Operations Director

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 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $110 million in programs, and approximately 1,700 staff based in the various country offices and New York City, Washington D.C and Horn and East Africa Regional Office in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.

Summary of Position

As member of the Senior Management Team, the Operations Director will be based in Juba with frequent travels to the field. The Operations Director shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Program. The Operations Director 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. Deputize for the Country Director at external meetings with Government, donors and other stakeholders on operational issues at all levels in South Sudan, at regional level and when required. The Director of Operations reports to the Country Director.

Purpose

The Operations Director provides leadership and management of all the operations and systems within the Country Program, including logistics, procurement, safety & security management 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 Operations Director 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:

• Responsible for overall operational support (safety & security, supply chain and logistics) for timely and quality programme delivery in line with the objectives of the country strategy.
• 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, participate in conceptualizing and designing cost effective, innovative and high quality programs to serve hard to reach children and vulnerable people.
• 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.
• Support the day to day management of the ICT department ensuring ICT is adequately resourced and contributes to Program planning and implementation using technology where feasible encouraging innovation.
• Responsible for providing leadership on safety and security policy implementation and operational support to enable safest and most effective implementation of programs and activities.
• Under the supervision of the Country Director, analyze security trends, advise, update, and implement Action Against Hunger Security Management Plan, SOPs, contingency plans, etc. Streamline humanitarian access approaches in line with humanitarian principles, humanitarian needs and South Sudan country strategy as well as manage security incidents.
• 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.
• Coordinate and conduct periodic compliance reviews for 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.
• Support in preparation of timely and high quality progress reports, program reports, and donor reports

Requirements

Do you meet the required criteria?

• Master’s degree in Social /Development/Humanitarian studies or any other related field
• 5 years INGO experience preferably, with previous experience as Operations Director
• Previous experience in security, logistics management & program cycle management.
• Robust experience of NGO program cycle management, and with experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure.
• Substantial experience in logistics, including procurement, supply chain, fleet management & inventory, ICT and IS
• 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 donors.
• Solid safety and security management experience in complex and conflict location.
• Good anticipation, planning skills, especially in changing work contexts.
• Experience communicating in different cultural work environments
• Highly organized, detail oriented and able to work under pressure.

Our Core values.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate Action Against Hunger’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, 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.
• Promote and uphold the PSEA policy and procedure.

Benefits

What we offer.

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.