WOS Operations Manager

Position: WoS Operation Manager

Location: Amman with frequent travel to the field

Reports to: WoS Country Director

Direct Reports: Hub Operation/Logistics Mangers

Duration: 12 months (renewable).

Critical interface: with DCD PI and Hub Team Leaders,as well with other SMT members.

About Relief International.

Relief International (RI) is a leading nonprofit organization working in 16 countries to relieve poverty, ensure well-being and advance dignity. We specialize in fragile settings, responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and chronic poverty.

Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach — which we call the RI Way—emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships and a focus on civic skills. In this way, we empower communities to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.

Relief International includes the four members of the RI Alliance in the USA, UK, France, and Belgium. Under our alliance agreement, we operate under a single, shared management structure with one CEO and one Board of Directors.

About our Programs

RI is active in 16 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. Often, RI is the only organization providing assistance to highly vulnerable communities.

• RI employs 7,000+ staff and auxiliary workers
• 97% of staff are in-country nationals
• We only have some 90 ex-pat staff out of 7,000+
• RI spent $125 million in 2019 on our programs.

RI invests in four broad program sectors: Economic Opportunity, Education, Health, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). We design our programs to incorporate The RI Way: local participation, integrated programming, the development of civic skills, and partnerships including with local NGOs, governments, and the private sector.

RI supports solutions that reinforce and improve upon existing in-country systems. Where such systems do not exist or are chronically underperforming, RI’s crisis response lays the foundation for long-term, sustainable change.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Syria Country Director, the Syria Operations Manager (OM) is responsible for overall strategic and technical oversight of the hub based cross border operations staff (located in Turkey and Syria and in Jordan hubs). Syria OM will work in close coordination with the DCD and hub team leads to ensure necessary guidance and oversight is readily available to the operations departments in relevant hubs and that a uniform system is maintained and constantly improved with on-going efforts. Syria OM will work with RI Global Operations and lead on the finalization of remote management / Syria Supply Chain guidelines and standard operating procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Technical Quality/Program Management

Co-ordination of all Syria program logistics; developing and implementing the Syria support hub procedures and policies for the management of the supply chain, travel and fleet, communication systems / IT, and emergency preparedness. Manage and delegate tasks as well as responsibilities to key international and national logistics staff.

Ensure that Relief International minimum standards of logistics procedures and country policies are introduced and adhered to throughout the country of operation, briefing, training and supporting all relevant staff as required.

Procurement

• Ensure that RI Global procurement policies and procedures are kept up-to-date. Ensure changes are disseminated in a timely manner and that all appropriate staff are trained and competent. Ensure local, national and international procurement practices are compliant with donor regulations.
• Participate in mobilization efforts and meeting for all new projects and project extensions. Participate in finalizing of Procurement Plans for all grants.
• Centralize the program supply chain by setting up of effective order management systems including pre-approved, preferred suppliers and framework agreements in each hub or for the Middle East and/or inside Syria.
• Ensure that the supply chain is appropriate and cost effective, based on budget, markets, infrastructure, nature of the RI programs, and need for timely delivery.

Warehouse and Stock Management

• Provide support to the warehouse team and make sure systems and reporting is in place to allow effective storage and distribution of transit and Syria stocks.
• Make sure stock management systems are implemented and all key staff know and adhere to policies. Support in monitoring projects stock levels and advice on appropriate stocking and replenishment to meet project demands.
• Oversee the stock management of pharmaceutical drugs are ensure that minimum standards are enforced in the management; inventory and transportation.
• Ensure warehouse and stocks are secure, well managed and documented. Improve on and ensure accuracy of reporting and tracking databases.
• Ensure regular rotation of stocks (particularly medical items) ensuring limited losses due to expiration
• Assist in the preparation of analysis and reports on inventory tracking, movements, etc. Analysis, reporting and follow up of such findings.
• Oversee routine physical stock counts, document discrepancies and report losses to finance
• Ensure receipt and reconciliation is done for all stocks which have been transferred from the Hub to Syria warehousing locations.

