Senior Operations Manager 98 views1 applications

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. Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible.  Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

 

Position Title:   Senior Operations Manager

 

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa

 

Open Position:  1

 

Program / Department Summary

The Operations Manager will liaise closely with Mercy Corps’ Global Procurement and Logistics (GPL) team with regard to the full implementation of standard Mercy Corps policies and procedures. A heavy emphasis placed on the training of local staff within the administration and logistics departments.

 

General Position Summary

The Senior Operations Manager is a critical member of the country’s senior management team with supervisory and managerial responsibility. Reporting to the Country Director, the Senior Operations Manager will be primarily responsible for enabling excellence in all operations functions of all offices in Ethiopia including procurement, logistics, assets, fleet, warehousing, administration, IT and safety & security. She/he ensures effective systems that support strategy for healthy, robust and integrated functions of national team members.

S/he will be required to strengthen the operational performance and efficiency of the organization by developing the capacity of staff and establishing the right system. S/he will also ensure that managerial processes, resources and the necessary infrastructure are all in place. The Senior Operations Manager supports leadership through capacity building and the development of systems. This position is requiring traveling to all field offices.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction of program support department by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Work with the Country Director and senior management team to support the growth of the program portfolio, formulate strategies and plans.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are met.
• Communicate with our partners to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving.
• Establish high level of credibility and manage strong working relationship with external stakeholders.

 

OPERATIONAL

 

• Ensure integration of program support systems and processes in all Mercy Corps Ethiopia offices.
• Ensure all offices have capacity (human and technical) to support smooth program operations.
• Ensure internal and donor procedures, policies and guidelines are followed.
• Establish and maintain pipeline of supplies, overseeing the logistical aspects of the operation; oversee NFI, commodity storage and movements as needed.
• Ensure unified and cost effective fleet management, including tracking of maintenance, fuel usage and vehicle scheduling.
• Oversee set-up and development of Mercy Corps offices including drafting and reviewing contracts for office and housing space, leasehold improvements, IT.
• Develop and periodically review country or field office specific policies and communicate them to teams.
• Oversee database and file management for administration, procurement, logistics, IT and Assets documents.
• Oversee facility management, including housing and office leases; ensure that security standards are maintained at all premises.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps contracts and business transactions/relationships are transparent and in compliance with Ethiopia law and Mercy Corps/donor policies.

 

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Lead and develop program support teams in the main office and all field offices.
• 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.
• 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.
• Take ultimate responsibility of performance of program support functions.

 

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
• Draft and review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

 

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Ensure Safety and Security Systems are enforced as described in the Field Security Manual.

 

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.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/ Masters degree in a relevant business field is desired
• A minimum of five years field experience in administrative or operational support functions with a humanitarian non-governmental organization.
• Experience in setting up and managing administration and finance management systems.
• Experience in procurement, logistics,
• Minimum of two years’ experience in humanitarian assistance field emergency/relief settings.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.
• Excellent writing and communications skills.
• Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and computer skills in Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.
• Knowledge of local language desirable.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (particularly Mercy Corps procurement systems) highly desirable.

Success Factors

The successful Senior Operations Manager will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. An impeccable professional standard and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. S/he will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with all personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

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.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit to 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.

How to Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts.  In order to ensure fairness to all applicants personal inquiries are not permitted.

Only candidates that are short listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

 

                 DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 29 August 2019/ 4:00 PM

 

Please send non-returnable applications and credentials to one of the following address:

Mercy Corps Recruiter Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319 Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33  , Jijiga: P.O. Box 225    Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116 Dire Dewa: P.O. Box 974