{"id":13282,"date":"2026-05-03T10:42:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T10:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobsnocap.com\/?post_type=job&p=13282"},"modified":"2026-05-03T10:42:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T10:42:16","slug":"head-of-operations","status":"publish","type":"job","link":"https:\/\/jobsnocap.com\/lo\/job\/head-of-operations\/","title":{"rendered":"Head of Operations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WCS is looking for a\u00a0\u201cHead of Operations, WCS Laos\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0to join our team.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd Location: Vientiane, Laos
\n\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Type: Full-Time
\n\ud83d\udd57 Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (1.5-hour lunch break)
\n\u2022 Reports to (Supervisors): Deputy Country Director, WCS Laos
\n\u2022 Country Program\/Sector: WCS Lao Program, Greater Mekong Region, GCP
\n\u2022 Expected travel: Regular travel to field sites or overseas will be required
\n\u2022 Supervisory For:
\nFinance Manager, Grant and Compliance Manager, Human Resources Manager, and Administrative Manager<\/p>\n

\u2022 Organization Background:<\/strong>
\nThe Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Job Purpose Summary:<\/strong>
\nThe Head of Operations provides strategic oversight and leadership of all operational functions of the WCS Laos program, ensuring that systems, teams, and processes operate cohesively to support effective program delivery and organizational growth.
\nThis role is responsible for driving operational excellence across finance, grants, procurement, HR and administration, while ensuring strong coordination across programs, early identification of risks and bottlenecks, and timely resolution of challenges.
\nReporting directly to the Deputy Country Director, the position plays a critical role in establishing a structured, efficient, and responsive operating environment, while fostering a shared mission, accountability, and team cohesion across both operations and program teams.
\nThe Head of Operations also serves as the primary operational focal point with regional and global teams, ensuring alignment, coordination, and consistency across all levels of the organization<\/p>\n

\u2022 Core Responsibilities<\/strong>
\nA. General Operational Leadership and Oversight<\/strong>
\n1. Provide overall strategic oversight of all WCS Laos operation functions (finance, grant, procurement, HR, and administrative systems) for the Vientiane head office and field offices.
\n2. Ensure that WCS Laos operations comply with Lao PDR laws and regulations, donor requirements, and WCS global policies as a US-registered 501(c)(3) organization and an INGO registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR.
\n3. Establish and maintain clear and efficient operational systems and structures
\n4. Ensure operations effectively enable conservation program implementation and delivery across all WCS Laos projects\/programs.
\n5. Serve as a key operational advisor to the Deputy Country Director and Country Director
\n6. Provide insight and recommendations on operational strategy, structure, and risk management
\n7. Support organizational growth by ensuring operational readiness and scalability.<\/p>\n

B. Cross-Program Coordination and Integration<\/strong>
\n8. Ensure smooth coordination between operations and program teams
\n9. Strengthen internal alignment, communication flows, and shared accountability across functions
\n10. Promote a one-program approach, minimizing silos between programs
\n11. Act as the central coordination point to resolve cross-cutting operational issues affecting program implementation<\/p>\n

C. Workflow, Systems and Process Optimization<\/strong>
\n12. Lead the development and continuous improvement of clear workflows, SOPs, and decision-making structures
\n13. Ensure processes are practical and outcome-oriented
\n14. Identify inefficiencies and drive structural improvements to enhance speed, clarity and effectiveness
\n15. Proactively identify operational risks, bottlenecks and systemic issues
\n16. Lead structured, solution-oriented approaches to resolve challenges in a timely and sustainable manner<\/p>\n

D. Financial and Resource Oversight<\/strong>
\n17. Provide oversight of financial planning, budget management, and resource allocation to ensure sustainability and accountability
\n18. Ensure alignment between program priorities and financial planning
\n19. Oversee financial performance monitoring and support informed decision-making
\n20. Direct coordination with regional and global finance teams<\/p>\n

E. Grant Management and Compliance Oversight<\/strong>
\n21. Ensure robust systems are in place for grant management, compliance, and reporting
\n22. Oversee adherence to donor requirements and internal policies
\n23. Strengthen systems for tracking, accountability, and audit readiness
\n24. Ensure timely and coordinated responses to audits and compliance reviews<\/p>\n

F. Procurement and Asset Management Oversight<\/strong>
\n25. Oversee procurement systems to ensure transparency, efficiency, and compliance with WCS and donor procurement policies.
\n26. Ensure procurement plans are developed and implemented to support program needs.
\n27. Oversee the development and maintenance of asset management systems across the Vientiane office and field offices, including inventories, tracking, and lifecycle management.<\/p>\n

G. Human Resources Management and Administration Oversight<\/strong>
\n28. Oversee HR systems to ensure compliance with Lao labor law and WCS policies.
\n29. Support effective recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes for staff.
\n30. Ensure administrative functions effectively support both the Vientiane office and field sites.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf93 Qualifications:<\/strong>
\nThe successful candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership, business partnering and influencing skills. S\/He must have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor, leader and listener in group settings. S\/He must be well organized, resourceful, effective and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done; can work on multiple tasks at multiple levels and switch between them; can foresee and plan around obstacles.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Education:<\/strong>
\n\u2013 MSc\/Bachelor degree required. Related program of study such as finance, accounting, economics or business highly preferred.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Experience:<\/strong>
\n\u2013 Proven financial and operational management experience in an international organization (15+ years) with progressive leadership experience.
\n\u2013 Proven experience in field operations, troubleshooting, and systems planning in challenging environments.
\n\u2013 Proven leadership qualities including staff management and management of annual budget >$4million
\n\u2013 Experience with grants management and grant reporting in a multi-funder environment<\/p>\n

\u2022 Knowledge and skills:<\/strong>
\n\u2013 Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team. Must be solution-oriented and have strong problem solving and analytical skills.
\n\u2013 Proficiency in Lao and English is required. Demonstrated excellent writing, speaking, and editing skills in Lao and proficiency in English speaking, listening, and writing.
\n\u2013 Excellent computer and systems skills required with respect to MS Office applications (advanced skills in MS Excel required) and major financial accounting and reporting software (SAP or equivalent)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Personal qualities<\/strong>
\n\u2013 Demonstrate patience, flexibility, and cultural sensitivity.
\n\u2013 Commitment to teamwork, integrity, and WCS\u2019s conservation mission.
\n\u2013 Ability to live and work in remote field conditions.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcec To Apply:<\/strong>
\nInterested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV to\u00a0\ud83d\udce7 recruitmentlaos@wcs.org<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f\u00a0Deadline: 19 May 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdd Subject line: Please include\u00a0\u201cHead of Operations, WCS Laos\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0in the subject line of your email.<\/p>\n

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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recruitmentlao<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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