Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Africa

Reporting To: Managing Director

Description Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa.  ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview 

The client is looking for a Head of Operations to lead the operational setup, management, and performance optimisation of a national portfolio of distributed renewable energy assets being transferred into a new renewable asset management company. The role will focus on establishing the systems, processes, and teams required to ensure reliable operations, strong technical performance, and compliance with regulatory and safety standards. The Head of Operations will be responsible for building a robust operational foundation that enables the organisation to deliver consistent asset performance and scale effectively over time. 

Role and Responsibilities
Role: Head of Operations
Direct Report: Managing Director  
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:

Operational Setup & Systems Establishment

• Design and implement operational systems, processes, and SOPs for asset management, maintenance planning, and performance monitoring. 
• Establish the organisation's operational readiness plan for the takeover of existing assets. 
• Develop procedures for incident response, downtime management, reporting, and escalation. 
• Ensure operational practices align with national regulatory requirements and safety standards.
  
  

Asset Onboarding & Performance Management

• Oversee the technical onboarding of all inherited assets, ensuring complete documentation, performance baselining, and verification of asset condition. 
• Build and maintain asset registries, maintenance schedules, and operational dashboards. 
• Implement performance metrics to monitor availability, output, and system integrity across the portfolio. 
• Identify operational inefficiencies and lead corrective actions.

Maintenance Strategy & Vendor Management

• Develop a comprehensive O&M strategy, including predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance approaches. 
• Determine the appropriate mix of in-house capabilities versus outsourced service providers. 
• Manage procurement processes and contracts for equipment, parts, and external service providers. 
• Build strong working relationships with engineering firms, OEMs, and field service contractors.

Operational Data, Reporting & Portfolio Interface

• Ensure accurate operational data collection, validation, and reporting across all assets. 
• Provide timely performance data that supports internal planning and organisational decision-making. 
• Collaborate with the investment team where operational insights are required for assessments of asset performance or future planning – while retaining full responsibility for operational execution. 
• Maintain operational transparency and reporting standards expected by internal and external stakeholders. 
  
  

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (HSEQ)

• Establish and enforce HSEQ standards across sites and operational activities. 
• Ensure compliance with national HSEQ regulations and international good practices. 
• Lead HSEQ audits, training programs, incident investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives. 
  
  

Operations Team Formation & Capability Building

• Build and manage an operations team, including site managers, technicians, and monitoring personnel. 
• Define roles, competencies, and performance expectations. 
• Implement training programs to strengthen technical, safety, and operational capabilities. 
• Foster a culture of reliability, accountability, and proactive problem-solving. 

Budgeting & Operational Cost Management

• Develop operational budgets, including maintenance, spare parts, staffing, and service contracts. 
• Monitor and manage O&M expenditures to ensure cost efficiency and adherence to budget. 
• Support the CEO in forecasting long-term operational requirements. 

Requirements Experience Required:

• 10+ years' experience managing distributed infrastructure or energy systems, ideally including mini-grids, solar PV, hybrid systems, or similar technologies. 
  
• Senior operations leadership experience within the power sector, renewable energy, utilities, or infrastructure asset management. 
  
• Demonstrated ability to establish operational systems and teams in early-stage or scaling organisations. 
  
• Proven experience managing vendors, contractors, and field operations across multiple sites. 
  
• Experience working in African or comparable emerging-market contexts. 
  
• Track record ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and environmental regulations. 
  

Technical Requirements:

• Strong understanding of renewable energy technologies, system design, and operational performance drivers. 
• Expertise in O&M planning, asset monitoring, and performance optimisation. 
• Familiarity with CMMS tools, SCADA systems, or other asset management platforms. 
• Ability to interpret technical and operational data to inform decision-making. 
• Understanding of procurement processes and contract management for technical services. 

Other Skills:

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities in field-based operational contexts. 
• Excellent communication and coordination skills for working with internal leadership, vendors, regulators, and stakeholders. 
• Practical problem-solving skills and the ability to manage real-time operational challenges. 
• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to safety and quality. 
• Organised, methodical working style suited to distributed teams and multi-site operations. 

Working Arrangement
Location: In-person, based in Abuja
Travel: Frequent site visits, supplier/contractor engagements, and regulatory interactions.

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: February 2026
Contracting Period:2 years 

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