Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Upsall International

Background

The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility (Tenure Facility) is the main global funding mechanism dedicated to advancing the land tenure and territorial governance of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities at scale. Since 2017, we have channelled global funding to these groups, with measurable results—including millions of hectares of pristine forest secured and defended, stronger community governance, and lasting capacity within partner organizations.

We advance such outcomes by funding Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local community partner organizations to assist communities to map and monitor their territories, strengthen governance bodies, develop territorial management plans, and prepare and submit land claims. We also support our partners to improve their strategies and internal systems, hire and train staff, and invest in essential equipment.

To scale and improve these efforts, we and our partners document and share lessons learned and engage in multi-stakeholder platforms, policy dialogues, and learning exchanges. Our support is long-term and flexible, delivered through a global portfolio of projects implemented by partner organizations.

The successful candidate will be joining Tenure Facility at an important stage of its journey, to help develop and translate new strategy into action, strengthen the organization's operating model to support frontline communities secure their land tenure, thrive and generate diverse financing mechanisms for protecting and defending forests, waters and nature, for climate and conservation.

Purpose of role

As Tenure Facility continues to grow and evolve, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a central role in ensuring it has the leadership, governance, agility and organizational capacity needed to deliver its mission and strategic objectives.

Reporting to the Executive Director, as part of the Management Team, the COO will be the organization’s principal internal leader, translating strategic priorities into effective delivery across headquarters, regional teams and global partnerships.

Leading Operations, the COO will provide the day-to-day management needed to ensure the organization functions effectively, overseeing legal, policy compliance, People and Culture/Human Resources, IT, procurement, contracts, risk management, planning and operational monitoring.

A key priority will be strengthening the People and Culture function. This will require ensuring compliance with Swedish employment legislation, labor relations and trade union frameworks, while developing policies and practices that support international teams across multiple countries and cultures.

The COO will serve as Deputy Executive Director under delegated authority, providing leadership continuity and decision-making when required.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities:

Leadership and Organizational Development

Support the Executive Director in enabling a purpose driven, high performing, globally distributed team to deliver the strategic plan.
Provide organizational analysis and design to support the Executive Director in decision-making.
Advise the Executive Director and Board on operational effectiveness, organizational growth, crisis management, disaster recovery and operational resilience.
Promote a culture of learning, innovation, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Partner with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to support organizational growth, scalability and long-term sustainability.

Policy Compliance and Risk Management

Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of organizational policies, procedures and internal control systems.
Ensure all organizational activities, contracts and agreements comply with Swedish legislation, GDPR, employment legislation, collective bargaining agreements and information governance requirements.
Oversee enterprise risk management processes, including risk identification, mitigation, monitoring and reporting.
Oversee the delegation of authority framework.
Ensure that all activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission, values and governance framework of Tenure Facility.
Support organizational safeguarding, accountability, anti-corruption, procurement, whistleblower and ethical conduct systems.

Board and Stakeholder Relations

Support Executive Director in Board governance, the Board calendar, statutory reporting and the administration of Board committees.
Keep the Executive Director apprised of critical organizational matters related to key stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendants, and local communities (IPADLC) and other allies, external partners and service providers.

Specific responsibilities

Operational Management, Policy and Planning

Develop and monitor organizational KPIs and performance frameworks to support strategic objectives and organizational effectiveness.
Work with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to prepare annual workplans and operational plans aligned with strategic priorities.
Develop the HR function for effective management of human resources, administration, recruitment and compliance with national and international employment legislation.
Ensure effective contract management systems and oversight of external providers.
Enable integrated and effective collaboration across headquarters, regional teams and partners.
Lead the continuous development of the Tenure Facility operational systems, digital platforms, data governance and business processes, ensuring it supports organizational effectiveness and adapts to evolving technologies and ways of working.

Organizational Transformation and Learning

Support the Management Team in implementation of hybrid organizational development initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness and resilience.
Promote learning, knowledge management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Provide guidance in efficient hybrid operational management accountability, IT and digital strategy and innovation, information governance, cyber security, and organizational learning in these areas.
Strengthen internal communication and collaboration across all levels of the organization and across geographic locations.

Global Operations and Institutional Strengthening

Ensure operational consistency and quality standards across the organization.
Support the strengthening of regional operational capacities, systems, and management practices.
Develop frameworks that balance global standards with regional flexibility and responsiveness.
Oversee the development and implementation of organizational systems that support sustainable growth and international expansion.

Team Leadership, People and Culture Management

Work with the Executive Director to foster a culture of purpose-driven leadership, empowerment, collaboration, inclusion, well-being, and continuous learning.
Support HR to develop and implement good planning for recruitment, talent development, onboarding, and staff wellbeing.
Oversee HR and Unit Managers to develop and conduct staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, establish priorities, conduct annual performance reviews, and oversee compensation processes.
Ensure that managers are supported and trained to fulfil their people management responsibilities effectively and undergo professional development.
Lead in managing relationships with the Employer’s Association, employee representatives, unions, and collective bargaining processes.
Strengthen HR team, ensure a safe, healthy, inclusive, and productive working environment through systematic working environment management (SAM).
Oversee health, safety, wellbeing, incident management, and organizational risk prevention measures.

Sustainability, Diversity and Organizational Values

Support implementation of sustainability, ESG, diversity, equity, inclusion, and organizational values commitments.
Promote responsible organizational practices and contribute to long term institutional credibility and effectiveness.
Ensure that organizational culture and operational practices reflect Tenure Facility’s mission, values and commitment to accountability and equity.

Skills and qualifications

Executive Leadership: Minimum of 10-15 years’ progressive management experience, including at least five years in an executive or senior operations role within an international organization or global NGO.
Advanced Degree: Master’s degree in business administration, International Development, Public Administration, International Law or a related field.
Global Operations: Proven track record of managing decentralized operations, remote regional teams and headquarters across Africa, Asia and/or Latin America.
Funder Compliance: Strong experience managing multi-million-dollar grants and ensuring compliance with major institutional donors (e.g. Sida, Norad and the EU).

Competencies

Operational Oversight: Deep functional expertise across corporate services, including Human Resources, IT infrastructure, legal compliance and procurement.
Risk and Resilience: Demonstrated success in designing and implementing enterprise risk management frameworks, data security policies and disaster recovery plans.
Strategic Execution: Ability to translate high-level strategic vision into practical, measurable and scalable implementation plans.
Change Management: Strong background in institutional growth, organizational design and scaling operational systems to support expanding global mandates.
Governance: Strong understanding of organizational governance, Board support, internal controls and regulatory compliance.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Working proficiency in Swedish is an advantage. Spoken Spanish/French is highly desirable.
Cultural Diplomacy: Exceptional cross-cultural communication skills with a proven ability to collaborate respectfully with Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant Peoples, local communities and international stakeholders.
Value Alignment: Deep personal and professional commitment to land tenure rights, climate justice, biodiversity and human rights.

To apply for the post

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement. Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

If you have any questions about the role or organization, please reach out to Emma Adams at emma@upsallinternational.com. Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR regulations, applications via email will not be accepted.

The deadline for applications is Monday 7^th September, 9:00 am CET ·

Stay updated on the latest jobs by subscribing to our Global Charity Jobs weekly bulletin, and if you’re looking for a rewarding career in the non-profit sector, join our talent pool.

Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.