Position: Operations Manager
Department: Operations
Start Date: Immediate
Duration: Fixed term until 31 December 2026 with a possibility to extend
Status: National Hire
Reporting : Director of Operations
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa, with flexibility to work remotely as Greenpeace Africa implements a hybrid work location model, with Work-from-home being the primary base of our work location.
About Greenpeace Africa
Greenpeace Africa was founded in 2008 and is part of the Greenpeace global network that has recently celebrated 50 years of climate activism across the world. Greenpeace was founded in 1971 by a small group of concerned individuals, who set sail to Amchitka Island off the coast of Alaska to try and stop a US nuclear weapons test. Their old fishing boat was called “The Greenpeace”. Today, Greenpeace is present in over 40 countries around the world. Greenpeace Africa currently operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa to challenge the development and growth model rooted in the extractive, neo-colonial socio-economic model that is holding the African continent back and is contributing to the worsening climate crisis.
Purpose of the job:
Responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the business across Africa and providing support services that enable staff to work optimally in all office locations as well as remotely, facilitating interdepartmental communication and allocating tasks and resources as needed to efficiently and effectively operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Management of the Offices
● Working with the GPI security team and the Africa SMT to develop and implement a security strategy for GPAf ● Ensure all office spaces are safe and secure, comfortable, environmentally friendly i.e. recycling, energy saving solutions, water saving methods are adopted and liaise with Landlord to ensure that the building is well maintained with the assistance of the RC/CC’s.
● Management of day to day activities for the SA office.
● Ensure all rental agreements are regularly reviewed and renewed where applicable.
● Manage budget for office, IT and travel to, ensure that budget is not exceeded and expenses are correctly allocated.
● Coordinate and manage office relocations(with RC/CC’s), including ensuring sufficient security, access control and safety levels are in place and maintained
● Ensure minimum standards for office spaces are developed, approved, implemented and maintained consistently across all locations.
Management, servicing and control of Assets
● Make sure that physical property is fit-for purpose, serviced, operational and in order ● Maintain Asset Register listing and reconcile with Finance every quarter.
● Implemented and updated systems and procedures for management of assets and ensuring compliance. ● Make sure that the offices are kept clean at all times, liaise with cleaning service providers and ensure SLA terms are followed.
● Make sure policy schedules are up to date in all offices
Procurement policies and procedures
● Ensure procurement is done in accordance with the Greenpeace’s guide for electronics and green procurement.
● Review procurement procedures by ensuring that suppliers fulfill all requirements in the scope of work as agreed.
● Educate staff about the procurement policies and procedures
● Ensure all Service Level Agreements are in place, updated and planned for in time.
● Manage the procurement of equipment on behalf of the five offices in line with existing policies. ● Maintain suppliers database and renew annually
● Facilitate the procurement of goods and/or services on behalf of other departments in line with existing policies when required. Value for money is crucial and so liaising with departments in question to understand the specific requirements.
● Assist the procurement committee to fulfill their mandate
Travel Management and workshops
● Coordinate meetings and workshops, logistics invitations, venues, schedules including staff entertainment.
● Oversee Travel and Events coordinator with travel arrangements for staff in accordance with the Travel Policy.
Management of suppliers/services providers
● First point of contact for suppliers/service providers for Office related services and products including cell phones, phones, insurances, travel services, etc.
● Analyse expenses and suggest cost saving measures including change of suppliers ● Manage the process of sourcing new suppliers and evaluating existing suppliers
● Ensure contracts are maintained & are working effectively.
Health and Safety Compliance
● Ensure that the office complies with the OHS Act and ensure task teams are formed and responsible for safety and First Aid
● Liaise with the Security Manager if there are any emergencies.
● 24/7 On-call duty for emergencies
Budget
● Prepare annual budgets for Units accompanied by a detailed workplan
● Plan, budget, obtain approval and implement projects requiring capital expenditure
● Manage designated cost centres, budgets and capex within budget
● Manage the use of approved budget on an annual basis
IT
● Oversee the IT department, assisting in IT strategy implementation
● Perform IT capacity planning (current and future)
● Oversee and manage the IT budget
Preferred Minimum Qualification(s) and Experience
● Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field
● Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
● Experience working with MS Office and proficient in Excel
● Experience in supervising staff and contractors.
● Capacity to identify and flag complex operations and challenges, break them down into problems that can then be tackled and resolve them.
● Knowledge of market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and cultural nuances across Africa.
Preferred Skills and Behaviours
● Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
● Strong analytical skills
● Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
● Strong negotiation skills
● Ability to multitask and execute requests on time
● Ability to work independently
● Organizational skills and demonstrated team values
● Upholds confidentiality
Our Commitment
Greenpeace Africa is an equal opportunity organization committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, irrespective of gender, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic background.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter & resume [email protected] with Operations Manager as subject. Deadline: 31st March 2026 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
