Operations Manager

About Rakai Health Sciences Program

Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) is a collaborative biomedical research and service delivery organization established in 1988, tracing its origins to the "Slim disease" investigations in Rakai District led by Dr. David Serwadda and Dr. Nelson Sewankambo with partners from Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

RHSP has evolved into one of Africa's leading health research institutions, dedicated to improving population health through scientific discovery, innovation, healthcare delivery and community partnership. Its mission is to be the lead at improving population health through generating and translating knowledge to inform policy and service delivery and its vision is to improve the health of the population it serves through excellent service delivery informed by research in infectious and non-communicable diseases. Core values: Teamwork, Innovation, People-centeredness, Integrity and Equitable Collaboration.

RHSP's research has fundamentally changed the global response to HIV/AIDS - demonstrating the effectiveness of voluntary medical male circumcision, the role of antiretroviral therapy in preventing transmission, and comprehensive prevention strategies - and now spans HIV, tuberculosis, emerging infectious diseases, reproductive and maternal health, adolescent health, non-communicable diseases, implementation science and population health. Anchored by the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) - one of the world's longest-running population-based cohorts since 1994 - RHSP also delivers comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment, laboratory diagnostics, disease surveillance and health systems strengthening across the greater Masaka region, with nearly 600 peer-reviewed publications to date.

Relevance to this role: The Operations Manager directly enables RHSP's research, healthcare and administrative mission by ensuring efficient, compliant and technology-enabled operational services. The role provides strategic leadership over the administrative backbone that allows scientists, clinicians and program teams to deliver high-impact research and services.

Job Details

RHSP is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organization's operational and administrative functions. The successful candidate will coordinate procurement, stores and warehouse operations, fleet, facilities maintenance, ICT support, asset management, office administration, compliance, and risk management to ensure efficient service delivery and timely achievement of organizational objectives.

The Operations Manager will also oversee operational budgets, internal controls, departmental performance, staff performance management, ERP utilization, audit coordination, risk mitigation, and management reporting.

• Employer: Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP)
• Location: Kalisizo, Kyotera District, Uganda - P.O. Box 179, Kyotera, Old Bukoba Road, Kalisizo
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Work Mode: On-site - broad oversight of procurement, stores/warehouse, fleet, facilities, ICT, assets and office administration
• Reporting & Scope: Leadership of all operational functions supporting RHSP's research, healthcare and administrative activities; responsible for operational budgeting, internal controls and management reporting
• Benefits Offered: Attractive salary package, comprehensive medical insurance, retirement benefits / pension plan with employer contributions, and ongoing training and employee growth opportunities
• Culture: Each employee has a chance to see the impact of his work and make a real contribution to the success of the organization
• Attributes Emphasized: Strategic Leader, Highly Organized, Results Focused, Problem Solver, Tech Savvy

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all operational functions including procurement, stores and warehouse operations, fleet management, facilities maintenance, ICT support, asset management and office administration
• Oversee operational budgets, identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs, and ensure timely achievement of organizational objectives
• Oversee procurements and logistics - ensure efficient procurement processes, stores/warehouse operations and supply chain effectiveness
• Manage facilities, fleet and assets - ensure maintenance, availability, optimal utilization and asset management
• Provide ICT operational support and drive ERP utilization and other operational technologies to strengthen organizational processes
• Strengthen internal controls, coordinate risk and compliance, manage operational risks and ensure implementation of audit recommendations
• Coordinate audit activities and ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements and statutory regulations
• Support departmental performance through target setting, coaching, appraisals and staff performance management
• Prepare management reports on operational performance, budgets and risk for senior management
• Provide strategic leadership that directly influences the efficiency and effectiveness of services enabling RHSP to achieve its objectives

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Relevant Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Management, Operations Management, Procurement & Logistics, or related field (required)
• 5 - 7 years' substantial management experience, including management experience within healthcare delivery systems
• Demonstrated administrative leadership and strong planning, technical and organizational competence
• Strong ICT skills and tech-savvy approach to operations; ability to support ERP systems and operational technologies
• Healthcare management experience is required
• Strong problem-solving, results focus and strategic leadership capabilities
• Nice to have / Added advantage:
  • Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Public Administration (MPA) or related discipline
  • ERP implementation experience and digital operations expertise
  • Audit coordination experience and knowledge of internal controls
  • Risk management and cost management expertise
  • Experience in budgeting, financial management and cost control

Job Summary

• Job Category: Administrative, Management, Healthcare
• Job Type: Full-time
• Duty Station: Kalisizo, Kyotera District, Uganda (RHSP Head Office, Old Bukoba Road, Kalisizo, P.O. Box 179, Kyotera)
• Deadline of this Job: 2026-09-10 at 5:00 PM (EAT)
• Posted: 2 (as provided - 5 minutes ago on source feed; also advertised on RHSP X @_RHSP)
• No of Jobs: 1 position
• Location pin: Kalisizo, Kyotera, Uganda - P.O. Box 179, Kyotera, Old Bukoba Road, Kalisizo
• Application Method: Online via RHSP careers portal - redirect form at https://www.rhsp.org/jobs/operations-manager-1147 (Apply Now at https://www.rhsp.org/jobs/apply/operations-manager-1147)