Venezuela – Operations Coordinator (National) At COOPI – International Cooperation

About COOPI

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is a secular and independent NGO, founded in Milan in 1965. It carries out development projects to contribute to the fight against inequality and emergency programs to support people affected by natural disasters or conflicts. Currently, COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Since 2019, COOPI has maintained a presence in Venezuela, and in July 2020, it launched a regional program implemented in partnership with Venezuelan organizations and in coordination with local and international institutions, within the framework of existing response plans. In recent years, COOPI has expanded its interventions and currently carries out projects with various donors in Caracas, Sucre, Delta Amacuro, and Bolívar states, focusing on protection, sexual and reproductive health, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), school feeding, the environment, and institutional strengthening.

Following the earthquakes that occurred on June 24, 2026, COOPI in Venezuela has further expanded its portfolio of interventions through emergency response projects.

Job objective/description

Under the direct supervision of the Country Coordinator, the Operations Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing and supporting the operational implementation of COOPI’s project portfolio in Venezuela, ensuring compliance with work plans, schedules, budgets, and operational commitments.

It will accompany the Project Managers or Supervisors in the management of their projects, facilitating the monitoring of execution, the strengthening of their capacities and the timely resolution of blockages and deviations.

It will work in close coordination with Programs, Administration, Logistics, MEAL, HR, Base Coordination and other mission functions, respecting the areas of technical and functional responsibility of each department.

The function will be primarily focused on the management and execution of projects, without replacing the responsibilities of the Base Coordinators in the territorial management of the offices and support services, nor the technical and programmatic responsibilities of the Program Coordination.

The position aims to strengthen the autonomy and management skills of project managers, providing support and guidance tailored to the needs and experience of each individual. Priority will be given to candidates with national experience.

Areas of responsibility

1. Supervision of project implementation

To accompany and follow up with Project Managers and Supervisors in defining priorities, objectives and periodic monitoring mechanisms.
Ensure that each project has clearly defined and up-to-date work plans, schedules, tracking tools, and responsibilities.
Systematically monitor the progress of activities, products, results and key contractual milestones, promptly identifying delays, deviations and implementation risks.
Work with project managers in defining and monitoring corrective measures when there are delays or difficulties in execution.
Promote proactive project management, supporting PMs in identifying alternatives and solutions to operational roadblocks.
Ensure the timely monitoring and closure of pending decisions, processes, and actions related to project execution.
Conduct regular visits to the intervention areas and follow-up meetings with project and grassroots teams.
Regularly inform the Country Coordination team about progress, risks, decision needs, and situations that may compromise the execution of the projects.

2. Management and development of Project Managers

To support Project Managers and Supervisors in the planning, organization and prioritization of their work and in the management of the teams under their responsibility.
Strengthen capabilities and performance in project cycle management, planning, financial monitoring, team management, risk anticipation and problem solving.
Conduct individual and group follow-up meetings and provide regular feedback on performance and priorities.
Participate, together with HR and the Country Coordination, in the selection, induction, evaluation and development processes of the Project Managers.
Identify training and support needs, particularly for new or junior profiles.
To foster a culture of responsibility, initiative, fulfillment of commitments and collaboration between projects and departments.

3. Financial monitoring and operational planning of projects

Ensure, in coordination with Country Administration and without replacing its financial and administrative control responsibilities, the periodic monitoring of the financial situation of its projects.
Review the budget, burn rate, forecasts, and spending projections with the PMs, verifying their consistency with the activity plans and schedules.
Identify early deviations between planned execution and financial execution and ensure the preparation of corrective measures.
Ensure that the financial projections and operational needs of the projects are prepared well in advance and shared with Management.
Facilitate coordination between PM and Administration when there are blockages or decisions that may affect budget execution.
To monitor, from the perspective of project execution, budget modifications, realignments and other needs identified during implementation.
The accounting, financial and eligibility validation of expenses will continue to be the responsibility of the Administration.

4. Project procurement and logistics monitoring

Ensure, in coordination with Country Logistics, Administration and Base Coordinators, that each project has an updated and consistent purchasing and procurement plan that aligns with its work plan and schedule.
Ensure that PMs and project teams adequately anticipate the needs for goods, services, transportation, and other resources necessary for execution.
Monitor the status of key procurement and contracting processes related to projects, identifying early on potential delays that may affect activities or results.
Facilitate coordination between PM, Logistics and Base when operational blockages exist.
Ensure that PMs properly integrate the timings of logistical and administrative procedures into their planning.
Monitor the availability and use of project resources from the perspective of their impact on implementation.
The management of suppliers, procurement procedures, fleet, warehouses, assets and other institutional logistics functions will remain the responsibility of Logística País and, within its territorial scope, of the corresponding Base structures.

