Drive Operational Excellence to Create a World Without Poverty

Action on Poverty (AOP) is looking for an experienced and purpose-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to play a pivotal role in our mission: mobilising and collaborating with changemakers globally to eliminate poverty.

As a key leader within AOP, you will drive financial, operational, and risk management excellence across a dynamic, multi-country organisation. You will work closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to ensure AOP operates efficiently, sustainably, and innovatively, enabling us to deliver impactful and scalable poverty-reduction initiatives.

This is an opportunity to make a real difference, leveraging your expertise to shape strategy, enhance systems, and empower teams across Australia, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands.

Why Join AOP?

• Purpose-Driven Impact: Be part of a respected international development organisation that co-designs innovative poverty solutions with communities and social entrepreneurs worldwide.
• Build the Future of International Development: AOP has experienced incredible growth from its commitment to doing aid differently – this is a unique opportunity to be part of building the new aid paradigm.
• Strategic Leadership Role: Lead and enhance financial, operational, and governance frameworks that underpin our sustainable growth.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside passionate professionals and global partners to create lasting change.
• Commitment to Innovation: Help drive best-practice solutions in financial management, risk mitigation, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial and operational strategy, ensuring best-practice financial management, compliance, and risk oversight.
• Optimise internal systems and processes to support AOP’s mission and international operations.
• Manage finance, legal, IT, HR, and risk functions across Australia, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands.
• Ensure compliance with DFAT ANCP accreditation and major donor requirements.
• Champion innovation and efficiency, driving continuous improvement in operations and governance.
• Represent AOP in key external forums, building relationships with institutional donors, regulatory bodies, and international partners.

Who We’re Looking For

You are a strategic, solutions-focused leader with a strong financial and operational background. You thrive in fast-paced, complex environments and are committed to social impact.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven executive leadership experience in a not-for-profit or international development organisation.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Deep understanding of international development operations, including multi-country program oversight.
• Risk management expertise, with experience implementing risk frameworks from board level to operations.
• Strong compliance knowledge, particularly with DFAT ANCP accreditation and donor requirements.
• Excellent communication skills—able to engage effectively with boards, donors, and international teams.
• Relevant qualifications (CA, CPA, MBA, or equivalent).

Personal Attributes:

• Mission-Driven: Passionate about tackling global poverty.
• Resilient & Solutions-Oriented: Thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strategic Thinker & Doer: Can translate strategy into action.
• Collaborative Leader: Builds high-performing teams across diverse geographies.

Join Us & Make a Difference

At AOP, we believe that all people should thrive in a world free from poverty. If you have the expertise, leadership, and passion to help drive our mission forward, we want to hear from you!

AOP is an equal opportunity employer and a child-safe organisation. All successful candidates will be subject to reference checks, a police check, and a working with children check.