🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ Trócaire – 2 positions

1.) Head of Operations and Compliance

Head of Operations and Compliance

On-site

Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone

Description

About Trócaire

Trócaire is an International NGO. We work with local partners in the world's most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We work towards five goals:

• Promote Access to Justice;
• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;
• Ensure Women & Girls' Protection, Voice & Influence;
• Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and
• Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

In Sierra Leone, Trócaire works to achieve climate and environmental justice; ensure women and girls' protection, voice & influence; and save lives and protect human dignity. Trócaire supports work on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, women's political participation and leadership, sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment, natural resource management and environmental conservation, and humanitarian preparedness and response

Trócaire works exclusively with local partners and actively supports localised development and humanitarian aid. Supporting local civil society organisations to strengthen their organisational, institutional, financial, technical, and managerial capacities is core to Trócaire's partnership approach in Sierra Leone.

The Head of Operations and Compliance (HoO&C) is a strategic member of the Country Management Team and leads the country office operations portfolio. The role is responsible for ensuring that the systems for finance oversight, procurement and logistics, HR administration, compliance, and operational risk management are working as designed, and that corrective actions are identified, tracked, and closed.

The HoO&C provides leadership and supervision to the operations team and sets expectations for control discipline, documentation, timely reporting, and compliance with Trócaire policies, donor requirements, and local law. The role is designed to strengthen segregation of duties and supervisory review, and is not intended to become the default processor of routine finance or procurement transactions except in exceptional circumstances.

What we can offer you:

Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits on local terms and conditions.

The role will report to the Country Director, the job opportunity offered on a fixed term contract for one year. The role is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with very frequent travel to 5 Districts in Sierra or any others where Trocaire or partners have an interest.

Key responsibilities

This role provides overall leadership for country operations and compliance and acts as the second line of oversight and assurance for key control environments. The Head of Operations & Compliance is responsible for setting expectations, ensuring appropriate segregation of duties, and verifying that finance, procurement, and administrative controls are functioning effectively through routine compliance checks, exception reporting, and audit follow-up. Day-to-day processing is led by the Senior Finance Officer (country office finance) and the Senior Programme Accountant (programme and partner finance), with this role providing escalation, quality assurance, and corrective action when issues arise. Similarly, day to day delivery of admin functions are delivererd by the Admin officer while this role provides oversight and support (including capacity building)

As a Member of the Country Management Team:

• As a member of the Country Management Team, actively and constructively contribute to the overall leadership of Trócaire's country programme in Sierra Leone.
• Actively participate in CMT meetings, contributing to decisions on policy and strategic direction and playing a key role in the ongoing implementation and adaptation of Trócaire's Sierra Leone Country Strategic Plan.
• Support the Country Director in the management of risk, including acting as the operational risk lead for the country programme.
• Ensure there is constant and open communication between the country operations team and HQ for smooth operations of the Country Office.
• Work in close partnership with the Head of Programmes and Programmes Team to ensure operations support programme implementation, including timely procurement, partner payments, travel/logistics, and compliant documentation.
• Support programme teams and the Country Director in donor engagement, proposal development (budgeting, cost allocation, compliance requirements), and reporting as required.
• Foster an atmosphere of trust and growth potential for Team members

Compliance Oversight and Internal Controls:

• Accountable for maintaining and monitoring the country office internal control framework, ensuring that controls over financial management, procurement, payroll, and HR processes are designed, documented, and operating effectively.
• Conduct or commission periodic spot checks, transaction reviews, and process walk-throughs to verify control compliance. Maintain a monthly controls checklist and exceptions log, reporting results and follow-up actions to the CMT.
• Ensure adequate segregation of duties across all transaction cycles: initiation, approval, processing, custody, and reconciliation/review must not be concentrated in a single individual. Where team size prevents full separation, design and document compensating controls (e.g. supervisory review, committee processes, independent spot checks).
• Track and drive closure of internal and external audit findings, investigation recommendations, and compliance action items. Maintain an audit-action tracker and report progress to the Country Director and Head of Portfolio on a monthly basis.
• Ensure all Sierra Leone government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, and regulatory compliance are met.
• Act as the primary country-level liaison with HQ Standards and Compliance Unit, Internal and External Audit, and HQ Finance on control and assurance matters.
• In collaboration with the Head of Programmes, ensure partner grant management processes (partner contracting, advances, reporting, verification, and capacity support) meet Trócaire and donor requirements; support follow-up on any compliance gaps identified through monitoring or audits

