Chief Operating Officer (Fractional/Part-time)

About UsEvery year, millions die from preventable diseases because vital services do not reach them. A root cause is broken data: missing or unreliable IDs, fragmented records, and inflated reporting. Without accurate data on who receives services, governments and NGOs cannot deliver care effectively, track impact, or target life-saving resources.Simprints is a nonprofit tech company that partners with ministries and funders to verify identities, digitise workflows, and enable evidence-based decisions so the right services reach the right people at the right time.

We co-design end-to-end digital solutions with the people who use them, from the frontlines to national dashboards. Our biometric products integrate with health records to drive accuracy, accountability, and insights. Studies have shown that Simprints increases impact through real-time, precision data, for example, increasing maternal health visits by 38% in Bangladesh or accurate HIV tracing by 62% in Malawi.

To date, we’ve worked in over 18 countries, helping deliver health, aid, and finance to over 4 million people.Our mission is simple: make sure every vaccine, every dollar, and every public good reaches the people who need them most.

About the Role

Simprints is entering a new phase of organisational scale and operational complexity. We are looking for an operational and detail-oriented Chief Operating Officer (Fractional/Part-time) to help strengthen cross-functional execution, governance, and AI integration across the company.This is not a traditional “head of operations” role responsible for directly managing operational departments. Instead, this role is focused on improving how the organisation operates between functions: driving accountability, improving decision-making clarity, integrating AI into our operations, and helping the leadership team execute more effectively.You will work closely with the CEO and Management Team as an embedded executive operator, helping connect strategy to execution while improving organisational maturity without introducing unnecessary bureaucracy.

This role is designed on a fractional basis (approximately 2-3 days per week), with an initial 3-6 month contract and the potential to continue long-term. Job DetailsJob Title: Chief Operating Officer (Fractional/Part-time)Reporting To: Chief Executive OfficerGrade: M9 (Executive)Location: Remote in GMT +/- 3 hours time zoneTime Commitment: 2 - 3 days per weekCompensation: £100,000 - £120,000 FTE equivalent prorated based on agreed time commitmentContract Structure: Initial 3-6 month contract, with potential to continue long-term

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Leadership & ExecutionDrive cross-functional operational execution across the organisation. This means chairing our weekly management team meetings, working with leadership teams to translate priorities into action, improve accountability, and strengthen organisational clarity and execution. What’s already in placeClear annual company goals and strategyStrong functional leadership across Delivery, Product & Engineering, Partnerships, Finance, and People Operations, with respective department-level strategiesEstablished Management Team cadence and company-wide strategic planning processesCurrent gaps / where we need helpCross-functional clarity and accountability are starting to fray as organisational complexity increases e.g. department-level strategies haven’t been alignedDecision-making authority, financial approvals, ownership structures, and escalation pathways are not consistently clear across the organisationManagement Team meetings require stronger operational chairing, follow-through, and prioritisation disciplineThe CEO remains too involved in day-to-day operational coordination and execution managementResponsibilitiesChair and drive effective Management Team operational cadence and accountabilityImprove operational decision-making clarity, delegated authority structures, and escalation pathwaysIdentify and resolve operational friction points and efficiency opportunitiesEstablish lightweight operational systems and processes that improve clarity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy2. Operational Governance & ComplianceStrengthen organisational operational maturity across governance, compliance, legal operations, operational risk management, and international scaling infrastructure.What’s already in placeExisting legal counsel relationships and operational compliance foundationsData protection and cybersecurity initiatives underwayDedicated internal roles for data protection and ITGrowing operational awareness of governance and compliance

Requirements

Current gaps / where we need helpOperational gaps remain across compliance, operational governance, and legal coordinationCountry registrations and international operational infrastructure require stronger project management and follow-throughResponsibilitiesImprove strategy & operational execution around legal processes, country registrations, and operational risk managementManage data protection operational coordination alongside relevant internal stakeholdersImprove visibility, tracking, and operational management of governance-related initiatives3.

