Vacancy: Operations Manager
Organization: Adeso - African Development Solutions
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
Working with: Heads of Departments, Program Managers, and all staff as required
Programme / Duty station: Nairobi with frequent travel within the region
Starting date: Immediate
Starting Salary: International Grade C: Net Salary of $62,400 - $72,240 annually plus other competitive benefits
Organizational Context: Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive.
Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. At present, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.
Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
Position Summary: Under the supervision of the CFO, the Operations Manager (OM) will oversee the procurement and logistics departments in Nairobi.
The role of the OM is to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of these units in support of Adeso’s programs, as well as other program support units, such as finance, HR and administration.
The OM ensures a proactive approach to easing and enhancing program implementation and the day-to-day smooth running of the organization.
The OM engages in the constant evaluation and readjustment of policies and procedures to take into account changes in the operating environment.
The OM leads and guides the operations team (procurement and logistics) and fosters collaboration within the team and the Adeso staff as a whole.
S/he is also responsible for capacity building and training for the operations team managers, as well as for ensuring compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
Specific Roles and Responsibilities
- Provides management oversight, accountability and strategic direction for the procurement and logistics departments.
- Coordination and planning of operational activities; establish operational work-plan in close coordination with all of the Heads of Departments (HOD).
- Lead the periodic update of Adeso’s policies and procedures, including taking the lead in writing those policies governing the operational departments.
- Ensures that Adeso operations are fully compliant with Adeso policies, procedures and donor rules and regulations, and local country laws specific to each country of operation.
- Proactively build institutional and human resource capacity in relation to operations through establishing robust systems, training staff, and generally building up awareness of and adherence to best practices.
- Continually assess systems to streamline processes and enhance the integrity of those systems.
- Provide management oversight of the procurement department to ensure quality, timely and compliant procurements within an overall system of integrity; this includes establishing and maintaining tracking systems, holding staff accountable to the systems, following-up, and proactively identifying and filling gaps.
- Identify and pre-qualify quality vendors for routine, re-occurring purchases.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the local and international markets to ensure top quality procurements at the best possible rates.
- Establish and lead a highly responsive, problem-solving, skilled, flexible and field oriented logistics team to provide support operations throughout Adeso’s areas of operation.
- Maintain strong relationships with key government agencies, private sector parties and other non-governmental organizations to ensure that Adeso is able to maintain a presence in each country of operation without logistical issues related to immigration, registration, taxation, etc.
- Ensure that Adeso’s assets and facilities are properly accounted for a maintained through a well-managed inventory system.
- Proactively identify solutions for enhancing Adeso’s bases of operation taking into account safety and security, improved efficiency and overall quality of life factors.
- Lead the SMT in managing responses to safety and security issues as they present themselves.
- Routinely and frequently engage operations staff based in the field to ensure that they are being supported with the knowledge and tools required to provide top quality support to the programs.
Skills and Qualifications
Essential
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. development, management, business);
- Minimum 5 years management experience (of which at least 3 years in operations/administration) in either commercial or non-profit organizations;
- Demonstrable knowledge in the following areas: USAID and/or EU donor rules and regulations, project management, logistics (including asset management, office management) procurement (including tendering processes, procurement plans);
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Strong command of software applications, such as Word processing, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Experience in writing, rolling out and institutionalizing policies and procedures;
- Personal qualities of integrity and commitment to the mission of Adeso;
- Strong decision making, team building and negotiation skills;
- Excellent management, leadership and people skills:
- Ability to deliver quality work under pressure.
Desirable
- Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject
- Skills in human resource management
- Prior experience with managing donor contracts (e.g. USAID/EC/DFID)
- Fluency in Swahili and/or Somali language
- Previous work experience in Kenya, South Sudan or Somalia
Application Process
This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional.
If you would like to join this dynamic team and be part of building resilience and economic growth in Africa, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 4th August 2014.
Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following:
- An updated CV (maximum 3 pages);
- An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Adeso is an equal opportunity employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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