Operations Manager 111 views

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Position Summary:

Creative seeks an Operations Manager for an upcoming USAID/OTI-funded project in Ethiopia. The anticipated project will implement activities in support of Ethiopia’s democratic opening and the Government of Ethiopia’s reform agenda.

The Operations Manager plays a key role in supporting the Chief of Party in managing the Contractor’s day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations, including the project’s facilities (such as office space, equipment and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and financial accounting (which may include cash flow management, time sheet recording and daily monitoring of obligations, budgets, and expenditures). The Operations Manager’s responsibilities may include ensuring that program implementation is in accordance with USAID regulations and procedures and the specifications determined in the Scope of Work, which may include: monitoring grantee worthiness; assuring fair and transparent procurement processes; reviewing financial management; and monitoring activity implementation.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead all operations including but not limited to administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting, financial, and property;
• Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with USAID regulations and procedures and the specifications determined in the SOW. This will include monitoring grantee worthiness, ensuring that all procurement processes are perceived as transparent by beneficiary communities, assuring fair and transparent procurement processes, review of financial management, and monitoring grant implementation;
• Ensure that the most reasonable, fair, expeditious, and appropriate procurement choices were made pursuant to the Contractor Procurement Guide;
• Supervise the Contractor’s day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations (including the project’s facilities such as office space, equipment and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and financial accounting;
• Supervise the daily financial operations of the contract, which include cash flow management, time sheet recording, reporting to USAID/OTI on the financial aspects of the project, and daily monitoring of obligations, budgets, and expenditures;
• Supervise the Contractor’s field staff managing operations, administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and financial accounting;
• Ensure continuous liquidity for the project; handle all human resource issues; supervise the day-to-day implementation of all grants made under the program; and investigate and identify new ways of achieving project efficiencies;
• Coordinate with the Contractor’s Home Office on all compliance issues, seeking legal and policy guidance on sanctions and other applicable restrictions; and
• While not directly responsible for overseeing activity development, the Operations Manager will be expected to have a good grasp of the programmatic aspects of the project and be prepared to step in as needed to support the COP and other program staff in activity development aspects of the project while staying apprised of the evolution of the local political, legal, and economic situation and on how to continuously adapt the program.

Required Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree or nine (9) years of relevant work experience without a bachelor’s degree. Relevant experience entails working in complex, high-speed, and/or challenging field operations in developing countries;
• A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience;
• Fluency in the Contractor’s and USAID’s policies and procedures in regard to human resources, financial management, financial reporting, and procurement processes, systems, and grants management;
• Financial management experience, including budgeting, financial management (tracking, reporting and accounting); and procurement;
• Experience with grants management; and
• Complete fluency in written and oral English.

Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with a donor, contractor, or international NGO managing an office or program highly desire;
• Experience with in-kind and/or small grants;
• Experience working in complex political transitions and conflict environments;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing program start-up under limited time constraints;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in overseeing program close-out;
• Experience working in Ethiopia; and
• Experience with remote management in security-challenged environments.

Position contingent upon donor funding.