5. Coordination of execution and relationship with other departments

Act as the main point of contact between the PMs and the different coordination functions when there are needs or blockages related to execution.
Maintain systematic coordination with Programs on technical aspects, program quality, indicators, MEAL and modifications that may affect the design of interventions.
Coordinate with Administration the financial and contractual aspects related to the execution.
Coordinate with Logistics the operational processes necessary for implementation.
Coordinate with HR regarding staffing needs, performance, and project team management.
Maintain regular coordination with the Base Coordinators to ensure proper alignment between project management and the operational conditions of each territory.
Promote clear communication about responsibilities, decisions and deadlines between projects, departments and bases.
The Operations Coordination will not exercise hierarchical supervision over the Base Coordinations or over the support departments, except by temporary and express delegation from the Country Coordination.

6. Monitoring of reporting and project commitments

Ensure that PMs keep the schedule of key deliverables, contractual milestones, and obligations for their projects up to date.
Follow up on the timely preparation of the technical, operational, and financial inputs required for internal reports, donor reports, modifications, and other contractual processes.
Ensure that PMs provide complete information within the established deadlines to the functions responsible for consolidating and reviewing reports.
Provide timely alerts about delays or difficulties that may compromise contractual deliverables.
The technical review, programmatic consolidation and specialized grant management will be carried out in coordination with the functions responsible for Programs/Grants.

7. Risk management and block resolution

Identify, together with the PMs, operational, financial, contractual, human resources or implementation risks that may affect the projects.
Ensure that mitigation measures, responsible parties, and deadlines are defined for the main risks identified.
Facilitate the resolution of blockages between projects, bases and departments and escalate to the Country Coordination those that require higher level decisions.
Maintain a consolidated view of the main risks and operational needs of the project portfolio.
Contribute to institutional learning by identifying recurring problems, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement in internal processes.
Technical risks will be addressed through Programs; financial risks through Management; logistical risks through Logistics; and security risks in accordance with the structure and responsibilities established by the mission.

8. Temporary support for projects, bases and new interventions

At the express request of the Country Coordination, provide temporary operational support during the launch of new projects, transitions, critical phases or periods of high workload.
Temporarily assume project management functions when there is a PM vacancy, until the responsible person is incorporated.
To exceptionally support a Base when there is a vacancy or temporary need for coordination reinforcement, with a previously defined mandate and period.
Support the implementation of new operations and facilitate their subsequent transfer to the appropriate person.
Contribute to emergency responses or rapid increases in operations when the mission requires additional management capacity.
These functions will be temporary and will not modify the permanent responsibilities of the Project, Base or national department structures.

9. Complementary activities

Promote compliance with COOPI’s institutional procedures and the Code of Conduct in the teams under your supervision.
Contribute to a professional, collaborative and respectful work environment.
Participate in mission planning and coordination meetings.
Represent COOPI, when delegated by the Country Coordination, in meetings specifically related to the operational implementation of projects.
Perform those tasks inherent to the position and requested by the Country Coordination, according to the context and needs of the mission.

Desired profile

Professional with solid experience in managing and implementing humanitarian and/or development projects, supervising Project Managers, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams. We are especially seeking a candidate with strong project management, monitoring, problem-solving, and team development skills, capable of combining a comprehensive portfolio overview with practical support for project managers.

ESSENTIALS

University degree in International Cooperation, Project Management, Social Sciences, Administration, Engineering, International Relations or related areas.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in managing humanitarian or development projects with international NGOs, international agencies or similar organizations.
Demonstrable experience as a Senior Project Coordinator, Operations Coordinator or equivalent position.
Proven experience in supervision, support and development of Project Managers or project management teams.
Mastery of the project management cycle: planning, execution, monitoring, reporting and closure.
Experience in financial monitoring of projects, including budgets, forecasts, spending plans, performance analysis, and expenditure planning.
Experience in planning and monitoring acquisitions and logistical needs related to projects.
Knowledge of procedures and requirements of institutional donors, particularly European Union/ECHO, United Nations and/or bilateral cooperation.
Proven ability to detect roadblocks, analyze problems and develop practical solutions.
Experience in team management, performance evaluation, feedback and capacity building.
Excellent organizational, prioritization, and follow-up skills.
Ability to work across departments with technical, administrative, logistical and territorial teams, respecting different areas of responsibility.
Collaborative leadership, results orientation, and the ability to support and develop teams.
Ability to work under pressure and simultaneously manage multiple projects and priorities.
Excellent interpersonal communication, negotiation skills, and constructive handling of disagreements.
Spanish language skills are essential; good level of spoken and written English.
Proficient in computer and office tools, with a good command of Excel.
Availability to travel regularly to COOPI’s different intervention areas in Venezuela.
Respect for COOPI’s Vision and Mission, its charter of values, and institutional policies.

DESIRABLE

Previous experience in Venezuela or in highly complex Latin American contexts.
Experience in emergency contexts and in launching or rapidly scaling projects.
Previous experience with COOPI.
Experience in projects funded by ECHO, the European Union, AICS and United Nations agencies.
Postgraduate training in project management, humanitarian action, international cooperation or related areas.
Venezuelan nationality or residence permit in the country.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter presenting their application via email to reclutamiento.venezuela@coopi.org. Please indicate “OPERATIONS COORDINATOR VENEZUELA” in the subject line.

Deadline: 27/10/2026.

If suitable candidates are available, the application period may close before the indicated date. COOPI reserves the right to contact only those candidates deemed suitable and shortlisted.