How to apply for Interim Director of Administration & Operations, Lakou NFP

About Lakou NFP

Lakou NFP is a Haiti-based nonprofit founded in 2017 that combines vocational construction training with job creation in Les Cayes, operating in partnership with International Guild S.A. to provide apprentices with both classroom instruction and paid on-the-job experience. What makes it unique is its grassroots, locally-led model—the belief that Haitians will change Haiti—and its dual focus on individual skill development and community economic uplift. Working here means directly supporting a sustainable, income-generating program rather than traditional charity.

About the role

As Interim Director of Administration & Operations, you will be the operational backbone of Lakou during a transitional period, handling day-to-day management while the Board defines a permanent Executive Director role. Your core responsibilities include maintaining existing funding streams, ensuring clear communication among the Board, staff, and external partners, and overseeing finance, communications, and personnel functions. This is a high-impact, remote leadership role that requires both strategic oversight and hands-on execution to keep the organization stable and effective.

A typical day

A typical day might involve a morning check-in with the Haiti-based program team, reviewing financial reports and donor correspondence, and coordinating with the Board chair on strategic priorities. You could spend the afternoon drafting a grant renewal, updating personnel policies, or preparing for a partner meeting with International Guild S.A. Because it's remote and interim, you'll need to be proactive in reaching out to stakeholders and documenting processes for your successor.

Who Lakou NFP is looking for

• Proven nonprofit operations experience, ideally in an interim or transitional leadership capacity, with direct oversight of finance, communications, and personnel management.
• Strong financial acumen—able to manage budgets, track restricted/unrestricted funds, and maintain relationships with existing donors and grantors.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to bridge time zones and work effectively with Haitian staff and international partners.
• Self-directed and adaptable, comfortable working remotely while proactively coordinating with a Board that is still defining long-term strategy.
• Experience in international development or vocational training programs is a plus, as is familiarity with Haitian context or Creole language.

Tips for this application

• Explicitly reference Lakou's dual model with International Guild S.A. in your cover letter—show you understand how the nonprofit and the for-profit partner interact.
• Highlight any experience managing operations during leadership transitions or interim periods, as this is a temporary role with a specific mandate.
• Provide concrete examples of maintaining funding streams, such as retaining donors, renewing grants, or diversifying revenue, because this is a listed interim priority.
• Demonstrate familiarity with remote team management across cultures and time zones, especially with staff based in Haiti and the U.S.
• Address how you would facilitate communication between the Board, staff, and external partners—this is a key challenge in an interim role with no permanent ED.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your ability to maintain and grow existing funding streams while the organization is in transition, with specific metrics or examples.', 'Your approach to cross-cultural communication and remote collaboration, particularly with Haitian staff and international stakeholders.', 'Your experience in finance, communications, and personnel management, and how you would prioritize these areas in the first 90 days.', "Your understanding of Lakou's mission and the unique partnership with International Guild S.A., and why you are motivated to support its interim phase."]

Research before applying

• Study Lakou's website and annual reports (if available) to understand their programs, impact metrics, and funding sources.
• Research International Guild S.A. to understand its role as a partner and how the two organizations collaborate operationally and financially.
• Learn about the socioeconomic context of Les Cayes, Haiti, including recent challenges (e.g., natural disasters, political instability) that may affect operations.
• Investigate the nonprofit's Board composition and any public statements about the Executive Director search to anticipate the transition timeline and expectations.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you maintain donor and grant relationships during a leadership transition, and what is your contingency plan if a key funder expresses concern?
• Describe your experience managing a remote team across different cultures and time zones—how do you ensure effective communication and accountability?
• What is your approach to balancing day-to-day operations with the strategic work needed to prepare for a permanent Executive Director?
• How would you handle a situation where the Board and staff have conflicting priorities or communication breakdowns?
• What metrics would you use to track the success of your interim priorities, especially around funding stability and internal communication?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on high-level strategy without demonstrating hands-on operational skills—this interim role requires execution, not just planning.
• Ignoring the Haitian context or treating it as a generic international development job—show cultural sensitivity and specific interest in Haiti.
• Overlooking the interim nature of the role and implying you expect it to become permanent—respect the Board's process and emphasize your commitment to a smooth transition.