At ALIMAAssistant to the Director of Operations – Dakar Headquarters – M/F

Leave a Comment / Senegal / By

ALIMA PRESENTATION

THE ALIMA SPIRIT : ALIMA’s mission is to save lives and provide care to the most vulnerable populations, without any discrimination based on identity, religion, or politics, through actions grounded in proximity, innovation, and partnerships between organizations and individuals. We act with humanity, impartiality, and in accordance with universal medical ethics. To reach patients, we are committed to intervening in a neutral and independent manner.

The values ​​and principles guiding our actions, as outlined in our Charter:

  1. The patient first
  2. Revolutionizing humanitarian medicine
  3. Responsibility and freedom
  4. Improve the quality of our actions
  5. Trust
  6. L’intelligence collective
  7. Environmental responsibility

ALIMA promotes and defends fundamental human rights principles. ALIMA has a zero-tolerance policy towards those guilty of gender-based and sexual violence, as well as towards inaction in the face of alleged or proven acts of violence. The protection of those benefiting from and impacted by our work is our top priority in everything we do. Everyone collaborating with ALIMA commits to:

  • Respect the charter, the code of conduct, institutional policies including the policy for protection against abuse of power and gender-based and sexual violence, the policy for the prevention of corruption and fraud;
  • Report any violation of policies, framework documents and procedures to a superior, a supervisor, a referent [or to alert@alima.ngo].

HEALING – INNOVATING – TOGETHER : Since its creation in 2009, ALIMA has treated more than 10 million patients and now operates in 14 African countries. By 2026, we had developed 54 humanitarian medical response projects to meet the needs of populations affected by conflict, epidemics, and extreme poverty. All of these projects support national health authorities through primary healthcare delivered in communities and health centers, as well as secondary and tertiary care. We work in partnership, particularly with local NGOs, whenever possible to ensure our patients benefit from expertise wherever it is found, whether in their own country or elsewhere in the world. Furthermore, to improve the humanitarian response, we conduct operational and clinical research projects, notably in the areas of combating malnutrition, pediatrics, maternal health, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. ALIMA also conducts several responses to epidemic emergencies such as Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera, Mpox, diphtheria, meningitis, measles, etc.

OUR PROJECT THEMES : Malnutrition, Sexual and reproductive health including gender-based violence, primary and secondary health, pediatrics, epidemics, surgery, mental health and research.

OUR COUNTRIES OF INTERVENTION : Mali, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Guinea, South Sudan, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Haiti and Sudan.

JOB CONTEXT / JOB POSITION

This is a strategic, high-level position requiring strong leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills. The Deputy Director of Operations acts as a crucial link between operations management, operational managers, and field teams. They must be able to translate a comprehensive strategic vision into the practical support of operations.

The position also involves a strong capacity for representation, influence and negotiation, as well as significant availability during crisis or emergency situations.

JOB TITLE : Assistant to the Director of Operations

DEPARTMENT : Operations

LOCATION OF ASSIGNMENT : Headquarters / Operational Office / Dakar

FUNCTIONAL AND HIERARCHICAL LINKS

Hierarchical link: He/She reports to the Director of Operations.

PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Level 3: As part of their duties, the incumbent will be required to visit programs and be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or a certificate of good conduct will be required. In situations where it is impossible to provide a criminal record check or a certificate of good conduct, a sworn statement will be requested.

MAIN MISSION

  • Support for operational strategy: Contribute to the definition, implementation and monitoring of ALIMA’s operational strategy.
  • Performance management: Support the Director of Operations in managing the operational portfolio through continuous monitoring of mission performance.
  • Management of cross-functional strategic projects: Manage cross-functional strategic projects assigned by the Director of Operations.
  • Continuity of operational management: Ensure continuity of management during the absences of the Director of Operations.

Specific responsibilities and tasks

Axis 1: Support for operational strategy

  • To actively contribute to the development and implementation of ALIMA’s operational strategy.
  • To contribute to the analysis of humanitarian, political, security and health contexts by facilitating a cross-cutting reading of the issues and their impacts on operations.
  • Supporting program managers in identifying priority humanitarian needs and intervention opportunities.
  • Prepare the analyses and recommendations necessary for decisions regarding the opening, development, suspension or closure of programs.
  • Ensure the consistency of operations with ALIMA’s strategic directions in conjunction with the operations director.
  • To propose changes to the operational strategy in light of evolving contexts, new crises and emergency responses.
  • Contribute to the exercises of balance sheet, capitalization and analysis of the overall performance of the operating portfolio.

Axis 2: Operational Performance Management

  • To ensure, alongside the Director of Operations, continuous monitoring of the operational performance of missions and to support the Program Managers in the management of their portfolio.
  • Ensure continuous monitoring of mission performance through the monitoring of SITREP, action plans, periodic reviews and key operational indicators.
  • Regularly analyze key operational, medical, financial, HR and security indicators in order to make necessary adjustments.
  • Identify the gaps between the objectives set and the results obtained, anticipate operational risks and propose the necessary adjustments.
  • Supporting Program Managers in analyzing the performance of their portfolio and monitoring corrective actions.
  • Facilitating the resolution of complex operational problems by mobilizing stakeholders.
  • Ensure the ALIMA operations dashboard is regularly updated.
  • Promote a culture of performance monitoring, continuous improvement and learning.

