IDC Operations Manager

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: FTE 0.8 - 4 days per week

Direct Reports: ● Finance Coordinator

● Administration Coordinator
● Grants and Finance Officer
Location: Remote working, based in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, or the United Kingdom.
You must have the right to work in the country for which you apply. IDC is unable to support work visa applications or relocation.
Languages: Fluency and excellent communication skills in oral and written English
Compensation: Per annum depending on skills and experience:
Australia - SCHADS Level 6, pro rata for 0.8 FTE
The Netherlands, Germany, UK - 48,000-56,000 EUR gross annually for 0.8 FTE (based on a full-time equivalent of 60,000-70,000 EUR)

Background

International Detention Coalition (IDC) is a unique global network of over 200 civil society organisations and individuals in more than 75 countries, which coordinates with members and partners on advocacy, research, coalition and capacity building, to eliminate immigration detention and advance rights-based alternatives to detention. IDC is a highly recognised, impact-driven organisation, offering a stimulating workplace committed to local, national, regional and global change.

Role Purpose

The Operations Manager is responsible for making sure the organisation has the financial, legal, human resources (HR) systems, and operational infrastructure needed to function effectively, and sustainably, including risk management and ensuring compliance in the countries where IDC operates.

Role Summary

The Operations Manager provides strategic leadership for the organisation's financial, legal, HR systems, and operational infrastructure, ensuring that the organisation has the systems, capacity and controls required to operate effectively, sustainably and compliantly in multi-currency and multi-country settings.

The role sets the frameworks, standards and priorities through which operational functions are delivered, providing oversight of the Finance Coordinator, Administration Coordinator and Grants and Finance Officer, as well as relevant external providers. The Operations Manager focuses on organisational systems, planning, risk, quality and improvement.

The role is responsible for strengthening the organisation's operational infrastructure as it develops, ensuring that systems are fit for purpose, risks are identified and appropriately managed, legal and regulatory obligations are met, and personnel have the systems and support they need to work effectively.

The Operations Manager reports to the Executive Director (ED) and works closely with the Programmes Manager, Finance and Administration personnel, Regional Managers, and relevant service providers. The Operations Manager forms part of the Senior Management Team.

Role Responsibilities

Finance and Organisational Sustainability

• Provide strategic oversight of financial management, grants financial management, budgeting, forecasting and organisational finances.
• Oversee and support the Finance Coordinator and Grants and Finance Officer, ensuring effective implementation of finance and grants systems.
• Work closely with the ED, Programmes Manager, finance and admin team, and relevant managers on annual budgeting and financial planning.
• Ensure effective monitoring of financial performance, cash flow, expenditure and financial risks, providing advice to the ED and Senior Management Team.
• Oversee the establishment and management of appropriate financial controls, payrolls systems, approval processes and delegations.
• Oversee relationships with accountants, auditors, tax advisers and other financial service providers.
• Lead on the improvements to financial systems as the organisation develops or operates in new places.
• Oversee budgeting systems and allocations ensuring accurate compliance of grants finance and audit requirements.
• Work closely with the Finance Coordinator and oversee the annual audit processes for IDC and other related programme audits.
• Ensure financial systems provide accurate and timely information for informed organisational decision-making.

Human Resources Systems

• Support the Executive Director to implement the organisation's human resources systems, ensuring personnel structures and capabilities are aligned with organisational priorities and needs.
• Develop and implement recruitment and planning strategies and systems, including approaches to attracting, retaining and developing personnel across different regions and jurisdictions.
• Develop appropriate and coherent benchmarks and frameworks for personnel roles that are localised, including remuneration, benefits and capacity, and use these to inform organisational planning, monitoring and recruitment.
• Oversee and manage human resources systems, including employment arrangements in different jurisdictions, benefits, onboarding, performance management and other HR related systems.
• Ensure human resources practices are compliant with applicable local legislation and organisational policies.
• Support the enhancement of a wellbeing culture at IDC with related systems and benefits.
• Oversee and support the Administration Coordinator's implementation of HR processes, ensuring systems are consistent, effective and fit for purpose.