AI Transformation

Help embed practical AI-enabled ways of working across the organisation to improve productivity, scalability, coordination, and operational efficiency.What’s already in placeStrong AI-forward “task force” and executive support for AI adoptionExisting AI training initiatives across teamsStrong technical AI leadership within Product & EngineeringSignificant appetite across teams to adopt AI tools and workflowsCurrent gaps / where we need helpAI adoption is currently inconsistent across operational and functional teamsTeams need practical support embedding AI into day-to-day workflows and operationsOpportunities for operational automation and simplification are not being systematically identified or implementedResponsibilitiesIdentify opportunities for automation, simplification, and operational productivity gainsHelp teams adopt practical AI-enabled operational workflows

What Success Looks Like

First 30 DaysBuild strong working relationships and operational credibility across the Management TeamDevelop clear understanding of current organisational structure, operational pain points, governance gaps, and cross-functional friction pointsIdentify highest-priority operational clarity and governance issues requiring immediate interventionAssess current AI adoption and operational workflow opportunities across teamsFirst 90 DaysTake over chairing of Management Team meetingsEstablish clearer delegated authority and escalation pathways for recurring operational decisionsLaunch operational governance and compliance remediation initiativesImprove alignment and visibility across departmental goals and operational prioritiesLaunch practical AI-enabled operational improvement pilots across selected teamsReduce CEO involvement in routine cross-functional operational coordinationFirst 180 DaysSignificantly improve cross-functional execution clarity, accountability, and operational coordination across the organisationEstablish lightweight but scalable operational systems that improve execution without adding bureaucracyImprove organisational maturity across governance, operational risk, and compliance coordinationEmbed AI-enabled workflows meaningfully into day-to-day operational practices across multiple functionsEnable the CEO to focus more consistently on partnerships, fundraising, and external growthWhat are we looking for?Significant operational leadership experience within scaling startups, nonprofits, technology companies, or tech-for-good organisationsExperience operating as a COO, Chief of Staff, VP Operations, or equivalent senior operational leadership roleStrong track record of driving cross-functional organisational execution and operational clarityExperience improving organisational systems, decision-making processes, and operational governanceComfort chairing executive meetings and holding senior leaders accountableExperience operationalising AI tools and workflows within organisationsOptional PlusExperience within global health, international development, or nonprofit technology organisationsFamiliarity with international compliance, entity setup, and operational governance in LMIC contextsHow We WorkWe confront the grey. We practise transparency and radical candour, listen deeply, share information openly, and speak up when our ethical compass is challenged, so that psychological safety is real and everyone can do their best work.We leave our egos at the door. We bring curiosity, kindness, and a positive attitude, seek first to understand, and remember to laugh together.

We stay humble about our small part in big global problems, and we remain bold about our ambition to drive change.We find a way. We plan with clear strategies, deliverables, deadlines, and metrics, step out of our comfort zones, and make it happen. When a plan is not working, we learn from the data, adapt quickly, and keep moving in service of the mission.We remember why we are here.

Impact for people comes first. We act like owners, hold ourselves to high standards, and work across teams to close data gaps and increase coverage, so the right services reach the right people at the right time.We celebrate the differences. We treat every person with compassion, empathy, and respect, build inclusive spaces where diverse perspectives are welcomed, involve people in important decisions, and share credit generously, because our best ideas can come from anywhere.

Benefits

5 Reasons to Join SimprintsLife is short. We believe work should be inspirational, meaningful and fun. At Simprints, we’re taking on global development’s biggest challenges, powered by an amazing culture and incredible people.

Work with us, and you will grow faster, learn more, and take on great responsibilities with the potential to make lasting change.1. Genuine Impact. Work directly with our partners and users to deliver technology that has the potential to impact millions of lives across the globe.

At Simprints, you’ll be part of a team that is passionate about driving real change.2. An incredible, diverse team. Our work is at the intersection of technology and global development, and we’ve managed to build an amazing team drawn from all over the world.

But don’t take our word for it - we’re an externally recognised as a Great Place to Work, and a 2025 Best Workplace for Women amonst many other accolades. 3. Mutual Flex.

We champion a work culture where autonomy and trust are paramount, steering clear of mere face-time metrics. Whether it's managing life's essentials like healthcare appointments or adapting work hours to match your peak productivity times, we've got you covered. In return, we count on your reciprocal flexibility when mission-critical moments arise, like stepping up for a crucial client discussion on a Friday or tackling unexpected technical glitches beyond regular hours.

4. Ultimate work-life balance. As long as you're driving results and fostering teamwork, we encourage you to strike that perfect balance between your professional and personal life.

Our commitment to this model's success is solidified through semi-annual productivity assessments with our board, ensuring that our high standards of performance are consistently met.5. Professional development. We promote continual learning and put our money where our mouth is with development plans and access to global experts through the GLG network.

We also have a generous professional development budget for each colleague - “Eduprints”. Is there some training you’d like, or maybe you could benefit from professional coaching? Simply provide a business case that shares your aspirations and the resources you need, and we'll do our best to support you.

We care about both your development in Simprints and your holistic long-term career goals. Simprints Alumni have gone on to work for Google, World Bank, Gavi, Save the Children, and other top players.Originally posted on Himalayas