ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITIES

This role serves as the right hand to the COO, ensuring execution discipline, clarity of communication, and operational follow-through across a fast-scaling organization.

The Chief of Staff & Executive Assistant combines high-level coordination, strong communication, and hands-on execution to keep priorities moving, unblock teams, and ensure the COO’s strategy translates into measurable results across operations, risk, and scale-up initiatives. This role is open to candidates based in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, or South Sudan.

 Executive Support & Coordination 40%

• Manage the COO’s calendar, priorities, and travel to ensure focus on highest-impact work
• Organize Office of COO Leaders meetings, as well as other key meetings/forums 
• Prepare briefing notes, talking points, and decision memos for internal and external engagements
• Coordinate Office of COO board reports  
• Track action items from leadership meetings and ensure timely follow-through
• Represent the COO in meetings where appropriate and ensure clear communication back to teams
• Coordinate Board and executive-level materials in collaboration with leadership

Communications & Alignment 25%

• Draft and refine high-quality internal and external communications presentations, updates, reports
• Translate strategy into clear, actionable messaging for teams across countries
• Drive alignment across departments by ensuring consistent messaging and priorities
• Facilitate workshops, leadership meetings, and cross-functional planning sessions

Special Projects & Process Improvement 20%

• Lead and support priority projects under the COO, including scale-up initiatives and new country readiness
• Conduct rapid process reviews across operations e.g., client journey, procurement, approvals and recommend improvements
• Coordinate and manage consultants supporting operational transformation initiatives
• Track delivery against key operational KPIs and escalate risks or delays

Operations, Risk, Systems &  Performance Support 15%

• Support the COO in strengthening enterprise risk management, including risk tracking and mitigation follow-up
• Coordinate initiatives related to security, safeguarding, legal/contracting, and operational standards
• Support digital transformation efforts by improving visibility, dashboards, and reporting systems
• Ensure operational policies and standards are documented, communicated, and implemented consistently
• Support COO in corporate performance

Requirements

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Inkomoko has found that our happiest and most effective colleagues are proactive, resourceful, self-motivated, trustworthy, and accountable. They are go-getters with a can-do attitude, who support their teammates with sincerity. No task is too small and above all, they are humble and willing to give and receive feedback.

This role requires someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused, while able to operate at a strategic level when needed.

Core Capabilities

• Strong system, process experience 
• Strong facilitation skills both in person and use of virtual facilitation tools
• Exceptional report writing experience 
• Exceptional communicator: Clear, concise writer and confident facilitator across all levels
• Execution-focused: Strong ability to track details, manage follow-through, and deliver results
• Highly organized: Able to manage multiple priorities with precision and discipline
• Problem solver: Quickly identifies issues and drives practical solutions
• Trusted partner: Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and integrity
• Adaptable and resilient: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Additional qualifications

• 5 - 8+ years of experience in operations, consulting, program management, or executive support roles
• Prior experience supporting a senior executive COO, CEO, or similar strongly preferred
• Experience in high-growth, mission-driven or startup environments is an advantage
• Strong proficiency in productivity tools, data systems, and presentation platforms
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree is an advantage.