Risk, Compliance and Contracts

• Work closely with the ED to coordinate the organisational risk management framework, including the development, monitoring and mitigation of key organisational risks.
• Manage and provide oversight of the organisation's legal entities and ensure statutory, regulatory and governance obligations are met as needed.
• Establish and maintain appropriate internal controls across financial, operational, HR, data and compliance functions.
• Oversee the organisation's grant finance compliance infrastructure, working closely with the ED, Programmes Manager and Grants and Finance Officer.
• Ensure systems are in place to monitor donor financial and administrative requirements, contractual obligations, reporting deadlines and compliance risks.
• Oversee organisational contracts and agreements, ensuring appropriate systems for review, approval, documentation and record-keeping.
• Coordinate legal, tax and compliance advice where required.
• Ensure appropriate continuity, sustainability and contingency planning is in place.

Policies, Systems and Administration

• Lead the development, review and implementation of organisational policies, procedures and operational frameworks, liaising with the Executive Director.
• Ensure organisational processes, approval pathways and delegated authorities are clear, proportionate and consistently applied.
• Provide strategic oversight of IT, cybersecurity, data protection and digital infrastructure.
• Ensure appropriate systems, security arrangements and technology standards are in place for a global remote organisation.
• Oversee organisational procurement frameworks and controls.
• Provide oversight and support to the Administration Coordinator, ensuring administrative systems are efficient and responsive to organisational needs.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve systems and reduce unnecessary administrative burden.

Organisational Development & Operational Improvement

• Lead the ongoing development of the organisation's operational infrastructure and systems, as its size, funding and geographic reach evolve.
• Regularly and proactively assess organisational systems, platforms, capacity and processes to identify gaps, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop practical frameworks and standards to strengthen organisational effectiveness, accountability and resilience.
• Lead operational improvement and organisational development initiatives and monitor their implementation.
• Identify emerging organisational needs and advise the ED on appropriate systems, structures and resourcing.
• Any other relevant tasks agreed with the Executive Director.

Core Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to a culture of agile learning, collaboration, teamwork and support within IDC’s team.

• Demonstrate passion and alignment with IDC’s mission, vision and core values of innovation, collaboration, respect, inclusion, representation and being solutions-focused.

• Demonstrate an understanding of IDC policies to ensure a positive and safe working environment for all.

• Actively engage with organisational systems, processes and infrastructure to ensure sustainability and appropriate safeguarding of institutional knowledge, assets and core activities over time.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent professional experience in business administration, finance, human resources, organisational management, non-profit management or a related field.
• Significant experience in operations, organisational management, finance and/or administration within a non-profit, social impact or other complex organisation.
• Demonstrated experience managing and supporting personnel responsible for finance, HR, administration or other operational functions.
• Strong understanding of organisational financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, financial controls and financial risk.
• Experience overseeing HR and employment processes, ideally across multiple jurisdictions or employment arrangements.
• Experience managing organisational compliance and/or legal or regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and improve organisational systems, policies and processes.
• Experience working in a geographically distributed or remote organisation or demonstrated ability to manage operational functions across locations.
• Strong judgement, problem-solving and prioritisation skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with responsive day-to-day operational needs.
• A high level of flexibility and adaptability, including the ability to work well and collaboratively with others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and practically regarding complex matters.
• High level of integrity, discretion and attention to detail, with the ability to handle sensitive financial, personnel and organisational matters.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience operating across multiple jurisdictions
• Experience with grant management and donor compliance
• Experience with HR, finance, IT or other organisational systems and technology.
• Experience in a human rights, migration, social justice or other values-driven organisation.

Application Process

To apply for this role, please upload your resume and a cover letter on IDC Careers’ Webpage, by Tuesday 1st December 2026. Please ensure that you clearly address all of the key selection criteria in your application.

If you have enquiries, please write to . Please note that applications will not be accepted if sent by email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selected candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible.

NB: All applications must be submitted in English.

We envision a world where immigration detention no longer exists. And we work with everyone to make that vision a reality. We believe people should be able to live freely while they await the outcome of their immigration case, and we advocate for the human rights and dignity of everyone impacted by immigration detention.

IDC is solutions-focused, meaning that we work with lived experience leaders, governments, decision-makers, civil society, UN agencies and other actors to deliver alternatives that benefit migrants, communities and society at large. We are truly global, uniting a coalition of civil society organisations, community groups and individuals from all over the world. While the movement spans continents, we all have a clear purpose: to reduce and ultimately end immigration detention and to promote alternatives.

IDC values diversity, equality and inclusivity. Applications are welcome from all backgrounds. We especially encourage applications of those from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, disability and religion. In particular, we highly encourage leaders with lived experience of the impacts of detention to apply. If potential candidates require any adaptations to usual recruitment processes, please do not hesitate to note this in your application

Originally posted on Himalayas