Head of Operations

Role Overview

Nuru Solutions is seeking a Head of Operations to lead and mature the operational functions crucial to scaling the company’s work in building farm-level data infrastructure for lenders, insurers, and agribusinesses supporting smallholder farmers. This expansive role encompasses ownership of all operations outside of product, engineering, and sales, requiring the development of effective systems and teams across multiple geographies.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee field operations and internalize ground-truth data collection efforts. Design and manage the enumerator and field agent model, set and maintain quality benchmarks, control cost-per-farm metrics, and coordinate deployments in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Somalia aligned with regional cropping cycles.
• Lead talent acquisition for the current hiring phase involving ten positions, including three leadership roles, working with external recruiters and advisory panels. Manage onboarding, implement ongoing performance review and OKR processes, and supervise seven Mastercard Foundation Associates to ensure their development and productivity.
• Manage finance operations and ensure regulatory compliance across four countries. Coordinate with outsourced service providers handling statutory submissions, payroll, audits, and corporate governance, verifying timely completion and accuracy without direct bookkeeping involvement.
• Handle business operations including contract and vendor management, administration of internal systems and procedures, and preparation of operational reports for grant funders and investors.

Success Targets within Six Months

• Successfully running in-house field data collection in at least one market with clear quality standards and established cost benchmarks.
• Completion of recruitment and onboarding for all ten open roles, full integration and support for Mastercard Foundation Associates resulting in optimal productivity.
• Maintaining an active compliance calendar covering all four entities, ensuring zero missed statutory deadlines or regulatory risks.
• Consistent, timely OKR setting, tracking, and reporting executed independently of executive intervention.
• Development of a hiring roadmap for building a dedicated operations and talent support team including local field coordinators.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

• Proven expertise managing large-scale field operations across multiple African countries, with a deep understanding of cost drivers and quality determinants in ground-truth data collection.
• Ability to simultaneously hold responsibility for compliance deadlines and operational team management.
• A demonstrated history of creating sustainable operational systems and building resilient teams.
• Strong operational leadership that identifies unassigned responsibilities and ensures they are managed effectively, without requiring specialized finance expertise.