Head of Support Services

The Head of Support Services is a critical member of the country’s senior management team with supervisory and managerial responsibility.
You will primarily be responsible for enabling excellence in all support functions of all offices in Somalia which include but not limited to administration, procurement, supply chain, logistics, assets, fleet, office compounds and warehousing, information technology, safety and security.
You will also be required to strengthen the operational performance and efficiency of the organization by developing the capacity of staff and establishing the procedures of compliance with NCA systems. Also, ensure that managerial processes, resources and the necessary infrastructure are all in place. Furthermore, provides support and leadership both for NCA and its partners through capacity building and the development of systems. Last, but not least, mobilizes and negotiate with local authorities and or federal administrative units to enhance the effectiveness of NCA’s support systems.

Roles and responsibilities

• Lead the rolling out of transition plan as a part of on-going change management process which would enable to set up Somalia country program as an independent country office.
• Regularly review the progress against transition plan with Senior Management Team (SMT); and make necessary adjustments to achieve the targets that are outlined in transition plan.
• Come up with innovative ideas to overcome any barrier that may crop up in the process of executing the transition plan.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Work with the Country Director and SMT to support the growth of the program portfolio, formulate strategies and plans for capacity development. Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
• Supervise the Area Coordinators (2), in the strategic guidance for the management of warehousing, procurement, fleet and assets.
• Ensure efficiency and compliance in local and international procurement. This includes ensuring regular reviews and updates of partner procurement and logistics
• Ensure proper stewardship of NCA resources, and the optimal utilization and maintenance of program assets and resources including ensuring proper inventory controls; effective fleet management/planning; and appropriate asset management and disposition planning.
• Ensure high quality reporting that allows for proper tracking of inventory and assets. Ensure that in-kind transactions are reflected appropriately in financial statements according to NCA policy.
• Ensure integrity (accuracy, security) of Supply Chain Management and Vehicle Management information systems.
• Oversee compliance with local laws. Ensure that legal commitments are made in accordance with local law and NCA operational Manual, as applicable.
• Manage responsibilities that go with an international presence, including country agreements and visa and registration requirements.
• Identify and work with local counsel, through a service contract agreement to support negotiations with government bodies.
• Act as lead contact for and lead responder to any issues that emerge from internal and external of NCA.
• Supervise the Administration Management; as well as communicating priorities to SMT and guide him/her to ensure alignment of efforts.
• Develop and maintain requisite skill sets necessary to implement support functions for the country office.
• Actively participate in staff and partners’ capacity mapping and budget adequately for capacity building on key gaps.
• Regularly facilitate in-house trainings on key processes to ensure a good understanding of NCA procedures Mentor and coach the next level of managers through role shifting, delegation and active role management.
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will demonstrate strategic leadership on Country Office decisions
• Ensure timely decision making on issues to facilitate program support

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required (management-related or general operations preferred);
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant professional experience in East Africa, preferably with a direct experience of managing support systems in fragile and insecure locations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage field staff and remote field offices
• Demonstrated ability to support office/programme start up, including the development and set up of systems, in line with appropriate standards
• Experience in logistics, Admin, and security management
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills
• Excellent staff capacity building and training skills
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills
• Strong computer skills
• Flexibility, ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Willingness to travel in the field and work in remote locations with minimum amenities and / or with relative safety as approved by