Job Opportunity at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:


Job Title: Operations Manager
Location: Abuja

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on conflict mitigation, adolescent girls' empowerment, economic development and humanitarian assistance.
• With funding from variety of government donors and foundations, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in Nigeria to respond to these needs, bringing benefit to more than 50,000 beneficiaries per year.
• All Mercy Corps interventions in Nigeria are implemented in a conflict and gender sensitive manner.

General Position Summary

• The Operations Manager is a member of the country's senior management team and is responsible for enabling excellence in all operations functions in Nigeria including Procurement, Logistics, Assets, Fleet, Warehousing, and HR.
• S/he ensures effective systems that support strategy for healthy, robust and integrated functions of local team members.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy and Vision:

• Provide program support, coordination, supervision and monitoring designed to meet program objectives.
• Contribute to the country strategic planning process and provide regular updates.

Personal Leadership:

• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Representation:

• Interface with stakeholders responsible for coordinating all supply shipments via the appropriate approval processes.
• Communicate with local partners and sub grantees to verify their systems and that they understand and follow all appropriate procedures and archiving.
• Maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, vendors, suppliers, etc.

Team Management:

• Develop the capacity of the team and assist with continued development of a career path for operations staff.
• Facilitate operations aspects of program planning, and upcoming operations resources needs, especially procurement's.
• Work with all Mercy Corps staff to ensure smooth introduction and adoption of operational systems.
• Assist teams in understanding their roles and responsibilities in terms of interaction with operations.
• Be responsible for full and proper implementation of Mercy Corps systems of management, compliance and control as described in Mercy Corps field manuals contained in the Office in a Box.
• Work with finance compliance to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest and legal ramifications of Mercy Corps activities.

Operations Management - Logistics:

• Ensure timely, accurate processing and documentation of procurement's and use of Mercy Corps' Electronic Procurement System found in the Office in a Box; Chair tender openings as required.
• Establish and maintain pipeline of supplies, overseeing the logistical aspects of the operation; oversee NFI, commodity storage and movements as needed.
• Supervise the fleet management team and ensure systems to track maintenance, fuel usage and vehicle scheduling.
• Liaise with finance to ensure compliance and payment schedules; maintain service contracts.
• Coordinate logistics (non-program) aspects of material aid projects and associated shipments; manage importation and customs clearance elements. Oversee equipment registration, licensing and insurance, etc.
• Maintain inventory records of materials and materials flow; oversee tracking of all assets.

Operations Management - Administration:

• Ensure Admin. systems are implemented as described in the Field Administration Manual.
• Oversee set-up and development of Mercy Corps offices including drafting and reviewing contracts for office and housing space, leasehold improvements, IT.
• Develop and periodically review country or field office specific policies and communicate them to teams.
• Oversee database and file management for administration, procurement, logistics resources documents.
• Oversee facility management, including housing and office leases; ensure that security standards are maintained at all premises.
• Be responsible for any necessary expatriate visa and work permits.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps contracts and business transactions/relationships are transparent and in compliance with Nigeria law and Mercy Corps/donor policies.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/BS Degree in a relevant field.
• 5-7 years' field experience setting up and managing administration, procurement, logistics, and human resource systems with humanitarian NGOs with supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns and appropriate responses with experience in Africa and in insecure environments.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (esp. procurement systems) desirable; M&E experience preferred and knowledge of US, EU and DFID regulations helpful.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills.
• 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 MC and donor regulations.
• S/he 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.
• S/he 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 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.

Application Closing Date
21st March, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org All applications must include the position title in the subject line, be not more than four pages. 

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.