Operations Officer

Operations Officer (full-time)

Job Description

Reporting to: Operations Director

Location: London – Hybrid

Starting: September 2024

Duration of the contract: 1 year

Language: Fluent in English, Arabic is a plus

Salary: £34k

Application Deadline: 12th September 2024

Do you believe in the power of social enterprise to create meaningful and scalable social change in disadvantaged communities, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)? Are you looking to be involved with and help grow a movement that is backing sustainable social change across the Arab region?

ABOUT ALFANAR

Launched in 2004, Alfanar is the Arab region’s oldest venture philanthropy organisation. We are a UK-based charity with operations in Cairo, Beirut and Amman and affiliates in the US and the Netherlands. We aim to transform lives in disadvantaged communities across the Arab world by strengthening ambitious social enterprises responding to pressing needs, especially around children’s education, youth employment and women’s economic empowerment. Alfanar provides grants, repayable grants and impact investment (through a soon to be launched sister impact fund) and technical assistance to social enterprises, enabling them to scale their impact in disadvantaged communities, while increasing the sales of goods and services to achieve greater financial sustainability. Alfanar’s highly engaged venture philanthropy approach applies the principles of private sector investment to charitable giving, delivering social returns that are sustainable, scalable, and game changing. For more information about Alfanar’s venture philanthropy work, see our 2023 Impact Report and our website at: www.alfanar.org.

Scope of the Job

The Operations Officer will play a key role in supporting the Governance, HR and IT functions of the organisation, ensuring smooth operational processes in these areas. This role involves managing HR processes, supporting IT infrastructure, and assisting in the development and implementation of internal policies and systems.

Main Responsibilities

Human Resources (40%)

• Manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and offboarding processes.
• Develop/Update and implement HR policies and procedures in line with organisational goals and legal requirements.
• Maintain employee records and ensure data accuracy in HR systems.
• Coordinate staff training and development programs, including identifying training needs and sourcing external training providers.
• Monitor and report on key HR metrics, recruitment costs, and employee engagement.
• Manage staff sponsorship (renewal of sponsorship license and staff visas)

Governance, Policy Development and Compliance (30%)

• Provide support with internal audits to ensure global policies and frameworks are used across all countries of operations.
• Assist in the development and implementation of organisational policies, processes and systems
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements across all countries of operations.
• Monitor Alfanar trademarks and ensure timely renewals across all countries of operation
• Monitor changes in employment law and IT security standards, updating policies and procedures as necessary.

Information Technology (30%)

• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure, ensuring systems are secure, up-to-date, and meeting the needs of the staff.
• Manage the relationship with external IT service providers, ensuring high-quality support and value-for-money services.
• Assist in the development and implementation of IT policies and procedures, including data protection, cybersecurity, and software usage.
• Provide basic IT support to staff, including troubleshooting hardware and software issues, setting up new equipment, and managing user accounts.
• Coordinate the procurement and maintenance of IT equipment, ensuring all staff have the necessary tools to perform their roles effectively.
• Support the Operations Director in IT-related projects, such as system upgrades, software implementations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in an operational role with a focus on governance, HR and/or IT.
• Familiarity with HR management systems and IT infrastructure management.
• Strong technical skills, including proficiency with common office software and IT troubleshooting.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Desirable: Knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about Alfanar’s mission and values.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and efficiency.
• Proactive, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of working well with diverse staff members.
• Reliable, with a strong sense of responsibility and dedication.