Chief Operating Officer

The Organisation

The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) is the leading human rights organisation in the region. Established in 1996, it is a coalition of 26 national human rights institutions (NHRIs) across the Pacific, South-East, South, North, Central and West Asia. The APF provides practical support and advice to its member institutions to help them to be as effective as possible.

Benefits & Culture

• Lead a small team to support the vision of the APF in a hands-on, cross functional leadership role
• Build operational excellence, shape the strategy, and represent the organisation in international fora
• Australia-based, remote role; flexible location within Australia. Local work and residency rights essential

  
The Role

Reporting to the Director, you will provide leadership across a small team of human resources, finance, fundraising, governance, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and information technology.  In this hands-on role and in close partnership with the Director, you will provide strategic oversight and ensure operational excellence. You review, develop, implement, and improve systems, policies, procedures, and infrastructure to enhance the organisation’s capability and capacity.  Your work ensures programme strategies are aligned to achieve strategic goals and you oversee the MEAL framework. Other key duties are to:

• Assume functional leadership of the organisation in absence of the Director
• Communicate at a high level with internal and external stakeholders
• Develop, manage, and review financial budgets, plans and forecasts
• Oversee and support recruitment and staff performance appraisals
• Help develop, implement, and maintain governance, risk, and compliance management systems

Skills Required
  
You will have significant experience and demonstrated success in a similar non-profit leadership role, or from advising non-profits/like-minded institutions, including delivering programme outcomes whilst driving operational success and improving organisational outcomes. You’re a confident leader and relationship builder, and the diverse stakeholders you have effectively managed include donors and Asia and Pacific region governments. You promote a positive and ethical working environment and have a track record of success managing a wide range of projects and internal operational functions and identifying and diversifying organisational opportunities. Additionally, you offer:

• Oversight of related projects/programmes gained in the Asia and Pacific region
• Experience recruiting and professionally developing teams/team members
• Demonstrated abilities representing a similar organisation in international fora
• Strong understanding of the international human rights system
• Expertise adding value and sustainability to business and financial practices and models
• Proven communication, collaboration, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to travel overseas; an Asia or Pacific language ability would be an advantage

The APF supports gender equality and is an Equal Employment Opportunity organisation.

If you are an operations leader with Asia and Pacific region experience who wants to help build stronger national human rights institutions, and you meet the skills required, please apply forwarding a cover letter and resume highlighting your related experience quoting reference #1096571, or call Lois Freeke in Melbourne 03 8080 8978.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, if you are interested, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

NGO Recruitment values equitable recruitment practices and is committed to representing candidates reflective of the diverse organisations and communities we work with. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds, ages, and identities, and are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs. If you are interested in this position and have most of the skills or experience we are looking for, please go ahead and apply.