Director of Operations, Niger

The Opportunity

For the alignment to the Global Strategy Plan International Niger has revised its Country Strategy (2016-2023) including a new organizational structure. The Head of Operations is a new position replacing the former Deputy Country Director-Operations.

The Head of Operations is responsible for leading, managing and developing a team of functional experts, including Finance, Administration & Logistics, Security and IT, to support the delivery of quality and integrated programming in line with the organizational standards, frameworks and procedures.

The Head of Operations reports to the Country Director.

• The Head of Operations is a member of the Country Leadership Team (CLT) and is expected to contribute to Plan International’s understanding and strategic direction in the country.
• The Head of Operations supervises the Country Finance Manager, Administration Manager, IT Manager and Security Advisor.
• The Head of Operations reports regularly to the CD on the management of all risks associated with Finance, Administration, legal, IT and security.
• The Head of Operations provides technical oversight and support to Programme Implementation and Influencing Areas (PIIAs) in the delivery of cost-effective programmes while respecting the procedures and standards of the organization.
• The Head of Operations coordinates the preparation, consolidation, and analysis of collated country and PIIAs budgets for submission to the WACA Hub.
• The Head of Operations manages the operations support budget.
• Upon delegation of the Country Director, the Head of Operations may approve all commitments, contracts, grants, leases, disbursements, and transfers to third parties up to € 500,000.

Do you have what it takes?

Knowledge

• Demonstrable knowledge as a result of education, training or practical experience on the key debates in development, particularly around child rights;
• Practical knowledge of operations support for development;
• Demonstrable knowledge of financial, administrative and business management;
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), e-mail and the internet;
• Fluency in French and strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written;
• Knowledge of Niger, the geopolitical factors affecting child-poverty in the country as well as the political, social and economic opportunities for development are an advantage.

Leadership Skills and Behaviours demonstrated from experience

Striving for high performance:

• Achieves clarity and accountability among whole team of their individual and collective objectives;
• Organises work clearly and effectively within the team;
• Deals with poor performers by either improving their contribution or managing their exit, if appropriate;
• Positive disposition that inspires teams and outsiders.

Strategic thinking and innovation:

• Creates strong strategic direction for own part of organisation in wider Plan International context;
• Understand and applies good principles of project cycle management including monitoring, evaluation and learning;
• Major contributor to direction in the management team of which they are a member;
• Flexible in responding to new demands presented in emergencies.

Decision making and risk management:

• Can address complex problems in a balanced way;
• Good judgment in decision-making, making best use of available information;
• Willing to make difficult or unpopular decisions and stand by them.

Influence and communication:

• Uses the potential of varied cultures to reach solutions;
• Excellent listener who understands and shows sensitivity to the views of others;
• Forms good relationships quickly with wide range of people, including those in positions of power and who have different views/ interests;
• Represents Plan International effectively with senior people in external stakeholder organisations;
• Understands external and internal politics and able to navigate these;
• Communicates with clarity and passion both 1-1 and with large groups;
• Effective negotiator in complex situations;
• Assertive without being aggressive.