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 present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management.
General Position Summary
The Operations Manager provides general management and leadership for all program support functions at the field level including procurement, logistics, asset, warehousing, admin, property management and information technology. The Operations Manager proactively and informatively communicates and coordinates the program support functions with Mercy Corps staff in state office in Maiduguri (Borno State) and other field locations (Damaturu) in Yobe state and Abuja country office (as and when required).
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy and Vision
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
- Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Operations Management
- Oversee the smooth flow of routine program support functions (e.g., administration and logistics) of the Mercy Corps state office and potentially field offices and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
- Oversee management, supervision and training of all aspects of operations (procurement, administration, IT, logistics) in the state and field offices.
- 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.
- Ensure all aspects of asset management including maintenance of asset register and investigation of missing assets.
- Supervise the management and maintenance of vehicle fleet, office facilities, and equipment, including power supply and internet.
- Oversee database and paper file management for finance and operations; ensure files are complete and in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
- Coordinate with Mercy Corps’ Abuja and HQ offices on travel and logistics support as required.
- Support program start-up through the administration of support teams across various field locations.
- Create and maintain operations systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Team Management
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations following relevant policies and procedures.
- Ensure internal reporting mechanisms exist for any allegations of Code of Ethics violations, including fraud, corruption, bribery or human trafficking.
- Assist the operations team in determining effective and efficient solutions to operational issues that ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ policies and donor regulations, mitigate the risk of fraud or corruption, and also facilitate the achievement of program objectives.
- Assist program, operations and finance teams with implementing standard procedures or, as necessary, developing and documenting enhanced procedures for high-risk program activities, in particular those providing a direct financial benefit to participants (e.g. vouchers, cash distributions), requiring high value procurement, or the distribution of in-kind goods.
Representation
- With the supplier and local government on operational issues as required.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Liaise with the Team Leader and Program head on any security situation development.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
Logistics Officer, Admin officer, Senior procurement officer, IT officer. Technical supervision of field operations staff.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Operations Director, Abuja
Works Directly With: Operations, Finance, Program Managers, technical advisors, and others
Knowledge and Experience
- A Bsc or Master’s Degree in relevant field.
- At least 3-5 years of relevant project management experience.
- Sound understanding procurement, administration, and logistics management systems. Basic understanding of financial systems.
- Experience in security fragile and in conflict areas;
- Commitment to local capacity building and team coordination.
- Experience working with host governments and INGOs; familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN agencies, and other NGOs.
- Good organizational and management skills and the ability to anticipate project needs.
- Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment, and lead a diverse group of national and international staff.
- Must be able to strategically advise staff on program and office activities and security issues.
- Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
- Fluent English; Hausa a plus.
Success Factors
The successful Operations Manager will have proven experience working effectively in emergency contexts. S/he will have strong leadership qualities and will have demonstrated previous experience in building team commitment toward the achievements of program objectives. It will be essential to have experience in setting up systems and procedures in difficult environments, as well as good understanding on what makes systems and procedures work. Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are critical as are an ability to work in remote environments, an awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international humanitarian work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles. S/he must have an ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations with patience, tenacity, and a good sense of humor.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position will be based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria and may require travel to other field sites 40%. Housing will be in established guesthouses. Security in the field locations require additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously. Access to good medical services in the field is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s 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.
- A Bsc or Master’s Degree in relevant field.
- At least 3-5 years of relevant project management experience.
- Sound understanding procurement, administration, and logistics management systems. Basic understanding of financial systems.
- Experience in security fragile and in conflict areas;
- Commitment to local capacity building and team coordination.
- Experience working with host governments and INGOs; familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN agencies, and other NGOs.
- Good organizational and management skills and the ability to anticipate project needs.
- Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment, and lead a diverse group of national and international staff.
- Must be able to strategically advise staff on program and office activities and security issues.
- Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
- Fluent English; Hausa a plus.
PI110182989
More Information
- Job City Maiduguri