Financial Oversight and Management:

• Provide management oversight of the Senior Programme Accountant and Senior Finance Officer, ensuring the quality, timeliness, accuracy, and control discipline of all financial operations across both programmatic and organisational finance streams.
• Review and quality-assure month-end, quarterly budget revisions, and year-end financial reporting packages, balance sheet reconciliations, and management accounts before submission to HQ Finance.
• Oversee budget preparation, monitoring, and forecasting processes across all funding streams, ensuring budget holders receive timely and accurate financial information.
• Review and countersign bank reconciliations prepared by the SFO (or delegate), ensuring reconciliations are completed by someone other than the preparer.
• Support the Country Director in ensuring that all payments are approved in accordance with policies, and ensure approvals and budget-holder authorisation are obtained in line with the policies and approved budget ownership arrangements.
• Ensure that advance payment procedures, float management, and cash handling processes comply with Trócaire's Guidelines on Management of Funds.
• Lead the provision of financial technical support to partner organisations, ensuring they are aware of financial standards and requirements, and have adequate technical capacity. Coordinate with the Senior Programme Accountant on partner financial oversight.
• Support programme teams on building the capacities of partners to handle contractual compliance issues, including project audit and verification requirements.

Procurement, Logistics and Asset Management:

• Accountable for ensuring all procurement activities comply with Trócaire's Global Procurement Policy, Sierra Leone Country-specific policies and thresholds, donor regulations, and Sierra Leone law. This includes sourcing, competitive tendering, supplier evaluation, contracting, goods receipt, and payment, with appropriate segregation across these steps.
• Provide accountability over the standing Procurement Committee, ensuring evaluations are conducted by cross-functional membership (not solely by Finance), that processes are documented contemporaneously (purchase orders, goods received notes, bid analysis, scoring matrices, committee minutes), and that conflicts of interest are declared and managed.
• Ensure vendor onboarding and master data changes are not controlled solely by any individual who can also approve or process payments.
• Maintain a centralised procurement filing system (on Box or equivalent), ensuring complete and contemporaneous documentation for every procurement action.
• Ensure annual and project-level procurement plans and trackers are in place, updated, and used to anticipate needs and reduce emergency purchasing.
• Manage logistics operations including fleet management, fuel controls, asset tracking, inventory and stock control, insurance, and office supplies. Ensure a stock count is completed mid-year and at year-end.
• Oversee vehicle management in line with organisational policy, including documented vehicle movement logs, mandatory non-driver sign-off, and regular fleet requirement reviews.
• Support and provide guidance to local implementing partners on procurement capacity building and monitor the Partner Procurement Follow-Up Tracker.

Human Resources and People Operations:

• Line-manage HR Assistant, ensuring HR processes (recruitment, onboarding, contracts, leave management, performance management, disciplinary procedures, separations) are applied consistently, fairly, and in compliance with Trócaire policy and Sierra Leone labour law.
• Ensure recruitment processes, onboarding, personnel file management, performance management, learning and development, and staff wellbeing supports are implemented to an appropriate standard.
• Oversee payroll change control: ensure that payroll preparation, review, and processing are appropriately segregated.
• Support the Country Director in fostering a positive, accountable, and learning-oriented work environment. Champion staff welfare, duty of care, and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Coordinate with HQ People and Culture partner, CD and Head of Portfolio on organisational policies, compensation and benefits reviews, and any matters requiring HQ guidance or approval.

Risk Management:

• Maintain a live operational risk register for the country programme, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, and scored using Trócaire's risk categories and traffic light system.
• Ensure risk mitigations are assigned to named owners with target dates, tracked to completion, and reported to the CMT on a regular basis.
• Escalate risks categorised as Red or Severe, or risks above risk appetite, to the Country Director and Head of Portfolio in accordance with the Risk Management Framework.
• Support the annual country office risk review process in coordination with the Head of Portfolio and Standards and Compliance Unit.

Administration and Office Management:

• Oversee the Administrator and ensure smooth functioning of office administration, including premises and facilities management, security, communications infrastructure, travel and logistics support, visitor support, records management, and IT coordination with HQ.
• Ensure data protection processes are in place and adhered to in the country office.
• Ensure information and document management practices support audit trails and confidentiality.
• Support international staff visa and work permit processes where required.

