Chief Operating Officer

Role Overview

This senior leadership role reports directly to the Managing Director and owns the daily execution of all three infrastructure platforms. The position exists to take operational load off the MD so that the MD can concentrate on DFI relationships, concession origination, and group strategy.

This is a hands-on, builder-oriented role rather than a traditional corporate administration role. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with project teams, keep delivery on track, manage government-facing interactions, and drive each platform from development through to operational handover.

Platform Oversight

• Lead day-to-day execution across all three business platforms at the same time.
• Run weekly progress meetings covering all platforms.
• Only escalate to the MD when decisions are strategic, risks are significant, or government relations require attention; everything below that level should be handled independently.
• Make sure each platform remains aligned to milestones, budget targets, and lender covenant obligations.

Financial Close & Lender Management

Manage the operational side of financial close and maintain discipline around lender requirements, project finance structures, and covenant compliance.

Government & Stakeholder Relations

Oversee interactions with government bodies and other key stakeholders, ensuring issues are handled proactively and escalated only when necessary.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage the Group Financial Controller, Technology & Systems Lead, Legal & Compliance Lead, and India Head.
• Hold project leads accountable through structured reporting and a consistent weekly operating rhythm.
• Develop and sustain a high-performing team spread across Dubai, Tanzania, DRC, and India.

EPC & Construction Oversight

• Lead oversight of EPC contractor selection and contract award.
• Ensure design consultants deliver to schedule and within budget.
• Monitor Phase 1A and Phase 1B construction sequencing, HSE compliance, and quality assurance.

Candidate Profile

The role calls for a professional with deep infrastructure execution experience, particularly across ports, logistics, or PPP concession delivery. The ideal background includes taking major infrastructure assets from development all the way into operations, with strong exposure to development finance institutions, lender covenants, and project finance structures. Experience with dry ports, ICDs, port terminals, or multimodal logistics hubs is highly desirable. Prior work in East Africa is essential.

Experience Requirement

A minimum of 15 years’ experience in infrastructure, ports, logistics, or PPP concession delivery is required, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership position.