Operations Director 46 views0 applications

Vacancy Announcement – Operations Director

NB: Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will be discarded for this position.

Position Title: Operations Director

Location: Bujumbura

Organisation: Amazi Water

Reports To: Country Director

Position Type: Full-Time

ABOUT US:
Amazi Water is a Christ-centered INGO, implementing water projects in Burundi to provide sustainable access to clean water in every community. To learn more about our work, visit our website here https://amaziwater.org/.

ABOUT THE ROLE
Amazi Water is seeking a seasoned leader ideally with a track record in delivering major infrastructure projects within the water sector. The Operations Director must have qualifications in engineering, experience in management, and a deep understanding of large and complex construction issues. Strong leadership abilities are essential, as they will need to inspire others to perform at their highest level.

The ideal candidate should be passionate and committed to Christian values which would be in alignment with our organization’s core values and mission.
They should be devoted to promoting and advocating project management best practices, with a history of developing innovative approaches and driving efficient methods.
Additionally, they should possess strong business acumen to ensure both short- and long-term financial performance objectives are achieved.

The Operations Director is responsible for overseeing and managing all facets of the Operations division, which includes the drilling, construction, engineering, technical, and fabrication departments. This leadership role requires a strategic thinker with strong experience in construction, project management, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence, ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and foster innovation within the department. The Operations Director will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership and Management:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of drilling technicians, including engineers, technicians, hydrogeologists, project & regional managers and support staff.
  • Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement within the department.
  • Set clear performance objectives, monitor progress, and provide regular updates and reports on departmental activities and performance.
  • Provide leadership, direction, guidance, constructive challenge, and coaching to Managers and the broader team in relation to project approach, activities, risks, issues, and general management, while fostering an environment where team members can develop.
• Operational Oversight:
  • Plan, coordinate, and oversee all drilling, technical, engineering, construction, survey operations to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies, budgets, policies, and procedures to optimize efficiency and productivity.
  • Ensure all operational activities comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
  • Ensure that all drilling projects undertaken with donor partnerships are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
  • Manage and direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of short and long-term plans, policies, systems, and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards focused on achieving the division’s mission and assigned priorities.
  • Participate in the development of and monitoring of performance against the department’s annual budget; negotiate contracts and agreements for program operations.
• Strategic Alignment and Coordination:
  • As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), liaise, coordinate, align, and connect with the other SLT members in making decisions for operational activities, organizational activities, and to establish strategic goals.
  • Ensure all projects achieve desired outcomes in line with Amazi Water’s strategic priorities, project plans and mission.
  • Oversee quality and effectiveness of the operational activities as per the design and guidelines in full compliance with organizational policies and Burundian laws.
  • Plan, monitor, and manage the day-to-day running of core operational activities, primarily in the field, to ensure smooth progress of required deliverables.
• Regional Management:
  • Oversee the effective operations within each region and the performance of each Regional Manager and their team.
  • Coordinate staff activities from all connected departments and develop constructive feedback mechanisms whereby each department provides real-time updates.
• Project Lifecycle Management:
  • Lead and support the operational lifecycle from identification of locations, drilling of boreholes, community assessment, and the WASH training.
  • Implement and evaluate mechanisms for improved gathering, monitoring, analyzing, and interpreting data and metrics which will improve overall performance.
  • Regularly evaluate the efficiency of current operational procedures according to organizational objectives and apply adjustments and improvements where required.
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Promote effective ways of working to maximize outputs of all the teams and to provide innovative and technical support for effective implementation during key projects.
• Resource Management:
  • Coordinate procurement processes and coordinate material and resources allocation.
  • Review financial information and adjust operational budgets in alignment with cost requirements and expenditure.
  • Provide day-to-day leadership and work with staff to ensure a high performance, creating an environment which supports achieving the department’s and Amazi Water’s mission, strategic plan, objectives, and values.
• Policy and Compliance:
  • Revise and/or formulate policies and promote their implementation.
  • Ensure that all departments function and operate with legality and conformity to established regulations.
• Engineering & Fabrication Review:
  • Reviews engineering & fabrication design plans to ensure conformance with the agreed highest standard; performs file and site visits.
• Training and Development:
  • Identify and support training needs and development programs.
  • Manage relationships with external partners by facilitating and conducting field visits to the relevant projects with delegations/donors/government bodies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree or MBA is preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in construction or operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale projects.
• Good knowledge of drilling techniques, equipment, and safety regulations will be an advantage.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Financial acumen and experience in budget management.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Significant experience in the NGO sector.
• Must be fluent in English both written and spoken. Fluency in French and/or Kirundi would be a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Full-time position based in Bujumbura, Burundi.
• Regular work based at the Bujumbura headquarters with frequent regional and occasional international travel.
• Ability to sit or stand for up to eight hours daily is necessary.

COMPENSATION

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, as well as health/dental/eye insurance, and vacation, circumstance/medical leave, annual pay increase, professional training & development benefits.