Director of Operations (m/w/d), Berlin

Terms: Part-time or full-time (min. 3 days up to 40 hours/week) with flexible working arrangements. Remuneration is based on TVöD Bund (grade E 15)
Duration of contract: 24 months, with possibility of extension 
Location: Berlin, Germany
Starting date: As soon as possible, ideally January 2027

About APRI
APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute is an independent, nonpartisan think tank working on the policy questions that shape Africa's place in the world. Through rigorous research and expert analysis, we strengthen the hands of African governments in their partnerships, wherever the terms of those partnerships are set.

APRI has offices in Berlin, Germany, and Abuja, Nigeria, and research and engagement hubs in South Africa, Kenya and Belgium. Our platform connects African policymakers, businesses, civil society and research communities with partners around the world.  

Our network of researchers and experts, drawn from across the continent and beyond, is the power behind APRI. This deep expertise allows us to present and broker African expert perspectives where they are too often missing.
 

About the role
APRI is currently seeking an experienced Director of Operations to join our growing team. They will oversee the organisation's financial, operational, IT and people functions to ensure the efficient and effective achievement of our mission, and report to the Executive Director.

The Director of Operations should be available to work at least three days a week in an office-based role located in Berlin, with permission to live and work full time in Germany, and knowledge and experience of German contract and employment law.

The successful Director of Operations demonstrates achievements with a proven track record, bringing skills and capabilities in four principal areas:

1. Financial Management and Reporting

• Take responsibility for APRIs financial management, policies and systems 
• Keep oversight of APRIs financial position and performance 
• Maintain financial controls, including dual authorisation of payments
• Lead preparation of budgets, financial forecasts and ad hoc analyses 
• Guide formalities relating to contracting and management of expert service providers and consultancies
• Oversee the monthly close and ensure regular, accurate and up-to-date financial reports 
• Coordinate all external audit activities, working closely with the tax advisor to prepare and deliver APRIs annual accounts
• Ensure that deadlines for completing financial statements and tax declarations are met
• Stay informed of changes in legal and financial regulations, ensuring that processes and systems are aligned
• Report to local, regional and national authorities in Germany to meet legal, financial and regulatory requirements for international non-profits, including those for APRIs charitable status (Gemeinnützigkeit) 

• Co-develop budgets for internal and external proposals, working closely with the executive office, country heads and programme leads
• Retain financial oversight of APRIs funding pipeline, cashflow position and burn rate, with regular reviews to identify and address funding gaps
• Ensure budget submissions and supporting financial and administrative documentation meet each funders requirements
• Ensure due diligence on partner organisations and verification of the use of funds for sub-grants and funding-forwarding agreements
• Collaborate to comply with grant agreements, sub-grant and service contracts including financial management and reporting 

2. Operational Effectiveness
Best Practices, Policies and Processes

• Take accountability for best practices and retain oversight of operations management, policies, and systems, including staff training and support for adoption and compliance.
• Contribute to process design and develop internal tools for small-scale enterprises / research institutes along a rapid growth trajectory 
• Apply a project management approach to design, co-development and rapid-value delivery alongside colleagues and team members 
• Monitor and evaluate performance using best practices reporting frameworks 
• Apply expertise in delivering operational excellence to meet shared service needs on time and within budget

• Develop policies and deliver processes along the HR lifecycle including Recruitment, Onboarding and Induction, Performance Management, Professional and Talent Development, Promotion and Exit Management
• Oversee payroll and employment administration for staff employed in Germany, France and Belgium, working with external payroll providers
• Deliver team building and coaching to support engagement and retention  
• Lead on-the-job development, including staff training for skills development, adoption and compliance

3. Information Technology - Applications and Systems 

• Manage and maintain APRIs technology infrastructure and information systems landscape 
• Co-develop APRIs position and policy for use of AI, which respects confidentiality and protects intellectual property
• Identify digital opportunities, evaluate and authorise technology investments for solution and service development
• Lead APRIs data protection compliance, including the record of processing activities, processor agreements and staff training
• Develop plans for crisis and contingency management to prevent adverse impact
• Design, test and implement controls to ensure business continuity in case of cyber incidents, data breaches, system outages and lack of access.

4. Business Administration
Strategic Planning and Organisational Response

• Participate in the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans.
• Identify APRIs operational risks and manage their potential impact
• Ensure the Institute is legally in compliance, and insurance coverage reflects business risk

• Build and lead the business administration function (purchasing, office and supplier management) as required 
• Develop guidelines and policies for Finance, HR, IT and business administration to follow legal requirements
• Hold responsibility for occupational health and safety at work
• Collaborate to organise events and including donor roundtables to showcase research and celebrate thought leadership

Experience and Knowledge

• At least eight years experience leading finance and operations in a grant-funded non-profit or research organisation, ideally a German gGmbH
• Working knowledge of charitable-status rules (Gemeinnützigkeit), annual accounts prepared with a tax advisor (DATEV), payroll and German employment law
• Experience managing grants from public funders such as GIZ/BMZ and from private foundations, including financial reports and audits
• Experience managing a small team and building processes and cloud-based systems in a growing organisation; digitally oriented and data literate
• Business-fluent German and English are essential; French is an advantage
• Experience with cross-border employment (France, Belgium) and organisations working between Europe and Africa is an advantage

Interpersonal

• Experience working in a multi-national and cross-cultural environment 
• Well-honed communication skills with donors, supporters and fundraisers
• International approach and cross-cultural mindset
• Motivating colleagues to deliver preferred outcomes and engaging stakeholders with positive impact
• Credible and effective at and across all levels to ensure quality contributions 
• Open to ideas and responsive to opportunities for continuous improvement

Leadership 

• Effective collaborating with business and technical professionals alike
• Act as a role model and ambassador for organisational culture, diversity and inclusion
• Ethical in word and deed. Free from conflicts of interest
• Enjoys creative thinking and innovative problem solving 
• Confident with ambiguity and comfortable with the new and unknown

APRI is an equal opportunities employer. We are particularly interested to hear from candidates from under-represented groups including women, disabled people, and global majority communities.

To apply, please complete the form below and upload a single pdf document containing your CV and a brief statement of interest before 23 November 2026. 

APRI - Africa Policy Research Institute is an independent, nonpartisan think tank working on the policy questions that shape Africa's place in the world. Through rigorous research and expert analysis, we strengthen the hands of African governments in their partnerships, wherever the terms of those partnerships are set.