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, the Facility has 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.
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, the COO will be the organization's principal internal leader, translating strategic priorities into effective delivery across headquarters, regional teams and global partnerships. The COO will serve as Deputy Executive Director under delegated authority.
Primary 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.
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.
- Ensure that all activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission, values and governance framework of Tenure Facility.
Board and Stakeholder Relations
- Support Executive Director in Board governance, the Board calendar, statutory reporting and the administration of Board committees.
Operational Management, Policy and Planning
- Develop and monitor organizational KPIs and performance frameworks.
- Develop the HR function for effective management of human resources, administration, recruitment and compliance with national and international employment legislation.
- Lead the continuous development of operational systems, digital platforms, data governance and business processes.
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.
- Lead in managing relationships with the Employer's Association, employee representatives, unions, and collective bargaining processes.
- Oversee health, safety, wellbeing, incident management, and organizational risk prevention measures.
Skills and Qualifications
- 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.
- Master's degree in business administration, International Development, Public Administration, International Law or a related field.
- Proven track record of managing decentralized operations, remote regional teams and headquarters across Africa, Asia and/or Latin America.
- Strong experience managing multi-million-dollar grants and ensuring compliance with major institutional donors (e.g. Sida, Norad and the EU).
- Deep functional expertise across corporate services, including Human Resources, IT infrastructure, legal compliance and procurement.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Working proficiency in Swedish is an advantage. Spoken Spanish/French is highly desirable.
- Deep personal and professional commitment to land tenure rights, climate justice, biodiversity and human rights.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden. Other EU locations considered. Contract type: Permanent, Full-time.
Closing date: 2026-09-07
Application link: https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17857541597640041662WlL