Senior Operations Associate

ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW:

A resilient, net zero and economically secure world is not possible without a healthy, regenerating ocean. The Ocean, one of the planet’s greatest assets, is in crisis. Heating, leading to extreme weather events, sea level rise, and adverse ecosystem changes as well as pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing, rising levels of acidity and biodiversity loss all jeopardise its health. Rebuilding and restoring ‘blue nature’ means protecting the critical impact buffers and biodiversity reservoirs that provide food, social and economic security to billions of people and businesses across the world.

Immediate and scaled action is needed to build resilience to change. The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) is the only not-for-profit multi-sector collaboration connecting the international finance and insurance sectors, governments, civil society, and stakeholders from the Global South to pioneer finance products that incentivise investment into coastal and ocean Nature-based Solutions (NBS). Our goal, by 2030, is to activate at least USD$500million of investment into this space, and in so doing, help build the resilience of at least 250 million climate vulnerable coastal people.

The heart of ORRAA’s mission is focused on building the resilience and adaptive capacity of marine and coastal ecosystems and the coastal communities around the world that rely on them. We do this by driving investment into ocean and coastal NBS, as well as through the mitigation of risk multipliers like overfishing and pollution. These solutions will enable the Ocean and the communities which depend on it to thrive, creating greater economic security as well as social and cultural resilience for climate vulnerable coastal communities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

ORRAA is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Operations Associate to support the organisation’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. This role will be integral to ensuring that ORRAA’s initiatives and activities run smoothly, supporting the management team in achieving strategic goals. The Senior Operations Associate will work closely with the Operations Director and other key stakeholders to optimise processes, manage resources, and ensure compliance with organisational policies.

Working with ORRAA’S Director of Operations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams, ORRAA members and other key stakeholders, this position will drive forward ORRAA’s operations to support the organisation as it scales.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide Operational Support:

• Assist the Operations Director in managing day-to-day operations, ensuring that the organisation’s activities align with strategic objectives.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation.
• Coordinate with various ORRAA teams to streamline workflows, improve communication, and enhance project delivery.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination across all operational activities.

Drive Project Delivery and Project Management Improvements:

• Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of key operations projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Own project plan scoping, stakeholder role definition (RACI) and management, communications, task management, issue and risk management.
• Project manage vendor selection process, as needed (RFQ, RPP, etc.)
• Maintain active list of operations-led projects and pending requests.
• Work collaboratively across ORRAA teams to ensure alignment on project goals and timelines.
• Track project progress and provide regular updates to senior management.
• Manage various operational vendors to SLAs/contracted terms

Drive process improvements

• Assess needs, propose process and ways of working improvements for ORRAA. Lead initiatives to implement changes.
• Identify process efficiency and effectiveness opportunities unlocked by technology and/or process. Develop recommendations for the leadership team that include an assessment of the pros and cons of decisions.
• Make improvement recommendations and drive adoption of selected improvements.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the operations team.

Support Financial Management and Compliance:

• Support independent contractor process, inclusive of working with ORRAA colleagues on information gathering, deliverable drafting and generating draft agreements.
• Support and track invoice processing and payment, ensuring accurate record keeping
• Ensure filings and reports are managed and timely filed to maintain the organisation’s U.S. 501(c)(3) status.
• Monitor organisation’s registered trademarks and potential infringement.

Support Risk Management:

• Assist in identifying and mitigating operational risks to safeguard the organisation’s interests.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices in operations management in non-profit organisations and implement them as appropriate.

REQUIRED & PREFERRED SKILLS:

The successful candidate will excel in the following areas:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations, project management, or a related field, preferably within the non-profit or environmental sector.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Proven track record of improving operational processes and systems.

Skills:

• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail.
• Practical problem-solving skills to help sort out situations quickly and effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Ability to analyse data and make informed decisions.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Fluent in verbal and written English.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills adaptable to a variety of audiences.
• Flexibility and willingness to multi-task and help others.
• A team-player with ability to work both independently as well as cooperatively with stakeholders across multiple time zones.
• Ability to meet deadlines and occasionally work under pressure for urgent and unexpected conservation priorities.
• A good sense of humor and willingness to engage and align on ORRAA’s organisational culture.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Competitive salary.
• This position is a full-time role.
• Our work is global, fully remote, and conducted virtually. We each work flexible hours to accommodate multiple time zones, although easy access to Washington, DC is preferred for in-person meetings.
• We may arrange additional in-person meetings at various locations throughout the year.
• Very occasional International travel will be expected as needed and as safety allows.
• The ORRAA team takes a break at the end of each calendar year between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Additional benefits are available based on the location of the candidate hired and will be reviewed at the offer stage.

CANDIDATE APPLICATIONS:

Applications should include a CV/resume, a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience will benefit ORRAA, and your salary expectations at this link. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The successful candidate must be authorised to work in their country of residence.

DATA PRIVACY:

Please note that any personal data submitted to ORRAA as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Entry into employment with the ORRAA and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.