the individuals that fill these positions. ​ It is anticipated that the DOD I will communicate regularly with each Operations Coordinator and will hold regular (at least 2x per year) in-person meetings to further the evolution and maturity of operations.

Represent – the DOD I will selectively participate (will represent Divisions) in the strategic development of Global operations for Young Life as a whole and will participate in efforts to work with Young Life leadership and representatives from other international and US Young Life divisions to create, evolve and mature administrative, operational and finance infrastructure. ​

• Participate as deemed necessary in International Leadership meetings and conferences.
• Maintain solid connectivity with the SVPs of all the Divisions.
• Maintain any needed connection with the GSVP.
• Facilitate regular communication with Field VP’s.
• As needed, make on-site visits to help understand issues and find solutions.
• Maintain and coordinate working relationships and communication with IOLT, IFLT and ILT as directed.

Measures of Success

Over a timeframe to be agreed upon, it is expected that success will be evident in the following outcomes:

• Operations and Field staff work in in harmony to achieve Young Life mission objectives.
• Operations Coordinators are equipped to carry out their support of the SVPs and the Divisions they serve.
• SVPs are equipped to manage operational matters and make informed decisions.
• Financial controls are adequately designed and complied with to reasonably prevent or detect fraudulent activities.
• Infrastructure is maintained and created sufficient to allow for the mission to continue to scale and mature.

Job-Specific Working Condition​s

• This position requires living in Africa in a location agreed upon by GSVP and Africa Field SVPs. Extensive travel within the continent of Africa and occasional travel to locations outside the African continent.
• It is expected that total travel will be approximately 25% - 30% of the time. This position will require consistent communication with each Divisional SVPs and Operations Coordinators. ​

Note:​ This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with this job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the principal job elements essential for making compensation decisions.​

Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Masters Degree
• Knowledge of Young Life is a plus. ​

Experience Required for the Job

• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Strong analytical skills. able to interpret financial and operational information to aid in critical decision making.
• Very strong administrative skills with ability to get things done.
• Highly relational.
• Strong Knowledge (may be developed over time) in Young Life policies, procedures and culture.
• Working knowledge of internal financial controls.
• Excellent communication abilities, both written and oral; language skills necessary to properly communicate with country and Division personnel.
• Deep desire to serve in a Christian mission.
• Creative and independent thinker.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with others within and across the organization; ability to interface and win respect with a variety of cultures
• Proven ability to work with the utmost of confidentiality.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite, and proven ability to learn new software and database programs.
• Be a team player and work well remotely finding way to keep connected with a disbursed team in the US and in Africa. ​

How To Apply:

​Submit an online application, including resume and cover letter, via the button below.