Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ghana

About the role

Plant-for-the-Planet Ghana, a registered non-profit restoring degraded forest landscapes and building community livelihoods through forest restoration and agroforestry, is looking for a Chief Operating Officer. The COO manages the operations of the organisation, including all staff on the ground, and ensures restoration and agroforestry sites deliver well-run, safe and fully documented results. Together with the Executive Director, the COO reports directly to the Board and owns the quality and timeliness of operational and impact reporting from Ghana.

The role is hands-on: at least half of the work time should be spent at the two restoration sites in Tebeso and Bamboi, building relationships with local communities. Regular travel to Kumasi or another nearby location is supported.

Key responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the 15-person team and support the Executive Director in setting the budget and managing spending against donor agreements.
• Manage procurement, petty cash and assets, including vehicles and nursery infrastructure, under clear financial controls.
• Support external relations with local government bodies and traditional authorities, and prepare the organisation for audits and donor reviews.
• Oversee restoration work at the two sites, from site preparation and nurseries to planting, maintenance and monitoring, following Plant-for-the-Planet standards.
• Plan seasonal work around rainfall, labour and seedling supply, and coordinate dry-season fire prevention and response.
• Ensure daily field reports are completed and digitised, and manage health and safety for staff and workers.
• Manage all livelihood projects and set clear roles, goals and performance reviews for each team member.
• Manage contractors and casual workers, prevent child labour, and implement the policy on prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Build respectful relations with landowners, farmers and community groups, ensure fair participation of women and youth, handle grievances fairly, and support fundraising with field data.

Required profile

• Degree in restoration, forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management and/or operations role.
• Hands-on experience in restoration, forestry, agroforestry or agriculture, ideally in Ghana or West Africa.
• Proven record of leading field teams across more than one site, with strong experience of budgets, financial controls and donor-funded projects.
• Track record of accurate, on-time reporting to donors; experience with communities, traditional authorities and government bodies in Ghana.
• Fluent English and working proficiency in Twi; valid driver's licence; willing to travel often to Bamboi and Tebeso, including on rural roads.

Required skills

• Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Desirable: knowledge of forest landscape restoration, the Modified Taungya System (MTS) or cocoa agroforestry, and Ghana's forest policy.
• Desirable: experience with monitoring tools, GIS or digital data collection, and reporting to international donors.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and benefits including rent allowance, internet data allowance and health insurance.
• A vehicle for site travel and reimbursement of travel expenses.
• Full-time permanent position with a 6-month probation period, expected start in February 2027.

To apply, send a CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) by 4 December 2026, describing one restoration or agriculture project you led, the team involved and the outcomes demonstrated. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.