Deputy Country Director-Operations & Support

SCOPE OF WORK

The Deputy Country Director: Operations (DCD) plays a key role in the overall leadership and management of the IRC Zimbabwe program. The day to day portfolio will include direct supervision of the operations teams including Supply Chain; Safety & Security, Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and Field Office management and control and eventually the national and field office closure. The DCD role, works with the Finance department and the Country Director (CD) on overall financial management, working with the Deputy Director of Programs, CD and program teams to ensure quality program support services, and the Human Resources department to enhance staff management, learning and development according to IRC principles, standards and donor guidelines and that these services are delivered in a timely manner and within budget.

Reporting to the Country Director and serving as member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Deputy Country Director: Operations is expected to contribute to organizational strategic thinking, planning, and overall coordination efforts.The DCD is responsible for ensuring that all the necessary systems, policies and procedures are rolled out, understood, and implemented by the relevant staff in all program areas. In addition he/she ensures that the Country Director is briefed on security and safety incidents and general advice on security policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning and Business Development

• Lead the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan (SAP) as it relates to Operations.

• Lead the implementation of operations excellence program (Scorecards) identifying improvement priorities and developing action plans.

• Work with CD and DDP to identify opportunities for program expansion.

• Ensure all new proposals receive thorough Operations review and that appropriate support cost and country program asset needs are budgeted for.

• Review operating budget and strategy planning as part of the annual fiscal year and budget reforecast processes prior to HQ submission and periodically throughout the fiscal year

Zimbabwe main and field office closure

• Participate and as assigned by the CD maybe required to led/chair the Zimbabwe Close out Committee (CoC) for the field and national office.

• Working with HR, Program and Finance unit lead in the development of the overall Country close Out Plan for the Zimbabwe country program and provide the Day-to-day guidance, trouble shooting and decision making in consultation with the CD

• Liaise with HQ and the regional team in terms of the Zimbabwe country office Closure plans and action to be action are taken.

• Ensure the asset disposition process/plan are developed and approved working with HQ, Regional VP and Sit on asset disposal committee

• In consultation with field team and the internal stakeholders update close-out plan and prepare progress reports; lead on internal communications to all the key stakeholders to ensure they are informed of the plan and progress.

Administration & Supply Chain

• Ensuring that the Supply Chain team meets the needs of the programs in a timely manner and does so in accordance with IRC policies and procedures,

• Direct supervision of the Supply Chain Coordinator and oversight of all Supply Chain staff,

• Verify that Administration & Supply Chain policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program.

• Ensure that compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented.

• Ensure that all leased properties conform to health and safety standards;

• Assist the Administration & Supply Chain staff in developing and managing appropriate coordination mechanisms to ensure that all operational units are interacting well with each other, as well as with the Regional Unit, Global Supply Chain (GSC), the Country Office, across different field sites, and other IRC support entities.

• Assist supply chain staff in partnering effectively and cooperatively with other units to improve planning and resource utilization. Work with program staff to ensure procurement planning and identification of operational support needs.

• Ensure full proactive involvement of key processes with the finance department including Budget Versus Actual (BVA) report input and necessary information for operational budget accuracy.

• In collaboration with the Finance Manager, HR Manager, Deputy Director Programs and CD, ensure systems are streamlined between HR, Administration, Supply Chain, Finance and Programs.

• Provide input including operational risk analysis and recommendations to the Country Director and Finance Controller related to operations spending and effectiveness of in-country reporting and planning systems.

• Provide support to all field and program teams to ensure all field offices are functioning efficiently and transparently and in compliance with IRC procurement guidelines.

Information Technology

• Supervise the IT Department and manage the Information Communications Technology (ICT) consultant

• Verify that information technology policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program.

• Ensure that IT compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented.

• Support the IT staff to provide top-tier and effective IT services and support to the Country Office and across all field sites.

Safety and Security

• Overall management of safety and security, including:

• Ensuring the risks IRC staff face in their work environment are mitigated against to the degree feasible given the context,

• Ensuring Security Management Plan and SOP are in place, kept current and implemented by all staff at all times,

• Ensuring that contextual and scenario analysis are update regularly and shared with the wider management team,

• Supervise the Safety and Security Focal Person and Security staff,

• Work closely with Regional and Global Security related teams,

• Ensure that Safety and Security is factored into program design and implementation, including but not limited to ensure the timely collection and sharing of relevant information,

• Ensuring all staff can access relevant safety and security trainings in a timely manner.

Field Office Management and Control

• Provide oversight and guidance to Field focal Persons based in field offices, on the aspects of field office control and efficiency.

• Work in collaboration with the Security Focal Person Manager to ensure that field staff are well trained and operating in compliance with the Security Management Plan.

• Participate in the development and/or review of new proposals, operating plans and strategic plans ensuring that the views of field staff are captured and reflected wherever appropriate.

• Develop and maintain a system that effectively captures performance data field offices sites. Work with the SMT to proactively identify, analyze and respond to trends either through reinforcement or corrective action.

• Participate in the development and/or review of new proposals, operating plans and strategic plans ensuring that the views of field staff are captured and reflected wherever appropriate.

Coordination & Representation

• Serve as an active member of the country program’s Senior Management Team and occasionally deputize for the Country Director when he/she is out of the country or on leave.

• Ensure proactive communication within the Regional Safety and Security Advisor, Regional Unit, HQ Support Departments and NY offices as appropriate.

• Ensure IRC Zimbabwe is represented at relevant operations clusters and actively participates.

Staff Management, Learning & Development

• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting quarterly performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.

• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least bi-weekly.

• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.

• Promote and monitor staff care, well-being and self-care; approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage.

• Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC’s country and Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

• As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of a national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by end of assignment

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Country Director

Position directly supervises: Supply Chain Officers, Safety and Security Focal Person, Field Ops Manager, and IT Consultant

Other Internal and/or external contacts: DD Programs, Program managers; Finance Manager, HR Manager and Regional Functional Leads

Requirements:

• Seven or more year’s progressive management and leadership experience with an International NGO.

• Bachelor’s degree in a Management, Supply Chain, Administration or and relevant management or technical field.

• Experience managing country program teams with a diverse portfolio; knowledge of major donors (including USAID/OFDA, ECHO/EC, UN Agencies and Private donors).

• Strong background in Supply Chain, Logistics, Administration.

• Experience in IT is strongly preferred.

• Experience managing Security in a hostile environment.

• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious teams in cross cultural context.

• Strong diplomatic skills. Ability to establish good working relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders in a sensitive environment.

• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• English fluency required.

Standards of Professional Conduct

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/10266?c=rescue