Head of Operations

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 9 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Tanzania, Uganda, Haiti, and Zambia. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $70 million in programs, and approximately 1,500 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices.

Summary of Position

As member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Operations will be based in Juba with frequent travels to the field. The Head of Operations Department shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Program. The Head of Operations Department oversees safety & security, supply chain and logistical support to program activities and adherence to logistics, and security policies and procedures. S/he will provide direct operational support in program implementation and delivery. The Head of Operations reports to the Country Director.

Purpose

The Head of Operations Department provides leadership and management of safety & security, logistics and procurement, to ensure quality support to program delivery in line with Action Against Hunger South Sudan Country Strategy, internal policies, good practice and donor guidelines. She/he will manage compliance in Operations department and follow up on implementation of internal and external audit recommendations. The Head of Operations will support the Country Director to ensure all program interventions are implemented and delivered timely and of quality at field level.

Key activities in your role will include:

• Oversee operational support (safety & security, supply chain and logistics) for timely and quality program and service delivery in line with the objectives of the country strategy
• Take lead of safety and security policy implementation and operational support to enable safest and most effective implementation of programs and activities.
• Analyze security trends, advise, update and implement Action Against Hunger Security Management Plan, SOPs, contingency plans under the supervision of the Country Director.
• Streamline humanitarian access approaches in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs and South Sudan country strategy as well as manage security incidents.
• Evaluate, review and update the hibernation and evacuation plans for all Action Against Hunger offices and residences in South Sudan and ensure that the practical preparations are in place and known to all staff involved.
• Prior to the deployment of field teams / emergency teams, ensure that risk assessments are conducted in new operational areas
• In close coordination with the Program Director & Technical Leads and Heads of Finance and HR, participate in program proposal process and ensure that all programs progress in accordance with grant agreements.
• Working with Program Director, contribute to conceptualizing and designing cost effective, innovative and high quality programs
• Manage the Country Office Logistics department ensuring that all logistics activities (fleet, equipment, supply chain, ICT/IS, base setup etc) are coordinated
• Build a high performing Supply Chain & logistics team, capable of gearing up to provide a humanitarian response when necessary ensuring that the Program secures value for money at all times and that Action Against Hunger procedures and processes are followed to the letter with zero audit findings.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of the ICT department ensuring it is adequately resourced and contributes to program planning and implementation using technology and where feasible encourage innovation
• Develop and implement an Internal Control/Audit Framework and produce reports with recommendations on areas that need improvement on logistics and security procedures and policies to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of fraud, abuse, and waste.
• Lead in periodic compliance reviews ensuring work is carried out ethically and in compliance with national and international laws and regulations, professional standards, accepted business practices, and internal policies and procedures.
• Manage and implement projects in Duk-Pagaak and Kassingor and ensure timely and quality program delivery.
• Facilitate the preparation of timely and high quality safety and security, and logistics progress reports, and donor reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social /Development/Humanitarian studies or other related field
• Previous experience in security, logistics management & program cycle management.
• Minimum 5 years’ INGO experience in a management role, preferably as Head of Operations Department, Safety and Security or Head of Logistics/Field Coordinator.
• Robust experience of NGO program cycle management, and with experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure
• Experience working in high security demanding environments
• Candidates must have a strong understanding & experience of Humanitarian Principles
• Highly organized, detail oriented and able to work under pressure.
• Substantial experience in logistics, including procurement, supply chain, fleet management & inventory, ICT and information systems.
• Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks
• Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks
• Good experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and securing and managing grants from major institutional donor.
• Solid safety and security management experience in complex and conflict location
• Experience communicating in different cultural work environments
• Good communicator: verbal and written
• Good anticipation, planning skills, especially in changing work contexts.

Our Core values.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate Action Against Hunger-USA’s five core values

Respect- we work with compassion and dedication, treating everyone the same way we expect them to treat us.

Integrity-: we believe that being honest and fair is integral to every aspect of our work. conducting our work with a spirit of sincerity, truthfulness and transparency is imperative.

Creativity-we encourage new ideas, embrace innovative solutions, and create opportunities for meaningful and exciting ways to do our jobs and provide solutions to address the needs of the populations we serve.

Excellence- we strive to provide services that meet and even exceed the expectations of our stakeholders (populations in need, staff, communities and donors).

Empowerment- we are committed to fostering an environment in which our staff, partners and communities where we work have the space to grow, develop and feel confident about participating.

Gender Equality Commitments

• Ability to foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect for all cultures.

Benefits

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.