To provide leadership to World Vision Southern Somalia operations and support the implementation and coordination of World Vision Somalia’s Global Fund, Somalia Resilience Program (SomRep) and bilateral grants toward the achievement of child well-being. The Operations Manager will oversee a portfolio of multi sectoral projects, providing leadership in design, implementation, integration, reporting and fund-raising.
The position holder will ensure risk-sensitive, pro-active, finance and support service provision to the program. He / She will serve as the field-level representative for all World Vision programs, ensuring coordination and information-sharing mechanisms are in place with relevant government, community, cluster and INGOs stakeholders and forums through effective World Vision representation.
Ensure Operational Effectiveness:
- Manage a portfolio of multi-sector grants to ensure they end on-time, on-target, within budget, and meet the highest quality reporting standards.
- Develop a culture of excellence with regards to the planning and implementation of projects.
- Ensure proper coordination with support sectors and PDQA to promote information sharing, effective implementation, and joint program design and planning.
- Ensure management of national offices systems, guidelines and strategic initiatives are effectively communicated and in use by staff.
- Take measures to ensure that all programs are adequately supported.
- Foster a culture of trust and mutual respect, encouraging local staff engagement in planning, management and decision-making.
Lead Operational and Programmatic Planning, Implementation and Monitoring:
- Develop growth strategy detailing sectorial opportunities and geographical demarcations for future growth.
- Where applicable, directly manage high profile grants, ensuring good planning, implementation, coordination, reporting and quality outcomes.
- Spearhead integrated programming and proposal development, developing and monitoring integration plans.
- Ensure strategic programmatic and operational plans are in place, operationalized and continuously improving (e.g. Strategy, Annual Budget, Integration Plan, GIK Plan, RDPP).
- Support adherence to key humanitarian standards and sector standards, actively following up on Technical Team Leads recommendations and monitoring uptake.
- Ensure National Office Strategy is contextualized, understood and implemented in conjunction with key stakeholders.
Foster Internal and External Engagement:
- Ensure World Vision (WV) is engaged in government, donor and coordination mechanism; holding staff accountable to represent WV in the relevant forums and document WV engagement.
- Strengthen existing WV information-sharing mechanism to promote coordination.
- Develop strategic networks enabling World Vision to leverage a collective voice in favour of children and their families, communities and partners.
- Promote World Vision leadership at key government and coordination mechanisms/forums.
- Ensure representation of all World Vision Flagship, SomRep and bilateral programs.
- Ensure engagement with other agencies to promote better coordination, joint-action and partnership.
Ensure Systems are in Place to Promote Audit Compliance and Good Stewardship:
- Promote efficient use of World Vision resources, developing and monitoring systems which promote good stewardship.
- Ensure awareness of, and full compliance with, donor and Support Offices requirements, including the timely preparation and submission of quality narrative and financial reports.
- Working closely with the Finance and Support Services Manager, support Program teams to develop, manage and monitor project budgets, ensuring value for money and that project expenditure is within agreed budgets.
- Facilitate the implementation of audit recommendations.
- Spearhead risk planning and ensure control measures are in place and in use.
- Lead in the identification and resolution of challenges which impact audit compliance and/or contribute to risk.
Staff Management and Capacity Building:
- Ensure good quality staff are attracted, retained and developed in the organization.
- Ensure there is a clear staff retention and succession plan in place especially for national staff.
- Effectively line manage and coach the Project Managers/Technical Specialist, ensuring a shared vision, team work, effective communication and active engagement in decision-making and management approaches.
- Implement existing performance management mechanisms, ensuring good participation and quality results to promote staff engagement and a culture of excellence.
- Ensure staff grievances and disciplinary action are addressed in a timely manner in alignment with WV policies.
- Cultivate an atmosphere of mutual accountability ensuring staff behavior models and promotes trust and teamwork.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- At 5 years of progressive management experience in complex/ protracted emergencies and recovery operations.
- Proven ability to manage a large and diverse program portfolio with multiple donors.
- Familiarity with EU, USAID, DFID, CIDA grant compliance and procedures. Willingness to assume other project tasks as required.
- Capacity to provide solid leadership and decision-making skills for efficient and effective program implementation.
- Strong problem solving, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of humanitarian industry including sphere standards, NGO code of conduct and humanitarian charter.
- Experience in staff security and safety management for humanitarian organizations in complex and insecure environments is a must.
- Very strong organizational, management and communication skills.
- Experience in program design, monitoring and evaluation in a complex humanitarian context.
- Proven financial, logistics and procurement management skills.
- Proactive problem-solver able to unravel and solve multiple complex challenges.
- Demonstrates strong understanding of systems design and implementation protocols.
- Should demonstrate strong inter-personal skills and a proven team-player.
- Should demonstrate Cross cultural sensitivity, balanced worldview, emotional maturity and the ability to cope with stressful work conditions.
Working Environment / Conditions:
- Work environment: 100% Field Based in with frequent travels to meet beneficiaries and program partners.
- Travel: Considerable amount of travel is required.