Operations Manager

About RI: 

Relief International is a leading nonprofit organization working in 18 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 corporate members of the RI Alliance: RI-US, RI-UK, MRCA/RI-France and RI-Europe. Under our alliance agreement, we operate as a single, shared management structure. In addition, RI has country offices registered as affiliates of one of the alliance members in an additional 18 countries.

Position Summary:    

The Operations Manager is an integral member of the country senior management team has the overall responsibility for the management and support of all Operational activities for the Country Office and its programming. The Operations Manager reports directly to the Country Director and is responsible for effectively managing Operations staff, procurement, travel & fleet, assets, warehousing, administration and IT ensuring effective and accountable logistics support to all the RI projects in the country.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Co‐ordination of all program logistics; developing and implementing the country 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 operations staff. Ensure that Relief International minimum standards of operational procedures and country policies are place and adhered throughout the country of operation. Provide briefing, training and supporting all relevant staff as required.

Procurement

Ensure that RI Global procurement policies and procedures kept up‐to‐date. Ensure changes disseminated in a timely manner and that all appropriate staff is 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 preapproved, preferred suppliers and framework agreements. 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. Ensure there is no negative audit observations/findings related to Procurement. If required corrective actions plans are developed & implemented to address audit findings.

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 centralized stocks. Make sure stock management systems are in place, 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 the accuracy of reporting and tracking databases.

Ensure regular rotation of stocks (particularly medical items) ensuring limited losses due to the 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 done for all stocks, which have been transfer from the warehouse to another RI location.

Assets

Ensure a centralized asset register is maintained; ensure that all office and program assets are logged. For all assets maintain a tracking system and ensure all assets issued with unique RI asset number, ID tag and tracked. Ensure assets and property effectively managed, asset list 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 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 achieved throughout the program and ensure servicing and maintenance schedules adhered. 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 Field offices on regular bases and work with field staff to identify operational needs and ensure that issues raised with CD, 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 the RI Operations staff. Provide feedback through regular performance evaluations and ensure staff 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. Oversee Government liaison including facilities in local registration renewals, Visa approvals for international staff and visitors, Import and Export permissions. Ensure office compliance to global IT policy and procedure, standard equipment and licenses.

Other

Working with Security, make sure the practical and effective implementation of the country security guidelines are in place for all Operational 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 Operations department reports and give feedback 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 operational requirements for the development of project proposals and subsequent projects. Liaise with the 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. Liaise with the Regional/ Global Operations team to support Regional / Global Operations initiatives, Audit preparations and reporting.

 Qualifications & Requirements:

 ·         Masters in Computer Sciences / Masters in Supply Chain or relevant field with diploma in Information Technology.

Five years progressive operations management experience with at least 3 years of experience preferably in supply chain management in an emergency environment including procurement, transport and distribution, warehouse and stock management.

Experience in managing Office/ Project startup/ closeouts.  

Experience working with the following donors: USAID, BPRM, UNHCR, DFID, ECHO, and EU, and knowledge of donor guidelines.

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.

• Expertise in all aspects of operational management, including planning, project management and problem‐solving
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent IT skills; strong computer competency with word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Experience in Distributions of NFI’s and food.
• 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 a complex work environment, set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with numerous simultaneous requirements.
• Degree or professional certification in Supply Chain Management, Business Management or related field preferred.
• Understanding and experience with CASH programming desired.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Frequent travel to field offices.

RI Values:

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

1) Inclusiveness

2)  Transparency and Accountability

3)  Agility and Innovation

4)  Collaboration

5)  Sustainability

NOTE: Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis to immediately fill the Position.