Chief of Staff to the COO

Chief of Staff to the COO

Location: Remote (must be willing to take meetings in the morning or evening to overlap with U.S. West Coast time)

About IDinsight

We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide.

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

We have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:

• Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
• Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.

Our diverse, growing team of roughly 280 outstanding colleagues operate in nearly two dozen countries around the world.  Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org.  

About the Chief of Staff to the COO

We’re hiring a Chief of Staff to the COO at the Manager/Senior Manager level. This is not a behind-the-scenes gig. You’ll sit at the center of our business ops engine, hashing through strategy, partnerships, and org systems in fast succession. You’ll switch from deep analysis to external meetings to cross-team follow-ups in a single day. This is a 1+ year high-growth “tour of duty” built for builders. We especially love folks with consulting DNA (McKinsey/BCG/Bain externs or equivalent). You must love ambiguity and deliver results in startup mode. You’ll need to be flexible to cover odd hours to sync with team members across Africa/Asia and with the COO who is in the U.S. West Coast time.

The Chief of Staff to the COO will be responsible for the following workstreams:

Right Hand to the COO

• Serve as a trusted confidant and thought partner to the COO, providing candid feedback and independent analysis on a variety of tough topics 
• Conduct research, and prepare the COO for high-stakes conversations
• Represent the COO in select meetings, driving alignment and follow-up across senior teams
• Frame tough challenges and tee up decisions for the COO, providing the right context and research 

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead high-impact, cross-functional special projects such as shaping organizational strategy, exploring new AI/data opportunities, and advancing key partnerships
• Drive research, synthesize insights, build decks, set milestones, and own execution from start to finish
• Translate ambiguous challenges into clear roadmaps and hold teams accountable to results

Org Building

• Redesign how a global org decides, scales, and collaborates across functions and geographies
• Great at building rapport with other functions and teams and is seen as a thought-partner or sounding board to approach difficult conversations with the COO
• Build lightweight systems and routines that cut friction and help us move faster
• Strengthen culture, decision-making processes, and people experience so the org is set up to grow sustainably

Manage the COO’s workplate

• Own the COO’s task tracker, follow-ups, prep materials, and board and leadership decks
• Coordinate across senior leaders to keep priorities on track and ensure follow-through
• Anticipate what’s next so nothing falls through the cracks and play “project manager” on everything that’s facing the COO 

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Mission obsession: you care deeply about data, evidence, and social impact
• Roll-up-your-sleeves mentality: no task is too big or small for you
• Consulting DNA: McKinsey/BCG/Bain or equivalent strategy/ops experience
• Builder mindset: thrive in startup mode, love solving messy problems, deliver results
• Strategic + scrappy: see the big picture but roll up your sleeves to execute
• Compelling communicator: crisp writer, polished presenter, persuasive with senior leaders
• AI + data fluent: comfortable with AI tools, structured analysis, and working with data
• Resilient + flexible: willing to cover odd hours across global time zones
• Results-oriented: measure success by outcomes, not effort
• Humble: confident enough to lead but grounded enough to listen, learn, and credit the team
• Learning oriented: hungry to learn, grow, and adapt quickly, always looking to raise your game

Why this is a stellar opportunity

• Cutting-edge work: help shape how AI, data, and evidence are deployed across development
• Leadership exposure: partner daily with the COO and engage with senior leaders across the org and sector
• Stepping-stone role: build skills in strategy, org design, and execution that set you up for leadership roles at IDinsight or beyond
• Startup energy + social mission: move fast, push boundaries, learn rapidly, and deliver real impact

Professional development

Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy, and have been noted highlights of teammates’ experiences. IDinsighters receive significant mentorship from IDinsight leadership, support from talented peers, and are given considerable autonomy when ready. They maintain professional development plans and are given "stretch" opportunities designed to strengthen a variety of skills. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture, and formal structure enables maximum professional growth. Additionally, teammates have access to an annual professional development stipend that they are encouraged to utilize to explore their career interests and develop their skills.

• Direct mentorship from senior leaders
• Real ownership and autonomy from day one
• Formal professional development plans, feedback loops, and an annual stipend
• Stretch opportunities designed to accelerate growth

Nuts & bolts

Location

Remote, with ability to overlap with U.S. West Coast mornings and Africa/Asia afternoons/evenings. Preference will be given to people located near one of our offices.

Start date

ASAP, with a minimum 1-year commitment

Work authorization

Open globally; candidates must have local authorization. IDinsight cannot sponsor visas for this role

Compensation

Competitive within global development. This role will be hired as a consultant. 

How to apply

Applications are rolling. Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience as well as details on academic qualifications and one-page cover letter answering this question: “Who are you?” CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note, headshot photographs, parental details, birth dates, marital status and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight in your cover letter specifically, and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.

More information, including details on IDinsight’s hiring process
and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers. Any questions should be directed to careers@IDinsight.org. 

IDinsight’s commitment to reducing power asymmetries

IDinsight is committed to reducing power asymmetries in the social sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion reflects our understanding of the need for the sector to abandon unhealthy practices of the past. We wish to be part of a new generation of international NGOs who are honest about this history and transparent about our role in the present. Our commitment is also aligned with the impact of our work. 

We seek a workforce that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives that will help us refine and improve our methods and relationships, and strengthen the services we provide our clients and their communities or constituencies. The following commitments represent our vision for the IDinsight team:

1. IDinsight will have greater representation from the populations with whom we work and clients we serve.
2. IDinsight will have greater representation from the countries in which we work.
3. Across all countries in which we recruit, we will seek greater representation from historically excluded communities.
4. IDinsight will foster an inclusive work culture that empowers a diverse team to do their best work.

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people’s age, disability, gender, gender identity, genetics, national origin, race, color, religion or belief, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.