Director of Operations

POSITION: Director of Operations

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: LTTA, 260 days/year

LEVEL OF EFFORT: 21 days, inclusive of travel

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: On/about January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024

BASE OF OPERATIONS: Kathmandu, Nepal, with travel to priority geographies in the Karnali and Gandaki basins.

USAID Biodiversity Activity will reduce multiple threats to ecosystem and wildlife species to conserve nature, enhance human well-being, and safeguard the future. The Activity will achieve measurable conservation targets within the biodiversity-rich, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems of the Gandaki and Karnali river basins, while increasing resilience to climate change and contributing to the inclusive and sustainable development of the Nepali people. To accomplish this, the Activity will implement activities aligned with three mutually interrelated and reinforcing objectives: improve the health of ecosystems (Objective 1), strengthen environmental crime control and natural resource safeguards (Objective 2), and enhance the climate resilience of natural and human ecosystems (Objective 3).

1. Objectives of the assignment

The Director of Operations will carry out the financial and operational management of the USAID Biodiversity, ensuring strict compliance with USAID rules and regulations, Nepali law, and DAI’s policies and procedures.

2. Tasks & Responsibilities

In order to achieve the results identified in the SOW, the Director of Operations will supervise and lead the USAID Biodiversity Finance and Operations team and oversee all aspects of the project’s financial management and budgeting, procurement, grants/subcontracts, human resources, office administration and logistics, including start-up activities:

• Oversee project operations, including administration, logistics, procurement, grants, budgeting, finance, and property management.
• With Chief of Party, ensure compliance with the USAID Biodiversity contract, USG, USAID and DAI regulations, and Nepali law.
• Manage project and operation budget and financial analyses, in collaboration with the COP and the Home Office Project Manager.
• Supervise the daily financial operations of the contract, which include cash flow management, time sheet recording, and complete daily monitoring of obligations, budgets and pipelines, and expenditures.
• Oversee the project procurement processes and assure the most reasonable, expeditious, and appropriate procurement choices were made pursuant to DAI’s Field Operations Manual.
• Contribute to the development of, and compliance with, USAID Biodiversity’s Grants Under Contract Manual. Manage the Biodiversity grants program, including oversight of grantee operations, finance and administration. Coordinate closely with technical and finance team to track technical and financial performance.
• Supervise all of Biodiversity’s human resources (HR) efforts including the identifying, vetting, compliance, and hiring of personnel. Ensure HR processes comply with local labor law, tax law, DAI policy and USAID regulations.
• Conduct regular capacity training to USAID Biodiversity staff on Finance, Procurement, and Ethics.
• Ensure Field Operations Manual is up-to-date and project team is regularly using it to guide administration of activities.
• Support the drafting and upkeep of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan; act as the Security Focal Point for the project
• Facilitate close coordination between Biodiversity action fund, technical, and operations teams to ensure expeditious and compliant activity planning.
• Support preparation of USAID contract deliverables such as quarterly reports, quarterly financial reports, accruals, and workplans.
• Support operational start-up of USAID Biodiversity, including the timely opening of all regional offices.
• Directly supervise the Senior Action Fund Manager, IT & Database Manager, Procurement Manager, Finance and Administration Manager and Communications Manager.

3. Qualifications

• At least 8 years of experience managing the operations, finance and administration of a donor funded programs
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• Fluent in USAID policies and procedures in regard to procurement processes and financial compliance
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to manage a diverse range of professional relationships
• Experience developing and/or maintain budget tracking records.
• Demonstrated experience administering and managing complex grant funding, including experience with procedures to monitor, evaluate, and report on grant implementation and expenditures
• University degree in a relevant field; master’s preferred.
• Experience in Nepal and/or South Asia is a plus.
• Experience with DAI systems and management tools a plus.