Axis 3: Management of strategic and cross-functional projects

  • Manage cross-functional strategic projects assigned by the Director of Operations.
  • Define, in conjunction with stakeholders, the governance, roadmap and implementation methods for the projects.
  • Coordinate Programme Managers and relevant departments to ensure consistent project implementation.
  • Monitor project progress, identify risks, propose necessary trade-offs and implement corrective actions.
  • Ensure that project objectives, deliverables and deadlines are met.
  • Provide regular reporting to the Director of Operations.
  • Capitalize on the lessons learned from the projects and promote their dissemination within operations.
  • Participate, when necessary, in internal or external working groups, task forces and strategic initiatives.

Axis 4: Continuity of operational direction and management by delegation

  • To ensure, by delegation, the continuity of the management of the Operations Department during the absences of the Director of Operations.
  • Represent the Operations Department to internal and external bodies when mandated.
  • To manage Program Managers and operational teams during periods of delegation.
  • To ensure the continuity of operational decisions and necessary arbitrations.
  • Ensure effective coordination between Program Managers, technical departments and other stakeholders.
  • Participate in operational governance meetings and bodies.
  • To foster a work environment based on collaboration, responsibility and collective intelligence.
  • Supporting Program Managers in their decision-making when necessary.

Axis 5: Risk Management and Security

  • Working closely with the medical, logistics, HR, finance, procurement, communications and advocacy departments.
  • Facilitate collaboration between headquarters and field teams.
  • Contribute to the arbitration between operational priorities and available resources.
  • Participate in operational governance meetings and bodies.
  • Ensuring the efficient flow of strategic information.

Specific responsibilities in emergency situations

In the event of a major crisis, the Deputy Director of Operations may be required to:

  • Participate in the rapid needs analysis;
  • Contribute to the decision to intervene;
  • Coordinate the mobilization of human, financial and material resources;
  • Support the implementation of an emergency response;
  • Monitor the evolving context and adapt the strategy;
  • Participate in the management of critical incidents;
  • To ensure the link between the field and the decision-making bodies at headquarters.

This job description may be modified, depending on how the work evolves.

Functional relationships

Internal relations:

  • Director of Operations
  • Program Managers
  • Security advisor
  • Operational medical managers
  • Specific project managers
  • Taskforce coordinators
  • Head of Logistics Department
  • Head of Medical Services
  • Head of Research
  • Operations Support Officer

External relations:

  • National and local authorities
  • Humanitarian organizations
  • Operational partners
  • International institutions
  • Humanitarian networks and platforms

Performance indicators

The performance of the position can be assessed in particular through:

  • The quality and relevance of the operational portfolio;
  • Achieving strategic objectives;
  • The quality of the management of missions and programs;
  • The proper implementation of specific projects;
  • Achieving the indicators of the pilot projects;
  • The effectiveness of the implementation of cross-cutting issues;
  • Updating and mastering the operations dashboard;
  • The ability to anticipate and manage risks;
  • The quality of operational decisions;
  • The quality of collaboration between departments;
  • The ability to ensure a rapid and appropriate response to crises;
  • Contributing to learning and continuous improvement of operations.

Principles and values

The Assistant Director of Operations fully adheres to the principles and values ​​of the ALIMA charter, in particular:

  • Patient-centered operations;
  • Independence;
  • Impartiality;
  • Neutrality;
  • Medical ethics;
  • Responsibility towards patients and communities;
  • Respect for human dignity;
  • Responsibility and transparency.

Experiences & Skills

Education and Qualifications:

  • Higher education (Master’s or PhD), in public health, management, humanitarian management, medicine or any other relevant field.
  • Additional training in humanitarian management, leadership or management is an asset.
  • Experience required:
    • Proven experience in managing complex, multi-site programs at headquarters level.
    • Field experience within an international humanitarian organization is highly desirable.
    • Experience in the cross-functional management of strategic projects involving multiple stakeholders or programs.
    • Experience in managing multicultural teams.
    • Experience in strategic analysis and decision-making in complex environments.
    • Experience in managing crisis situations and security risks.
    • Experience in facilitating networks or functional teams without direct hierarchical link.
  • Technical skills:
    • Excellent strategic analysis skills;
    • A good understanding of humanitarian operations;
    • An ability to make decisions in uncertain environments;
    • Strong program management skills;
    • A good grasp of risk management;
    • Proven planning and prioritization skills;
    • A good understanding of the medical and humanitarian issues;
    • An ability to analyze operational and financial data;
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
    • A good command of computer tools and reporting systems.
  • Managerial and behavioral skills:
    • Strategic Leadership
    • Decision-making
    • Capacity for influence
    • Change management
    • Resilience and stress management
    • Ability to work in uncertainty
    • Intercultural communication
    • Listening and diplomacy
    • Negotiation skills
    • Spirit of collaboration
    • results orientation
    • ethical and humanitarian sense
    • Ability to manage competing priorities
  • LANGUAGES :French & English: Fluent

Conditions

  • Contract duration and type: Permanent contract under Senegalese law, position based in Dakar
  • Start date: ASAP
  • Salary: According to ALIMA salary scale
  • 2.75 days of paid leave per month;
  • Supplementary health insurance coverage, provided by ALIMA for the employee and their dependents;

How to apply

  • To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter online before 08/09/2026 here: https://alliance.alima.ngo/jobs/adjoint-e-au-directeur-des-operations-siege-hf-367
  • Applications are processed in the order they are received.
  • ALIMA reserves the right to close the offer before the initially indicated deadline if a candidate is successful. Only complete applications (CV in PDF format + cover letter) will be considered.
  • Applications from women are strongly encouraged.