Senior Operations And Administration Coordinator

Conservation International; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental nonprofit organization in Cape Town is seeking a Senior Operations and Administration Coordinator. This role supports financial initiatives for conservation across Africa, providing essential administrative and HR support. Candidates should have a degree in related fields and 2-4 years of relevant experience. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential. The role includes potential travel and flexible working hours.

Qualifications

• 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in operations, administration, or finance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary resource for operational matters.
• Coordinate onboarding and manage HR documentation.
• Oversee financial transactions and maintain project data.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Communication skills in English

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree or three-year tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Finance, or Human Resources

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Summary

Senior Operations and Administration Coordinator – Nature Finance Africa. Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and people.

The role is based in Cape Town, South Africa and supports the new initiative to close the finance gap for conservation and protected areas across Africa. The coordinator provides critical administrative, financial and HR support to ensure efficient delivery and compliance across projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary resource for operational matters on the program and within the Nature Finance department, ensuring services run efficiently and in alignment with CI and CSA policies.
• Educate and support staff in applying operational procedures and resolving queries.
• Coordinate onboarding processes and manage HR documentation.
• Oversee financial transactions, including purchase orders, reimbursements, reclasses, and expense tracking.
• Maintain accurate project data in CI's management systems and generate reports as needed.
• Review time reporting and collaborate with payroll to ensure correct coding and adjustments.
• Organize travel logistics and process related expense reports.
• Maintain organized filing systems and track contracts and donor agreements for compliance.
• Provide logistical support for internal meetings and external events.
• Liaise with IT to resolve departmental tech issues.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Up to 10% travel annually. Flexible working hours will be discussed during the interview process, aligned with the requirement to be available to work across time zones. This is a fixed‑term assignment, expected to last 2 years initially, with potential for extension, based on performance and funding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or three-year tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent.
• 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in operations, administration, or finance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Discretion in handling personnel and financial matters.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Advanced PowerPoint, Word, and Excel skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in both a for-profit/corporate and a nonprofit or donor‑funded environment.
• Experience supporting a complex, multiyear program of work.
• Experience in a consulting environment.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.