Team leadership and capacity strengthening:

• Provide coaching and support to direct reports, ensuring clear workplans, performance objectives, and development opportunities.
• Ensure operations staff receive appropriate training on key policies (procurement, delegated authority, fraud prevention, safeguarding, data protection, and risk management).
• Promote continuous improvement, including identifying process bottlenecks and implementing practical fixes that strengthen controls while enabling timely programme delivery.
• In liaision with the partnership and Localisation Manager, provide oversight of capacity support to partners as identified through various partner capacity assessments

Other:

• In close collaboration with the Country Director and other CMT members, represent Trócaire with relevant Government offices and other stakeholders where required.
• Deliver mandatory refresher training for all country office staff on procurement policy, financial controls, fraud awareness, ethical standards, and whistle-blowing, or coordinate delivery with HQ.
• Fulfil other reasonable duties and responsibilities as requested by the Country Director.

Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in financial management, operations, and/or compliance roles in a complex organisation, with at least 4 years at a senior or managerial level: INGO experience highly desirable.
• Prior experience managing multi-donor budgets and extensive knowledge of institutional donor compliance requirements (e.g. Irish Aid, EU, UNDP).
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or strengthening internal control frameworks, including segregation of duties, procurement governance, and financial monitoring.
• Experience managing procurement processes in compliance with organisational policy and donor regulations, including competitive tendering, evaluation committees, and documentation standards.
• Experience of interpreting financial information and preparing and presenting financial reports to non-finance professionals in an accurate and timely manner.
• Experience managing and developing staff, including coaching and performance management.
• Experience in training and capacity building of partner staff on financial and compliance matters.

Qualifications:

• Accounting, commerce, or business administration degree from a recognised university, and a relevant professional qualification (CPA/CA/ACCA or equivalent).
• A Master's degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field is desirable.
•  Proof of qualification required.)

Skills:

• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate qualified professional staff with strong personal value systems.
• Excellent Excel skills including financial modelling. Previous experience in a recognised accounting or ERP package (e.g. Sage, Agresso, SAP or other).
• Demonstrated ability to meet corporate governance and accountability requirements of host governments, the organisation, and donors.
• In-depth knowledge of managing grants and contractual requirements of institutional donors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify control weaknesses and design practical solutions.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentational communication skills.

Qualities:

• Excellent at setting out a workplan and meeting planning deadlines.
• Dynamic, willing to take initiative, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong coordination skills with the ability to effectively coordinate with local partners and among team members.
• A team player but also willing and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Capacity to be flexible and adaptable to changing contexts and priorities.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy and accountability.
• Ability to transfer skills through mentorship and accompaniment.
• A commitment to strengthening and supporting the work of local partners.
• High personal integrity and ethical standards.Commitment to Trócaire's values and safeguarding policies.

Others:

• A strong commitment to the work of justice and an empathy with the ethos and work of the Catholic Church and Trócaire.
• Fluent in English.
• Ability and willingness to travel within country and internationally.
• Commitment to principles of safeguarding of programme participants.
• Commitment to gender equality principles.
• Financial integrity and stewardship of organisational funds.
• Financial integrity and stewardship of project funds

Safeguarding - Preventing Abuse and Exploitation

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people from exploitation and/or abuse by our employees or others working on our behalf or as a result of our programmes or activities. Trócaire has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct, Global Safeguarding Policy) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all employees, consultants and other organisational representatives. As an employee of Trócaire you are required to abide by these policies. More information on Trócaire's safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire.

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here

Benefits

Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits on local terms and conditions.

Closing Date: 25th March 2026

Click here to apply

2.) Programme Technical Lead

Programme Technical Lead - Climate Change Policy & Advocacy

On-site

International Division

Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone

Description

About Trócaire

Trócaire is an International NGO. We work with local partners in the world's most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We work towards five goals:

• Promote Access to Justice;
• Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;
• Ensure Women & Girls' Protection, Voice & Influence;
• Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and
• Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice.

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

In Sierra Leone since 1995, Trócaire works to achieve climate and environmental justice; ensure women and girls' protection, voice & influence; and save lives and protect human dignity. Trócaire supports work on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, women's political participation and leadership, sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment, natural resource management and environmental conservation, and humanitarian preparedness and response.

