Mercy Corps Operations Manager Job in Kenya

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. 

Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. 

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individuals to take up the following position: Operations Manager
 

Program / Department Summary: The Operations Manager will liaise closely with Mercy Corps’ Procurement Administration and Logistics Management (PALM) team with regard to the full implementation of standard Mercy Corps policies and procedures. 

A heavy emphasis is placed on the training of staff within the administration and logistics departments. The Operations Manager will manage all administrative and logistics support functions for the Mercy Corps program in Kenya. 

The successful candidate is expected to travel 50% of his/her time to field offices and to program implementation sites.
 

General Position Summary: With the exception of Human Resources functions the Operations Manager will manage all administrative and logistics support functions for the Mercy Corps program in Kenya. 

The successful candidate is expected to travel 50% of his/her time to field offices and to program implementation sites.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Provide operational support, coordination, supervision and monitoring activities designed to meet program objectives;
2. Develop, implement and manage relevant Mercy Corps operations systems for offices in Kenya;
3. Advise and support the development and management of systems in Kenya, for full integration with Mercy Corps systems; This will require close coaching and training of field staff;
4. Work with Mercy Corps staff to ensure smooth introduction and operation of necessary systems, including travel to field offices in order to provide hand-on, practical training to staff;
5. The Operations Manager will be responsible for the management of all administration and logistics functions and is responsible for the full and proper implementation of Mercy Corps systems of management, compliance and control with regard to the following disciplines:

A. Administration
 

Disciplines covered under administration are:

• Facilities Management
• Office Management
• Travel Coordination
• Information Technology

B. Logistics
 

Disciplines covered under logistics are:

• Procurement
• Fleet Management
• Warehousing/commodity management
• Asset Management
• Communications (Equipment)

C. Security Management

• Assist as required, the Country Director and Regional Security Adviser in: maintaining and advising on appropriate security systems and procedures and ensure all staff adheres to these procedures, facilitate Security Management Team (SMT) meetings in Nairobi and ensure information is disseminated to all staff, with the Country Director and the Security Advisor being kept informed. Act as the security focal point for the Kenya office.
• Provide a security briefing to all new staff (advising on current security phase of MC Kenya offices and Nairobi city), brief guards and drivers on any immediate security threats and provide training/translation to advisories, as necessary. Facilitate any incident reporting requirements as required. Maintain a filing system and ensure SFP have access to files and completed forms (this includes work –related injuries);
• Assist Country Director as required, in developing contingency strategies to continue work in times of heightened security. Update each MC Kenya office security plans, security tree and constant companion, contact security assessments for new offices. Will represent Mercy Corps, as advised by supervisor, to local governments and authorities and at routine security meetings/briefings in Kenya.
• Ensure that all necessary measures are taken to provide MC employees with a staff working environment as detailed in existing guidelines, including responsibility of fire regulations and building evacuation procedures.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.
• As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Administration Officer – Nairobi
• Logistics/Procurement Officer – Nairobi
• On call IT support for Nairobi

Accountability: All Mercy Corps field operations manuals, the Kenya National Staff Policy Handbook and the Kenya Security Management Manual

Reports Directly To: Kenya Country Director
 

Works Directly With: The Program and Finance teams. The Operations Manager assumes a strong dotted line of technical support to all Operations staff within Kenya. This is to ensure effective coaching and training of team members on Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
 

Knowledge and Experience:
 

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in a supply chain management discipline, business administration, public administration, commerce or related field; Additional study, course-work or training in the areas relevant to supply chain management, procurement and/or a recognized qualification in procurement and logistics is preferable.
• A minimum of five years field experience in administrative or operational support functions with an international non-governmental organization
• Experience in setting up and managing administration and finance management systems.
• Experience in procurement, logistics, and human resource management
• 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 records of successful training and capacity building of national staff
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (particularly Mercy Corps procurement systems) highly desirable.

Success Factors: Excellent problem solving skills, and ability to act as intermediary between program and operations staff to ensure smooth process flow while maintaining a balance between program implementation and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org on or before Friday 12th December by 4.00pm. 

The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for. 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates.)

NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.