Area Operations Manager at Save the Children Nigeria

Ref No: 190001TE
Location: Lagos
Employee Status: Permanent

Role Purpose

• The Area Operations Manager (AOM) will lead Save the Children’s operations in designated States within North West Nigeria
• The AOM has overall responsibility for providing leadership, which produces effective delivery and development of programmes in his/her area of operations
• The AOM is responsible for the efficient management of all Area Office resources (grants, awards, staff and assets) and leads the representation of Save the Children with state level authorities, INGOs and NGOS, and visitors
• His/her management of programme implementation and operations will ensure that the Area Office is in accordance with Save the Children’s policies and practises its Mission, Vision and Values.

Scope of Role

• Reports to: Deputy Director of Programme Operations
• Dimensions: Save the Children works in over 10 states in Nigeria with and through partners. The headquarters is in Abuja with State offices in Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kaduna, Lagos, Gombe, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Yobe and Borno. Save the Children has been operational in Lagos  since 2013
• Staff directly reporting to this post:  Logistics Coordinator; Finance Coordinator; HR &Admin Coordinator, Project Managers; State Team Leads (Akwa Ibom & Cross Rivers) and Security Focal Points
• Budget holding: Oversight of and responsible for  Area Office Budget of over US $ 2m p.a

Key Areas of Accountability
Quality Program Implementation, Management and Reporting:

• Responsible and accountable for SC’s programmes in the area and for the implementation and management of programmes, grants and awards in accordance with SC’s strategies and policies for quality programming.
• Ensure that the Area Office teams receive appropriate and timely support from technical advisers and programme quality teams for program design and strategy, MEAL, advocacy and planning.
• Contribute to strategy and proposal development within the area under the overall leadership of the Programme Development and Quality team. Responsible for ensuring that proposals are relevant, contextualized and inclusive of all required support and staffing costs at the field level.
• Ensure that the programmes are appropriately monitored reviewed and evaluated on a continuous basis according to organisational quality standards and in coordination with the Programme Development and Quality team.
• Ensure appropriate systems for all aspects of programme cycle management are in place ensuring lessons learned are taken into account.

Operational Management:

• Responsible and accountable for SC’s programmes in the area and ensure the planning, implementation and management of programmes in accordance with SC’s strategies and policies
• Lead the Area Management Team in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of field operations and ensure that programme plans are clearly prioritized and communicated to the operations team effectively;
• Conduct regular Area Management Meetings (preferably weekly) to enhance information sharing among Area Management Team members and effectiveness of operations;
• Work closely with the CO Programme Operations team to ensure adequate logistical support to deliver high quality programmes effectively.
• Lead and support the Area Office supply chain team to ensure sustainable improvement of Key Performance Indicators, particularly Supply chain efficiency and purchasing efficiency for the area office.
• Ensure that systems are in place in field office, for the control, monitoring and reporting of all assets, stocks, equipment, property, and facilities; Regularly carry out on spot physical asset verification in the Area of operation
• Ensure communication and IT systems are functioning and that policies and essential standards are met.
• Responsible for the delivery of high quality, timely reports for donors and internal purposes, as well as the development of relevant case studies, success stories and other documentation.
• Lead field-based kick off meetings of new projects with relevant CO staff to guarantee a joint understanding among team members of donor requirements, budget responsibilities, technical requirements and other considerations.
• Ensure transparency in targeting beneficiaries, delivery of services and participation of beneficiaries and partners in planning and monitoring of programme delivery.
• Ensure all SCI Management Operating Standards are followed, implemented and maintained in the area office
• Ensure all contingency and Emergency Preparedness Plans are continually updated and implemented.

Financial, Budget & Award Management:

• Responsible for effective and efficient management of all programme budgets (donors and SC’s own resources) delegated to the area office. This may be delegated to other budget holders but overall accountability for the budgets for the area remains with the AOM.
• Lead monthly Awards Review meetings at field level and ensure timely reporting of variance analysis and proposed actions to address any issues and/or challenges of over or underspends, to Country Office Leads of Finance, Awards and Programme Operations.
• Oversee the general application and observance of financial procedures and guidelines set out in SC financial manual and donors’ requirements
• Ensure the projects are managed as per Save the Children’s and donors’ requirement including the quality and timely submission of reports
• Prepare and submit for approval program budgets and expenditure forecasts, and annual budgets for the Area Office programme, assessing costs and budget/expenditures from projects and asset inventory.
• Support budget holders as appropriate in the Operational Area, in making decisions regarding budget allocations and alerting the Deputy Director Program Operations and relevant National Program Managers to any issues which may arise.

Human Resources  & Administration Management:

• Lead, manage and motivate the Area Programme team, ensuring that they have clear work objectives and individual/team work plans and receive meaningful feedback on their performance;
• Ensure appropriate gender and ethnic diversity within the Area programme team;
• Ensure Compliance with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child Safeguarding, Child Protection policy, Code of Conduct, and Fraud and Dishonest policy, Gender, Diversity and non-discrimination, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.
• Ensure smooth running of administration and related support services.

Safety and Security Management:

• In close collaboration with the Head of Safety and Security, proactively monitor the political, military and security situation at local level and regularly report on its potential impact on SC’s activities
• In close collaboration with the Head of Safety and Security, develop a clear safety and security management plan for all areas of operations. Ensure that staff understand and can implement this plan – and that it is reviewed and updated regularly.
• Manage and report on all security incidents in accordance with SCI Safety and Security procedures.

Advocacy & Representation:

• Ensure that Save the Children's work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and take a leadership role within Interagency Coordination forums, ensuring the specific needs of children are being addressed.
• Establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with local and state authorities as well as representatives of other organizations (UN, NGOs, INGOs, counterparts, donors, government Authorities etc.) who are working and visiting in the Area of Operations.
• Identify opportunities and material to contribute to communications and media work, acting as a spokesperson when required.

Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• Significant management experience working in Nigeria
• Education to M.Sc/M.A/M.Eng level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience
• Previous experience of managing a team
• Previous experience of project management, including multi sector programmes
• Budget management experience including institutional donors 
• Security management experience in insecure environments
• Field level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN
• Demonstrable experience of M&E and beneficiary accountability
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• A high level of written and spoken English
• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC  mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support

Desirable:

• Multi site management experience
• ECHO and/or DFID/USAID  funded programme management experience.