Trócaire works exclusively with local partners and actively supports localised development and humanitarian aid. Supporting local civil society organisations to strengthen their organisational, institutional, financial, technical, and managerial capacities is core to Trócaire's partnership approach in Sierra Leone.

Trócaire is currently seeking to recruit a Programme Technical Lead - Climate Change Policy & Advocacy to join our dynamic and passionate Programme Team. The role will report to the Head of Programmes.

Role Summary

The Programme Technical Lead - Climate Change Policy & Advocacy will lead the Trócaire's climate change programme, supporting women, youth and communities resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation in Sierra Leone. Currently funded through Irish Aid in 4 Districts (Kambia, Port Loko, Karene and Western Area Rural) with six partners, but with potential to expand. Coordinating closely with other Programme Technical Leads and Head Office advisors to ensure integrated programming. The role will serve as the lead technical expert for climate change policy and advocacy programming and partners as well as being the focal point for humanitarian emergencies and Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction programming. To achieve this the Programme Technical Lead will be responsible for designing with partners and stakeholders, innovative and impactful solutions and strategies in the relevant thematic areas. Key to this role is building on existing strong relationships with key government actors to position Trócaire and partners to be able to effectively influence climate related policies, especially ensuring community voices are heard. The role will represent Trócaire Sierra Leone's programming in this sector with major public and private donors, NGOs, universities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other professional organizations and build / strengthen relationships with these stakeholders. The role will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of civil society partners and providing technical assistance to ensure programme quality, with a focus on supporting women-centred organisations. The role will also support the existing climate change advocacy network, and have oversight of pre-positioned funding for humanitarian responses and response to emergencies. The role will also support the development of well-designed proposals in areas of technical expertise.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, proactive and results-oriented with a proven track record climate adaption, mitigation and policy advocacy, and working with local partners.

Key Responsibilities

Technical and Programme Quality

• Lead and assume accountability for the successful delivery of climate change policy and advocacy programming, including the development and implementation of a localised climate strategy.
• Provide high quality technical support and accompaniment to partners and Climate Change Network on the development of advocacy campaigns and policy influencing.
• In coordination with MEAL, support the country team to proactively drive an evidence-based agenda around advocacy and policy influencing on climate and environmental justice that is inclusive of the voices of women and PWD.
• Provide high quality technical support and accompaniment to partners including, Women-Centred Organisations (WCOs), and CSOs on climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resources management, resource rights, and resilience - in coordination with Technical Lead for Climate Change and Food Security.
• Work closely with the Gender & Women's Empowerment Technical Lead to integrate women's empowerment (WE) into climate change policy and advocacy as well as coordination with WE policy Advocacy work.
• Lead on Humanitarian Response and Disaster Risk Preparedness programming.
• Collaborate with Trócaire Technical Advisors (in country and head office) to align programming approaches with best practices, ensuring consistency and documentation
• Review the Project Budget versus Actual reports including transaction list - update monthly BVA-to avoid under/overspending and ensure accurate budget forecasting and expense planning.

Partnership and Capacity Strengthening

• Lead partnership portfolio management of Trócaire's thematic partners delivering climate change policy and advocacy programming, with a particular focus on WCOs and CSOs.
• Lead on capacity-strengthening initiatives, coaching, and mentoring of partners, on technical areas, including regular field accompaniment visits - Coordinating closely with Technical Lead for Climate Change and Food Security and Gender & WE for cross learnings and integration.
• Coordinate with Localisation Hub and Partnership & Localisation Manager on the development of tailored capacity strengthening tools and support package for WCOs
• Apply appropriate risk-based oversight to partners, including enhanced due diligence and performance support/recovery where required.
• Design and deliver capacity strengthening trainings, manuals, and guidance documents for partners in key technical areas using participatory techniques appropriate to audiences of various literacy and technical expertise levels Monitor ongoing implementation of partner projects through field visits (including joint field visits with finance and MEAL teams) and provide written feedback on compliance with agreed project objectives and Trócaire's standards.
• Contribute proactively to the successful implementation of integrated programming framework as one of Trócaire's key programming strategies

