Head of Operations

Job Summary:

As a member of the Country Program’s (CP) Senior Management Team, you will provide leadership and management of the operational functions – Finance, Human Resources (HR), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Administration, Information and Communication Technology, Security and Audit – in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will promote stewardship of resources, ensure principled compliance, proactively manage risk, and lead operational improvements. You will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

· Contribute to the CP strategic planning and programming by providing input on needed investments in operations capacity – systems, processes and staffing – that meet CRS’ standards, donor requirements, and local regulations and support high-quality programming. Represent CRS, as needed.

· Plan, integrate, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day operations to ensure all support services are delivered with high-quality in an efficient manner. Address issues where operations support needs to be adapted for complex programming. Oversee the piloting of new operations initiatives that require the setting of new standards and systems.

· Collaborate with programming leads to ensure appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and proper stewardship of material sources. Anticipate, identify and address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, risk, and optimal utilization of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material).

• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity for successful support of high-quality programming. Contribute to staffing plans and recruitment process of senior staff.

· With the Country Representative, oversee the preparation of annual budget plans and grant/project budgets to ensure they reflect maximum operational efficiency and budgetary compliance and mitigate risks. Set and provide technical oversight of internal processes for approving expenses, monitoring spending, and making budget adjustments in line with operational and programmatic needs and with donor requirements.

· Ensure the program is adequately staffed to meet CP needs and HR systems, policies and practices support a high-performance culture, staff development and retention. Assure quality personnel administration and a work environment that truly reflects the agency’s guiding principles.

· Oversee compliance with agency and donor requirements and local laws and regulations through periodic systems checks, review and assessment of CP’s operations policies and procedures. Act as lead contact and responder to issues that emerge from internal and external audits and provide recommendations and guidance to implement improvements.

• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Provide capacity strengthening guidance for project teams and partners, which includes cross-departmental learning.
• Act as the Security Focal Person for the country program and fulfill the key tasks of that function for all staff and visitors, offices and projects.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in International Development, Business Administration, Finance or relevant field required.
• Minimum of 10 years work experience in a management position with progressive responsibilities. Experience with an international NGO and experience outside country of origin preferred.

· Additional experience may substitute for some education; additional education may substitute for some experience.

• Understanding of financial systems, including budgeting and budget/expense analysis experience. Knowledge of financial reporting software highly preferred.
• Knowledge of supply chain, procurement, logistics and office administration/management issues.
• Staff management and mentoring experience and abilities that are conducive to fostering a learning environment.

· Experience leading high level engagement and capacity strengthening of Government, NGOs and local Church partners.

· Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including the Global Fund, USAID, UN, European donors, highly preferred.

• Ability to represent the agency at high levels.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.