Chief of Staff

At Lapaire, we believe that everyone has the right to see well. 

To improve the sight of all, we have developed a simple concept: we offer free eye tests and quality corrective glasses at affordable prices. 

Joining the Lapaire teams means joining a pan-African and inspiring company in order to have an impact on the daily lives of millions of people living in Africa. 

But it is also and above all : 

• Serving our clients at best to improve their lives
• Working and acting as an entrepreneur, contributing to the Lapaire project with ideas and initiatives
• Participating in the expansion of a dynamic company by organizing and anticipating work efficiently  
• Learning every day to continue to grow and surpass yourself
• Collaborating with young and multicultural teams while sharing your knowledge

The Lapaire Group was created in 2018 in Kenya and already has over 80 Optical Shops and over 400 employees in Uganda, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin and Togo. 

Lapaire, See Beyond

Chief of Staff 

Job description

Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Position : temporary contract (6 months)

The Chief of Staff is responsible for ensuring optimized coordination and collaboration between departments through operational support, advanced analysis and reporting, and revision of processes. He/She will be working closely with the CEO and COO, and will report directly to them.

The Chief of Staff will be responsible for :

Providing operational support to drive business and expansion :

• Take over specific operational tasks from both the COO and CEO, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across the group.
• Assist in the planning and execution of expansion projects in new countries.
• Manage the coordination between various teams (logistics, legal, operations) to ensure successful market entry.
• Be prepared to travel within the countries of operation and potential new markets to oversee or assist with key projects and initiatives.

Assist Finance department with the development and improvement of processes : 

• Review the current finance process, suggest improvements and oversee implementations.
• Assist with the pre-approval process for financial documents, including Capex and general expenses.
• Help define and improve financial and operational processes to increase efficiency.

Ensure seamless coordination and collaboration with and between departments:

• Work closely with department heads (e.g., Finance, Supply Chain, Operations) to support them in executing their responsibilities, particularly during busy periods or major projects.
• Ensure seamless coordination between different departments to maintain alignment with overall business objectives.
• Ensure streamline communication between the COO, CEO, and other department heads, provide oversight on key decisions through analytical support and recommendations between the COO, CEO, and other department heads.
• Manage and coordinate transversal projects (eg. process automation, operational improvements, strategic initiatives), track the progresses and ensure deliverables are met on time.

Support decision-making and external relationships through in-depth analysis, reporting and representation

• Conduct in-depth analysis of business performance across existing and new markets.
• Synthesize data from the different departments into clear and concise reports, and build comprehensive cross-department reports, for executive team and board presentations.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to the COO and CEO for strategic decision-making.
• Prepare presentations and reports for internal stakeholders (e.g., department heads) Assist in preparing reports and presentations for investor updates, particularly regarding financial performance, expansion plans, and strategic initiatives.
• Attend external meetings on behalf of the COO and CEO to gather information, provide feedback, and ensure follow-up on action items.

Candidate profile

• Masters in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance or related field required with a strong interest in Finance and Business Operations
• 2 to 3  years of experience in Business Consulting, Banking or Operations Management
• Outstanding Excel ability and excellent with new software/ many  new tech tools 
• Fluent in English and French, both written and spoken
• International experience is a plus

Personal skills to succeed in this position

• Entrepreneurial spirit : You have a strong interest in working in a fast-growing company with international expansion ambitions in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Project manager : You have excellent organizational skills and have proven ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Analytical spirit & business thinking : Your recommendations are based on advanced analysis and critical thinking.  
• Versatile : You are able to adapt fast to changing and evolving business environments 
• Interpersonal skills : You have the ability and easiness to build bridges between different departments, ensuring engagement of parties and alignment with top management.
• Strong communicator : You have great communication skills, particularly in French and English .