Operations Manager - Northeast, Nigeria at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

The Operations Manager provides general management and leadership for all program support functions at the field level including procurement, logistics, asset, warehousing, admin, property management and information technology. The Operations Manager proactively and informatively communicates and coordinates the program support functions with Mercy Corps staff in the state office in Maiduguri (Borno State) and other field locations (Damaturu) in Yobe state and Abuja country office (as and when required).

The Position

The Operations Manager is a key person within the country, who ensures the resources are planned and utilized towards effective program support. The Operations Manager plays a key role in the field operations management of the country program under the guidance of the Operations Director.

As a member of the senior management team at the field level, the Operations Manager shares the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Mercy Corps country operation activities under the direct supervision of the Operations Director.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage reliable and cost-effective operations and effective implementation of the strategies of Mercy Corps towards the right direction, including supervision of facilities & office management, information technology, procurement, asset management, fleet management and warehouse
• Establish systems to ensure smooth flow of goods into the country through different channels
• Identify different vendor categories in order to respond to the program needs
• Act as a focal point for all internal and external coordination
• Provide overall operational support to programs and facilitate coordination, supervision and monitoring of support activities designed to assist in fulfilling program objectives.
• Establish and maintain pipeline of supplies, overseeing the logistical aspects of the operation; oversee all commodity storage and movements as needed.
• Oversee facility management, including housing, office leases and warehouses; ensure that security standards are maintained at all premises.
• Work closely with program management to facilitate program planning and upcoming procurement resources needs.
• Work closely with program and finance teams to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with MC and donor regulations.
• Responsible for the management of all project procurement functions compliance and control as described in Mercy Corps FP3.
• Supports the program team on timely provision of operations support at a higher level of standards.
• Ensures compliance requirements of Mercy Corps and rules and regulations specified by the donors and sometimes host governments.
• Provides management information for decision making as required.
• Support developing budgets for operations activities of country programs as an integral part of program proposal development and country level budgeting.
• Represents Mercy Corps as required in coordination with country management. As a management team member, the Operations Manager will have certain representation at the discretion of the Operations Director. The level of representation may vary depend on the country context (i.e., Local Logistics Cluster, NGO Working Groups, etc.)

Responsibilities of Operations Manager:

As a member of management, the Operations Manager is responsible for but not limited to key responsibilities of management oversight, development and implementation of policies and procedures and resource management.

OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT

Oversight, direction and advice on all aspects of Mercy Corps operations management, aiming at the achievement of the following results:

• Successful contribution for implementation of country operations strategies and establishment of management guidelines.
• Successful implementation of operational strategies and direct establishment of management achievements with operations.
• Maintain regular control on operations budget and identify any exceptions or possible implications of under / overspending in a timely manner.
• Promote continuous organizational learning culture with the empowerment of individuals and teams with the identification of learning needs. Create learning opportunities and ensure access to available learning resources.

IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Implementation of appropriate operations policies and procedures that comply with Mercy Corps policies and procedures and with donor rules and regulations focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of operations with Mercy Corps Global Procurement and Logistics policies, procedures, and processes.
• Provide technical and managerial leadership in implementation of Procurement and Logistics in the Northeast program.
• Ensure ongoing full compliance of Mercy Corps finance policies and procedure and others (i.e. Program Management Manual, National Staff Handbook and etc.).
• Provide expert advice on Mercy Corps policies regarding resource management, tools, etc.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Effective and efficient resources management in administration, procurement, logistics and IT on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure effective management of administrative / logistics resources and reporting in a systematic, transparent and efficient manner to country management.
• Responsible for provision of high quality and timely procurement and other program support.
• Exercising management over procurement processes and logistics ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps procurement policies and procedures as well donor rules and regulations.
• Oversee provision of transport and travel support (international and domestic).
• Oversight on maintenance of proper custody of Mercy Corps assets, warehouse inventory and general inventory.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
• Work with all Mercy Corps staff to ensure smooth introduction and adoption of operational systems.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Supervisory Responsibility

Northeast Operations (Procurement, Logistics and Facilities & Office Management) staff

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Operations Director

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 3 years management experience in a corporate or an INGO sector, including experience in operational support.
• Sound knowledge of administrative and logistics procedures is highly desired.
• Proven supervisory ability and/or technical skills combined with leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in a diversified multi-cultural and multi-ethnic working environment.
• Skills in managing, organizing, planning and implementing assigned tasks under pressure of frequent and tight schedules.
• Strong ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills in difficult and complex working environments.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills in handling management and coordination issues at country program level.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

The successful Operations Manager will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. They will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps deep field offices and project sites. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position will be based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria and may require travel to other field sites 40%. Housing will be in established guesthouses. Security in the field locations require additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously. Access to good medical services in the field is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

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

Mercy Corps 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

Mercy Corps 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 laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.