Save the Children UK Kenya Programme Jobs: Operations Director

Job Title: Operations Director

Reports to: Country Director, Save the Children UK Kenya programme

Direct reports: 1 Logistics Manager, 3 Field Office Managers and 1 Safety and Security Manager

Grade: 2.1

Child Protection Level: 3

Budget responsibility: Overall budget for operations delivery in excess of GBP 2m

Place of work: Nairobi, Kenya with 50% travel to field sites

Job Purpose

• To effectively and efficiently coordinate operations systems, processes and activities so that all Save the Children UK Kenya programmes are delivered on time according to organisational strategy, donor requirements and within allocated budgets.
• To contribute to the development and review of the country strategic direction and policy formulation as part of the core Senior Management Team.
• To play a key role in the expansion of Save the Children programmes in Kenya to increase impact and enable positive change for children.

Key accountabilities

• Contribute to the development and revision of Save the Children UK Kenya country strategic plan by providing a comprehensive contextual (social, political, economic, cultural and security) analysis of the programme’s operational areas and sound advice to SMT on strategic positioning of response
• Lead on periodic (half year/annual) programme review process for developing Save the Children UK Kenya Programme Annual Operational Plan in line with the Country Strategic Plan and Save the Children UK global guidelines for the process. Ensure the active involvement of field office managers, programme design & quality teams, finance and human resources managers
• Lead, manage and motivate the team of Operations staff (Logistics, Security and Field Office Managers) to perform highly in their respective roles and responsibilities. This will include leading on recruitments, inductions, objective setting, regular supervision and feedback sessions, mid term and annual performance reviews
• Coordinate and ensure integrated logistics, finance and grants and technical advisory support to field offices/programmes enables effective and efficient project implementation according to donors’ guidelines and Save the Children UK minimum standards
• Lead in developing a proposal development system, in liaison with SMT members. Coordinate the preparation, review and finalisation of proposals to donors ensuring adequate inclusion of technical, human, logistical and financial resources to efficiently and effectively deliver on the set objectives
• Oversee institutionalisation of project M&E systems to ensure timely and effective delivery of projects activities and outputs as well as appropriate accountability to donors, communities and children, with support of the Programme Design and Quality Director
• Lead in compiling country programme quarterly and annual progress reports against the annual operational plan and reports on country programme minimum standards
• Oversee implementation of effective finance and grants management systems at field office level, in liaison with the Finance Manager. This includes ensuring field offices hold timely new grants start-up meetings, monthly finance/grants meetings, have up to date grants files and that project staff/delegated budget holders are trained in grants management
• Oversee effective human resource management systems at field office level in line with Save the Children UK people management policies and country HR policy, with support of the Human Resources Manager
• Oversee creation and implementation of effective safety and security management systems at field office levels and ensure that new programmes are built around security considerations
• Oversee effective functioning of logistics systems to procure, store and distribute stock, supplies and services for the timely delivery of project objectives
• Undertake regular support visits to Field Offices (minimum bimonthly) to monitor programme delivery, identify gaps and support needs to ensure minimum standards are met
• Participate in monthly Senior Management Team Meetings and lead on SMT making quality operational decisions by presentation of papers and discussion at monthly SMT meetings. Contribute to full range of SMT decisions
• Participate in monthly Finance and Grants Meetings in Nairobi providing updates on project implementations, explanations for variances and plans for redress as needed
• Represent the principles and work of Save the Children UK to donors, United Nations, NGOs and INGOs, government, media and other forum as and when required
• Comply with and promote all Save the Children UK Global policies e.g. Child Safeguarding, Whistle blowing, Fraud, Health and Safety and other relevant policies
• Deputise for the Country Director as and when required

Person Specifications

Essential

• Masters in Business Administration or other relevant discipline
• Substantial number of years experience in operations management at a senior level in a large international non governmental organisation or other body involved in international relief or development
• Substantial number of years experience
• Experience of overseeing or directing security management in insecure environments
• Experience of delivering one or more Save the Children sectors in complex environments i.e. health, livelihoods, child protection, education, nutrition or food security
• Experience of providing effective management support in emergency responses
• In depth knowledge and experience of logistics systems and requirements in a multi field office, multi programme setting
• Good context analysis skills
• Excellent coordination, negotiation and management skills
• Experience of working with key donors in a multi donor setting
• Proven experience of budget and proposal development
• Proven experience of budget management at a senior level
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to identify and build on opportunities and convey an organisation wide perspective
• Fluent in English
• Willingness to adhere to and promote Save the Children UK’s Child Safeguarding and other global policies

Desirable

• Fluent in Swahili
• Experience in delivering operational services in the Horn of Africa ideally Kenya

How to apply

Click here to apply

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