Assets

• Ensure a hub based asset registers are maintained; ensure that all office and program assets are logged. For all assets maintain tracking system and ensure all assets are issued with unique RI asset number, ID tag and are tracked.
• Ensure assets and property are effectively managed, asset list is updated regularly and assets are disposed of according to RI and/or donor regulations. Ensure annual (or bi-annual) asset checks are completed; damage and losses are reported immediately.
• Ensure donor reports for assets are timely completed and submitted to the Finance/Program and other departments as appropriate. Ensure appropriate and timely disposal of assets as necessary according to donor standards and regulations.

Transport, Travel & Fleet

• Ensure management of vehicle fleets is in line with RI standards; ensure that appropriate allocation and safe use of vehicles is achieved throughout the program and ensure servicing and maintenance schedules are adhered to.
• Ensure transport services are cost efficient and reliable. Ensure the efficient coordination timely delivery of supplies to projects.
• Ensure systems are in place to effectively plan, coordinate and monitor staff travel by road or air (national or international).

Staff Management:

• Proactively develop the skills of RI staff to understand and utilize appropriate tools and services to design and implement quality programming.
• Visit Hub offices on regular bases and work with field staff to identify operational needs and ensure that issues are raised with CD/DCD, Department leads and other staff, as needed, to ensure they are included in new budget development.
• Design and implement capacity-building opportunities to strengthen the capacity of RI Operations staff.
• Provide feedback through regular performance evaluations and ensure staff is held accountable in accordance with the RI Human Resource policies.

Administration & Information Technology (IT):

• Facilities management – All properties including office, warehouse(s) and guest house(s)

• Oversee administration functions such as reception, office consumables, storeroom management, etc.

• Ensure office compliance to global IT policy and procedure, standard equipment and licenses.

• Working with Security, make sure the practical and effective implementation of the country security guidelines are in place for all logistics activities.

• Monitor appropriate sections of the budget(s). Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure reports and give feedback to CD and other key staff as agreed.

• Review monthly Logistics’ reports and give feed-back to all operations staff, Department Managers and other key staff as needed.

• Work in close collaboration with other members of the RI team; sharing information on the assessments and proposed interventions, providing overviews of logistics requirements for the development of project proposals and subsequent projects.

• Liaise with government, UN and other agencies as necessary. Represent RI at Log Cluster and other relevant meetings.

• Comply with all relevant RI policies and procedures with respect to child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment. Female candidates are highly encouraged to applied.

Key desirable qualifications:

• Degree or professional certification in Supply Chain Management, Humanitarian Logistics or related field.
• Experience working with at least two of the following donors: USAID, ECHO, BPRM, UN and knowledge of specific donor guidelines.
• At least 5 years international experience managing a large multi-site/hub operations, preferably within an INGO/NGO setup.
• Preferable to have experience working in Syria or cross border and remote management projects.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of practical Supply Chain procedures and maintaining supply pipelines in areas with weak infrastructure.
• Demonstrated excellence in training and capacity-building of specialist and non-specialist staff in Supply Chain Management.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong computer competency with word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Strong leadership qualities and willingness to exercise initiative.
• Ability to identify and communicate potential problems and propose solutions to the level of management and then effect change.
• Must be able to function effectively in complex work environment, set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with numerous simultaneous requirements.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Arabic language skills are highly preferable.
• Willingness to travel to all hub offices and inside Syria (where security allows) to provide technical support.

Key competencies:

• Adaptable and flexible

• Strategic thinking

• Strong writing and analytical skills

• Solution oriented and positive thinking

• Solid organizational and planning skills

• Self-critic, curious and eager to develop further professionally

• Communicate with impact and respect

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Relief International is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Relief International (RI) is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to RI’s Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

RI Values:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and accountability
• Agility and innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability