Operations Manager Job Vacancy – Handicap International Federation (Uganda)
Organisation: Handicap International Federation (Uganda)
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Responsible to: Regional Program Director Team Management: 4-Project Managers
Gross Salary range: UGX 9,387,934 – UGX 9,686,186
About US:
Handicap International Federation (operating under the name Humanity & Inclusion) is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside disabled and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
In Uganda, we work to identify and support those with specific needs, and ensure the meaningful inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers. We assist vulnerable populations from both host and refugee communities by providing physical rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support, inclusive education, health and livelihoods. We work in partnership with Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs), communities, local leaders, non-governmental organisations, the United Nations and the Ugandan government.
Our actions aim to be inclusive of all people in need, targeting the most vulnerable including people with disabilities, and advocating for their rights.
We currently work in the 13 districts of Arua, Madi Okollo, Terego, Yumbe, Obongi, Kyegegwa, Kikuube, Isingiro, Mbale, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, Oyam and Gulu.
HI is legally registered in Uganda. HI’s Head Office is in Kampala, and the West Nile operations are based in the office in Arua Town, with different field offices in operational areas.
Since August 202o, HI has set up a Regional Structure, known as the East African Region, incorporating Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, with the Regional Office based in Kampala.
HI Uganda’s portfolio includes a range of projects focused on supporting persons with disabilities and vulnerable populations including physical rehabilitation, Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support, Inclusive Livelihoods, Inclusive Health, Inclusive Education, COVID-19 Response, as well as a unique and award winning 3D print of orthosis project in West Nile.
The role of the Operations Manager is an exciting and challenging one as HI Uganda seeks to invest more directly in the quality of its programming. The Operations Manager will work closely with the Regional Programme Director, Regional MEAL Manager and all Project Managers, Technical Unit and Shared Services and will be directly responsible for the overall design, planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all HI projects, according to HI’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Policy.
The Operations Manager will be directly managing a portfolio of projects (4 in total currently), particularly those based in the Southwest and out of Kampala. He/she is expected to work closely with the Operations Manager West Nile, project managers on financial management of their project, ensuring strong budgeting and forecasting according to plans. The Operations Manager will be required to work with the Technical Unit to set appropriate technical standards for all HI projects in Uganda throughout the life cycle of the projects.
The Operations Manager takes direct responsibility in the set-up, recruitment and roll out of new projects in HI’s portfolio.
The Operations Manager will take a leading role in the implementation of HI’s new Regional 3-Year Strategy 2021-2023 (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda) and be responsible for ensuring programmatic alignment to the agreed strategic framework.
The Operations Manager will also support the development of new project proposals in link with HI’s Technical,
Job Summary: Under the responsibility of the Regional Program Director, the Operations Manager contributes within the country where he/she is based to the implementation of the mandate and the 10-year strategy of Humanity & Inclusion. He/she ensures optimal quality and impact of the projects implemented in the country, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. He/she shares with all HI managers the responsibility of a sound management and successful functioning of the global organization, through paradigm changes.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
The Operations Manager is responsible for developing and implementing, in the country where he/she is based, the projects part of the Programme operational strategy.
- Under the guidance of the [Regional Technical Unit Manager and the Regional MEAL and Support Service Managers, he/she deploys all adequate tools that will allow project monitoring in the Programme, financial controlling and compliance with HI policies and frameworks (in particular HI Project Monitoring & Evaluation policy), and the respect of contractual obligations towards donors.
- He/she contributes to monitor and analyse context developments in his/her geographical area, in order to identify operational risks and opportunities, and proposes actions to the Regional Director.
- He /she contributes to organizational transformation in line with Lean, Shared Services and ROOTS projects.
The position is based in Kampala, with frequent travels to the project sites across the country.
The Job responsibilities include:
Management
Be the manager (direct report) of the Project managers’ team in the area of assignment
- Foster a team spirit and team functioning guaranteeing synergies and exchange of good practices between the Project managers, the regional managers and with head office colleagues.
- Size and plan human resources needs of the projects in the Programme.
- Recruit and contribute to the professional development, autonomy and well-being at work of the project managers : in link with the corresponding professional channels, set formalized individual objectives, ensure coherence between HI’s needs and competencies and motivation of his/her teams, develop and monitor competence development plan, evaluate individual performance, contribute to career evolution.
- Contribute to the professional development and autonomy of project managers: set formalized individual objectives, ensure coherence between HI’s needs and competencies and motivation of project managers, evaluate individual performance, contribute to capacity building & career evolution.
- Acknowledge individual and collective efforts and performance.
- Embody and transmit HI values, ensure compliance with code of conduct and institutional policies, ensure the expected mind set and individual and collective behaviours, and disciplinary measures when necessary.
- Animate the daily working interactions between project managers and support teams (technical and shared services, functional link), in order to facilitate project implementation in the country; conduct project reviews with project managers and the Regional Technical Unit Manager, MEAL unit and support services.
- Participate to the Programme Steering Committee conducted by the Regional Programme Director
Steer organization transformation, in particular through managerial and work practice change and continuous improvement of working processes
Contribution to the Programme’s Operational strategy and HI frameworks & regulations
Contribute to the development of the Programme’s Operational Strategy, and to its implementation and annual monitoring
- Contribute to the assessments of ongoing projects, contribution to context and sectorial analysis, contribution to fundraising strategy, to resource sizing, to M&E tool…
- Contribute, with his/her portfolio of projects and donors’ data, to the annual monitoring of the StratOp and to next year’s Programme planning (namely support missions and evaluations).
- In case of crisis/emergency, implement the framework and set-up as determined
Implement the project part of the Programme’s Operational Strategy:
- Size and plan necessary resources, recruit the project managers (ensure the fit between competencies and the projects’ challenges and ambitions), develop and monitor their competence development plan, in link with the corresponding professional channels and with Human Resources department.
- When relevant, develop regular contacts with current and potential donors at field level and liaise with line Manager to check coherence with overall Programming and fundraising strategy.
- Within the operational framework defined in the StratOp, identify and transform funding opportunities in the area of assignment, conduct the design and writing of new projects and contribute to the design, writing and fundraising of major multi-country projects
- In link with the Technical Unit, identify and develop local partnerships and/or consortia with NGOs, institutions, companies; on technical priorities or important topics in the area.
Ensure the deployment of and compliance with HI global frameworks, institutional policies and standards.
- These include: the mandatory reference frameworks (such as HI Mission & Values or HI Theory of Change: Access to services), all HI’s institutional policies (Security / Code of Conduct and Safeguarding / Bribery prevention / PME and Project Quality Framework / Age-Gender-Disability), all institutional directives and processes; delegation thresholds; security levels…
Ensure sound management and monitoring of projects under his/her responsibility:
- In link with the Technical Unit and the MEAL Unit, ensure that HI technical quality standards are applied in the projects, and monitor the implementation of recommendations from support missions, evaluations and donor audits.
- Ensure compliance with project donors’ rules and regulations, including visibility.
- With the support of the MEAL Unit, deploy all adequate tools that will allow financial control and project monitoring, compliance with HI policies and frameworks, and the respect of contractual obligations towards donors: consolidation, control and reporting to the line Manager of operational and organizational elements (dashboards and corrective measures, unrestricted funds consumption, beneficiaries data.).
- Facilitate internal audits (operational, financial and organizational), and ensure the implementation of their recommendations on his/her responsibility area
With both operational opportunities and risks in mind, contribute to the monitoring and analysis made by the line Manager, and propose mitigation measures when relevant
- In link with the line Manager, implement analysis and monitoring of risks & opportunities related to HI presence and activities; implement risk mitigation actions at his/her level
Support the Regional Program Director in monitoring the security of the program and ensure internal resources for employees according to the context
- Develop a network of contacts with security/context staff of fellow INGOs, represent HI in access, security and safety meetings
- Provide feedback and advice on security risks, as well as on security management resources, such as SOPs, and proposals
- In collaboration with the Regional Program Director and Senior Management Team, update the security and contingency plans according to the evolution of the context
- Support the Regional Program Director on exploratory mission assessments, identification of office/guesthouses, and the opening of new areas
- Assist the Regional Program Director in sensitizing HI staff (national and international) to security risks and ensuring the understanding and implementation of security documents
Influence
Develop external influence of HI and the external representation of the organization his/her responsibilities area
- Can represent HI vis-a-vis local, national, traditional, political, military and diplomatic authorities and bodies; and international organizations and coordination mechanisms & system.
- Relay he messages of HI global advocacy to all relevant external parties.
- Develop local partnerships, in link with the line Manager.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
Essential:
- At least 7-10 years of professional experience in humanitarian and/or development contexts;
- At least 5 years of experience as Operations Manager/Head of Programmes or similar position;
- Direct experience managing all aspects of the project management cycle
- Experience working with M&E and Reporting Systems
- Knowledge of donor strategies, procedures and reporting, developing proposals
- Previous security management experience mandatory
- Risk management (safeguarding of beneficiaries, security, finance, donors, etc.)
Preferred:
- Previous working experience with Humanity & Inclusion is a strong asset;
- Knowledge of disability issue and working with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities preferred
Competencies:
Essential:
- Proven managerial experience;
Demonstrated financial management skills
- Proven representation experience;
- Strong communication skills;
- Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills;
- English mandatory (oral and written)
- Strong writing and reporting skills
Personal qualities:
Essential: Ability to work under high pressure
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates Please send an updated CV (3 pages max, including three professional references.) with a cover letter addressed to: The HR department. Do not attach certificates.
Only Short-listed Candidates will be contacted.
Any efforts to influence the recruitment process will lead to automatic disqualification.
Deadline: Sunday 12th September 2021
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