Reporting and Information Management

• Lead in the development of donor, government, and programme reports for projects within your portfolio.
• Manage and monitor programme and partner budgets and ensure timely budget expenditure and value for money ensuring compliance with financial norms and standards.
• Develop Service Level Agreements and lead on reporting and correspondence with the relevant line ministry.
• Collect and review partners' narrative, MEAL and financial reports (jointly with MEAL and finance) and ensure timely submission and quality assurance.
• Coordinate with MEAL Manager to manage programme MEAL and support partners to have effective results-based MEAL systems, including needs assessments and programme baselines and endlines.
• Contribute/lead case studies and lessons learned documents and disseminate to key stakeholders.
• Participate in wider organisational planning and review work, as and where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and updated project files (both on Salesforce (as default) Country Box Office, and hard copy)

Programme Growth and Representation

• Support the development of institutional and foundation funding applications (concept notes and full proposals) for climate change and humanitarian programming in close coordination with Business Development and Grants Manager, partners, and HQ.
• Build Trócaire Sierra Leone's reputation and networks in the environment, climate change space through participation in relevant networks, working groups and conferences.
• Coordinate with the Climate Change & Food Security Technical Lead to explore new opportunities for the growth of climate change adaptation opportunities, including forest enterprise development, clean cooking solutions, circular economy and renewable energy.
• Proactively identify and represent Trócaire Sierra Leone in thematic space and key policy influencing fora's that reflect on climate change, natural resource management, and resilience and actively engage key stakeholders/actors in and outside of Sierra Leone.

Humanitarian - inclusive of Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Risk Reduction

With Climate Change & Food Security Technical Lead support:

• Necessary humanitarian preparedness and response work with appropriate partners including coordination with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community groups, to assess disaster risks, vulnerabilities, and capacities
• Monitor and evaluate disaster risk reduction activities, ensuring compliance with standards and best practices.
• Providing technical guidance and support to field teams and partners on disaster risk management principles and methodologies.
• Represent the organization in relevant coordination mechanisms when addressing an emergency or humanitarian crisis, in working groups, and forum
• When required, design and facilitate capacity-building activities, training workshops, and awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery

Other Duties

• Support visibility and communication activities—developing case studies, updates, and promotional materials to highlight project outcomes.
• Support in hosting visitors, including donors, Ministries and the media, and represent Trócaire at relevant forums and events.
• Contribute to country-level strategic planning, program reviews, and team learning.
• Carry out other responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Programs and Country Director.

Requirements

Qualifications: o Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Agricultural Science, Disaster Management, International Development or other related disciplines.

Experience: o Minimum 5 years' experience in working in climate change programming, with a focus on policy and advocacy within development, humanitarian, or public sector contexts

o Demonstrated experience working with local civil society partners or in partnership-based programming

o Strengths in policy and advocacy on climate and environmental justice

o Experience in women's empowerment and gender inclusion within the climate space.

o Sound knowledge of financial management and donor compliance.

o Experience in disaster risk management, humanitarian response, or related field, preferably in international settings.

o Good knowledge of disaster risk reduction principles, frameworks, and methodology.

o Demonstrated experience in facilitating meetings, workshops, and capacity-strengthening.

Skills: o Excellent writing skills (proposals, reports, strategies).

o Ability to work strategically, coordinating key stakeholders to achieve clearly defined objectives.

o Excellent interpersonal, communication, coordination, and facilitation skills.

o Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building, diplomacy and negation skills and represent Trócaire with professionalism.

o Proven results-based management skills.

o Gender analysis/mainstreaming skills.

o Highly organized with excellent planning, problem-solving, multitasking, and prioritization skills.

o Ability to work both as part of a team and independently

o Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, powerpoint) and familiar with project management tools.

o Fluent in English (written and spoken) and Creole.

Qualities: o Commitment to Trócaire's Vision, Mission and Values and safeguarding policies.

o Strong leadership and teamwork.

o Flexibility and ability to multi-task under pressure.

o Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

o Openness to learning especially about new agroecological food systems, inclusion and social norms approaches.

Others: o Ability and willingness to travel within country and internationally, and stay in rural areas in country.

o Able to work irregular hours on an occasional basis

o Financial integrity and stewardship of project funds

o Experience in carbon financing desirable

Safeguarding - Preventing Abuse and Exploitation

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people from exploitation and/or abuse by our employees or others working on our behalf or as a result of our programmes or activities. Trócaire has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct, Global Safeguarding Policy) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all employees, consultants and other organisational representatives. As an employee of Trócaire you are required to abide by these policies. More information on Trócaire's safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire.

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here.

Benefits

For the candidate with the required technical knowledge, experience, and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits. Local terms and conditions apply.

Closing date: 20th March 2026

Click here to apply