Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: South Africa, preferably Johannesburg
Reporting to: Executive Director
Contract: Full-time

About OLICO Maths Education

OLICO Maths Education is a leading South African non-profit organisation working to improve mathematics outcomes for learners and teachers in under-resourced communities. Our work spans across primary and high school and includes in-person and digital programmes with strong, evidence-based impact.

In recent years, OLICO’s work is increasingly extended beyond direct delivery into systems-level engagement by partnering with government, research institutions, and NGO-partners to share evidence, strengthen practice, and support the adoption of effective, structured approaches to maths teaching and learning.

We are now entering an important new phase. Alongside deepening programme quality, we are working to strengthen our people, systems and organisational capability so that we can engage in systems-level work well – with clarity, discipline, and credibility.

The Role

OLICO is seeking a highly capable Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our people, programmes, and operational systems. This is a new and exciting role within OLICO and designed to take the organisation to the next level. The COO will work closely with the senior leadership to translate strategy into execution, while building the internal capacity required for OLICO to operate confidently at greater scale and engage effectively in systems-level work.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who combines strong operational discipline with a deep commitment to people development, programme quality, and social impact.

Key Responsibilities

  1. People & Organisational Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to OLICO’s staff and extended workforce (including programme staff, tutors, youth participants, and contractors).
• Strengthen organisational structure, role clarity, performance management, and decision-making processes.
• Lead and support senior and middle managers to grow as people leaders, coaches, and systems thinkers.
• Oversee HR systems including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning & development, safeguarding, and staff wellbeing.
• Support succession planning and leadership pipeline development as OLICO grows.

  2. Programme Operations & Quality

• Oversee the effective delivery of OLICO’s core programmes, ensuring operational excellence, consistency, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Strengthen systems for programme planning, coordination, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with programme leads to ensure strong integration between pedagogy, delivery, technology, and monitoring & evaluation.
• Ensure programmes are well-positioned to scale responsibly, with quality and evidence at the centre.

  3. Systems & Infrastructure

• Build and refine organisational systems that support scale, including operational planning, internal controls, reporting, and compliance.
• Strengthen digital, data, and workflow systems that enable staff to work effectively and reduce operational friction.
• Oversee organisational policies and procedures, ensuring they are practical, understood, and lived.

  4. Enabling Systems-Level Impact

• Support OLICO’s increasing engagement in systems-level initiatives with government, funders, researchers, and sector partners.
• Ensure internal capacity, governance, and ways of working are fit-for-purpose for complex partnerships and multi-year initiatives.
• Translate external opportunities and commitments into clear internal plans, roles, and delivery mechanisms.
• Help balance innovation and experimentation with operational discipline and organisational sustainability.

  5. Leadership & Governance Support

• Act as a thought partner to the executive team on strategy, risk, and organisational development.
• Support board reporting, governance processes, and organisational accountability.
• Contribute to financial sustainability by ensuring efficient use of resources and strong operational support for fundraising and partnerships.

Person Specification

  Essential Experience & Skills

• 5-10 years of senior leadership experience in operations, programmes, or organisational management.
• Strong track record of building and managing teams, systems, and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into operational reality.
• Experience working across multiple programmes or portfolios in complex environments.
• High levels of emotional intelligence, integrity, and people-centred leadership.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation, and problem-solving skills.

  Desirable Experience

• Experience in education, EdTech, or large-scale social impact programmes.
• Exposure to systems-work involving government, donors, or multi-stakeholder partners.
• Experience supporting organisational growth and change.
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, and evidence-informed practice.

Personal Attributes

• Deep alignment with OLICO’s mission to unlock opportunity.
• Calm, thoughtful, and resilient under pressure.
• Comfortable operating in both strategic and hands-on modes.
• Strong communicator who can bring clarity and coherence across the organisation.
• Curious, reflective, and committed to learning.

Why Join OLICO?

• Be part of shaping the future of maths education in South Africa.
• Play a pivotal role in strengthening an organisation with proven impact & ambitious plans.
• Work with a committed, values-driven team & engaged partners in the education ecosystem.
• Contribute meaningfully to systems-level change while staying grounded in real classrooms.

Remuneration & How to Apply

OLICO offers a market-related salary benchmarked against comparable leadership roles in the South African education and non-profit sector.

To apply, please submit a CV and brief cover letter (max 2-3 pages) to vacancies@olico.org.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Interviews start in January 2026.