Mercy Corps
Closing date: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Uganda - Kaabong
(216811-927)
This is a Temporary Positiion
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implements programs in Pader Kitgum, Kaabong and Kotido Districts with funding from USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), Food for Peace (FFP), Conflict Management & Mitigation (CMM), as well as Private Donations. Mercy Corps Uganda has experienced significant growth in the past year that has necessitated the expansion into additional districts and the opening of new field offices to provide the level of support necessary to implement quality programs. Working in a transitional environment, Mercy Corps is assisting IDPs who are voluntarily returning home, and integrating well-targeted short-term humanitarian assistance with a larger program of market-based investments in strategic asset-building by addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of activities (livelihoods, peace building, agriculture, water and sanitation, health and nutrition, and economic development).
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Temporary Operations Manager is a senior level position with supervisory and managerial responsibilities. Reporting to the Country Director, the Operations Manager will be primarily responsible for overseeing and ensuring the set up and smooth operations and functions of the Mercy Corps Field Office in Kaabong. The Operations Manager will provide support, guidance, training, and leadership to all operational staff (Logistics, Administration, and HR) along side a new nationally hired Head of Office. Given a heavy emphasis on food distribution, the Operations Manager will need to work with commodities and logistics staff from other sites to ensure the reception, storage, and efficient and effective movement of commodities to the various distribution points.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Ultimately responsible for the management and support of all operational functions in Kaabong and is responsible for the full and proper implementation of Mercy Corps systems of management, compliance and control as described in Mercy Corps field manuals.
Oversee the set up of the field office including office maintenance and installation of facilities (Power, Water, VSAT, HF, VHF and Radio call signs and codes) and construction/rehabilitation of staff residences and commodity warehouses.
Actively engage in on site recruitment (shortlisting/interviewing/selection) for all operational staff that are planned to be hired for field site.
Provide management, supervision and training of all aspects of administration, HR and logistics for new recruits. Training on logistics, procurement, security, use of assets and Mercy Corps policies. Train guards on front desk/reception management, security awareness, generator operation, maintenance, reception, dispatch procedures, radio call usage and monitor vehicles and staff moving.
Ensure communications are in place and security protocols established; HF, VHF and radio call signs for staff and vehicles and that all communications equipments are in working order and ready to be used (routinely train staff).
Conduct prudent and timely assessments of security environment, initiate and/or enforce necessary security protocols balancing program needs with security constraints.
Establish database and paper file management for finance, administration, logistics and HR documents
Ensure that all food storage and distribution activities are in keeping with USAID FFP Regulation 11 and commodity tracking system is in place and well maintained.
Liaise with UN agencies and INGOs and local authorities to examine the security situation in the region and routinely review security management plan (SMP) specific to the Karamoja region.
Represent Mercy Corps and attend meetings with UN agencies, INGOs and local authorities on the ground.
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Any other duties as assigned.
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: All operational Staff in Kaabong Field Site
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Director of Finance and Administration, Project staff, Kampala office staff, field office staff, international partners and other implementing partners; other Mercy Corps staff, and government and NGO counterparts.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of five years field experience in operational support functions with a humanitarian non-governmental organization (ideally in Africa)
Previous experience setting up a remote field office.
Demonstrated excellence in human resource management, particularly in a multi-cultural environment, including techniques for staff development, training, motivation, and discipline
Demonstrated skills and experience in NGO administration, finance, and logistics systems
Demonstrated excellence in multi-tasking, time management, and flexibility
Excellent writing and communications skills.
Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Proven ability to innovatively solve problems and trouble shoot.
Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies. Understanding of the security concerns in northern Uganda/Karamoja is highly desirable.
Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (particularly Mercy Corps procurement systems) highly desirable.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:
A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.
Excellent analytical and information management skills.
Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in remote locations.
Experience working in relatively insecure environments with the ability to keep calm and make decisions under difficult circumstances.
Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.
Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.
A focus on team building and national staff capacity building
LIVING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Kaabong and is an unaccompanied posting. As the office and guest houses are still be set up you can expect basic accommodations with few of the amenities you would find in a larger town. The town is small but there is a strong INGOs and UN presence with expatriate staff based in the town. Restaurants and diversions are limited. Security needs to be taken very seriously and there have been incidents recently that require movement restrictions. Water and electricity are available through tanker and generator. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
How to apply
APPLY VIA URL:
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