Chief Operating Officer

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of more than 150 organizations dedicated to advancing the forest, land, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, and in particular the women within these groups. RRI’s members capitalize on each other’s strengths, expertise, and geographic reach to achieve solutions more effectively and efficiently. RRI leverages the power of its global coalition to amplify the voices of local peoples and proactively engage governments, multilateral institutions, and private sector actors to adopt institutional and market reforms that support the realization of rights.

RRI is coordinated by the Rights and Resources Group (RRG), a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.

If you are passionate about working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples to secure their rights; supporting women’s rights and governance; and combatting climate change, this could be the place for you. RRI does meaningful work to make a positive difference at the global, national, and local scale. For more information about our inclusive and purpose-driven work, check out our current openings.

People of color, people from Indigenous and local communities, women, and LGBTQ+ persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

Chief Operating Officer

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for overseeing, administering and coordinating the operations of the Rights and Resources Group (RRG) and its Montreal, Canada subsidiary. The COO will coordinate with the Senior Management Team and report directly to the President. The COO will be responsible for ensuring that RRG is appropriately staffed and performing in an optimal manner to fulfill its mission, to serve its many client constituencies, and to meet or exceed the requirements of its donor organizations, while finding maximum efficiencies to reduce transaction costs and streamline reporting. The COO will ensure the operational mission of RRG is achieved while adhering to the best practices in non-profit management in the international development sector. The position will require a very talented and effective manager with excellent leadership, communication, administration and financial management skills.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC with a flexible work environment, collaborating three days a week in the office. Candidates must be located in the DC metro area prior to the start date.

Applications will be accepted immediately and interviews conducted on a rolling basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Institutional Management

• Ensure optimal team culture and organizational performance in a multi-cultural work environment with a demanding, diverse and fast-changing work program;
• Proactively identify threats and opportunities to RRG operations in the context of the organization’s international operating environment, and communicate related issues and options to the President and the Senior Management Team;
• Provide overall financial oversight and monitoring, and present relevant financial data and analysis to the President and Senior Management Team;
• Support and advise the President and Senior Management Team in decision making and risk management;
• Ensure appropriate funding opportunities are pursued and secured;
• Ensure monitoring and reporting of organizational financial forecasts and performance to the Senior Management Team, the Board of Directors, and to donors;
• Work with the President and the Senior Management Team to support and respond to the recommendations and decisions of the Board of Directors;
• Serve as administrator for institutional arrangements, including retirement plans, insurance, and legal domiciliation;
• Oversee management of governance and compliance issues; and
• Manage special projects as required.

2. Financial Management

• Supervise the Director of Finance and Administration;
• Provide the organization’s fiscal oversight, conduct forward-looking financial analysis, and proactively contribute recommendations to the President and Senior Management Team regarding financial decisions and the mitigation of institutional risk;
• Oversee cash forecasting and deployment, including reserve management, investment policy implementation;
• Oversee the relationship with organization auditors and support the Audit Committee and Treasurer of the Board of Directors;
• Ensure and provide guidance to annual planning, financial forecasts, budget preparation, and ongoing monitoring processes including establishment of parameters and timetables; and
• Maintain strong donor relations, ensuring timely and accurate financial, narrative, and impacts reporting and proactive sharing of information.

3. Human Resources

• Supervise the HR Manager and provide guidance to the human resource function for RRG including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, contract negotiation, and compensation; benefits administration and oversight; professional training and development; retention strategies; evaluation of staff performance; regulatory oversight and legal compliance; and
• Ensure that the human resource function is properly resourced and represented within the Senior Management Team.

4. Operations

• Deliver effective oversight, administration, and coordination of RRG’s operations, IT systems, general facilities, and technology support vendor;
• Identify areas for enhancing operational efficiency, including reduction of cost and administrative burden and integration of new technologies; and
• Ensure RRG adheres to the best practices in operational, financial, technology, and human resource management, and complies with all applicable laws and regulations within the highest standards of accountability and transparency.

Qualifications:

• An MBA or equivalent in formal training;
• At least 15 years of directly relevant experience;
• Demonstrated strong track record of successfully managing international non-profits;
• Strong fiscal management, personnel management, communication, and strategic thinking skills are essential qualifications;
• Fully fluent in English and preferably one other major international language, particularly Spanish or French;
• Personal attributes of leadership, proactive collaboration and problem-solving skills, team building, negotiation experience, and the ability to resolve conflicts are very strongly desired.

Benefits

Rights and Resources Group recognizes the value of benefits to employees and their families. We take great pride in offering our dedicated and committed employees a competitive benefits package. Our comprehensive benefit programs provide you with a reliable, effective, and affordable array of choices that will meet your needs and those of your family.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 100% coverage of employee premiums for the following: short-term/long-term disability insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, and the employee assistant program
• If eligible, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• 25+ days of leave annually, in addition to paid holidays
• Flextime, teleworking, and work from home options
• Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year after 1 full year of employment
• Dynamic growth opportunities with merit-based promotion philosophy

Rights and Resources Group (RRG) is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, RRG makes all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation or any other category protected by applicable law.