This position is temporary up to 90 days
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With offices in Bangui, Bouar, and Bambari, Mercy Corps works to integrate short-term humanitarian assistance with programs to strengthen community resilience and support market-led economic development, with a cross-cutting accent on governance and gender. Mercy Corps takes a sustainable approach to its programming, seeking to change behaviors and create institutions to foster long-term development in the sectors of protection and gender based violence, governance, civil society capacity building, social cohesion and socioeconomic activities. Funding comes from a range of donors including, the European Commission, OFDA, UNHCR and private foundations. By addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of activities, Mercy Corps in CAR takes an integrated approach to ensure the greatest possible impact.
Mercy Corps plays a key role in coordinating with other NGOs and United Nations bodies, including being a member of the executive committee of the CCO (Coordinating Committee of INGOs), the NGO coordination platform for international NGOs in the CAR.
More specifically Mercy Corps’ programs in Bambari are mostly focused on emergency and humanitarian type of programming. A new program that will function in a mode of “emergency response” to be able to implement in whatever areas are in need in the Bambari geographical zone.
General Position Summary
The Operations Lead for the base of Bambari will work closely with the Head of Base, the Program Managers as well as the Operations Manager in Bangui, the Finance Director and the Security Manager or the Country Director. The Logistics Officer is responsible for operational oversight of the Mercy Corps Country Program, including smooth functioning of all procurement, administrative and logistics functions. The Operations Officer role will in a large part need to be focused on the support to the new Emergency Response Program as that will need a new set up for the team and will require significant operational and logistical planning and oversight. The remaining part of hos role will be to support the operational
Essential Job Responsibilities
Program support operations
- Ensure effectiveness of operations systems for program impact including logistics, fleet.
- Ensure that procurement is completed, documented, and delivered to end-user in a timely manner, ensuring that items procured meet the specifications of the end-user while adhering to donor and Mercy Corps procurement guidelines
- Work closely with the Head of Base, the Program Managers, to ensure that all operational departments are working in close collaboration with programs to facilitate smooth, efficient and effective implementation.
- Recruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient team as necessary; incorporate Performance Management systems and staff development strategies into the team building process.
- Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Field office operations
- Work closely with the Head of Base to ensure that support systems and structures are in place and compliant with relevant internal and external policies and procedures.
- Ensure that field office operations create an enabling environment for smooth program implementation.
- Ensure all aspects of asset management
- Support the management and maintenance of vehicle fleet, office facilities and equipment.
- Ensure timely and accurate processing and documentation of procurements, and ensure accurate paperwork and a supply chain as described in the new Field Procurement Manual. (FP3)
- Ensure procurement records systems are well managed and maintained
- Liaise with finance to ensure compliance and payment schedules
- Maintain inventory records of materials and materials flow in all offices
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to operations.
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership
- Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for supervision and support, and maintain clos
Organizational Learning
- As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Head of Base – Bambari
Works Directly With: Program Managers, Operations Manager, Finance Manager
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in relevant field management, operations, logistics,
- 2-4 years of overseas experience preferably in francophone Africa;
- Extensive experience in logistics, administration and or procurement.
- Experience managing humanitarian relief and post-conflict programs in areas of affected by conflict and insecurity;
- Private sector experience desirable;
- Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues;
- Solid knowledge of security protocols and ability to work appropriately in an insecure environment;
- Solid management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues;
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members;
- Fluent written and oral communication in French and English.
Success Factors
The successful Operations Lead will possess strong experience in managing logistics or coordinating humanitarian relief and/or post-conflict programs. S/He will also possess experience negotiating in difficult market conditions, which may have been obtained from working in the private sector. S/he will have an outstanding ability to multi-task, prioritize, solve problems, and pay simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. In CAR, patience, diplomacy, tenacity, compassion, determination and a sense of humor are all success factors.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The HoO will be based in Bambari and will travel to Bangui. This is an unaccompanied post and eligible for Hardship and R&R (one week every 10 weeks).
The Central African Republic is a nation of 4.6 million people, ranked as one of the poorest nations in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 49 years. Hospitals and access to medicines is very limited. Malaria is prevalent and it is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive.
Bambari is a regional town of the Ouaka Prefecture of about 41,000 inhabitants and is located in the east of the country and is divided north-south by the Ouaka River. The city is relatively calm and safe, the population is hopeful for the future and economic and social activities are resuming. However, criminality, mainly petty theft and robberies, constitutes the main cause of insecurity, and travel in some of the surrounding areas can be dangerous due to armed road bandits.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
PI104922000
More Information
- Job City Bambari
