SUMMARY:
The position of Operations Director is an Executive Management and Leadership position in the PSI/Lesotho Country Platform. The purpose of this job is to provide strategic technical and management leadership to all PSI/Lesotho operational systems. The Operations Director is expected to apply internally and externally identified best practices to strengthen management systems, and to ensure all administrative, fleet, warehousing, financial and procurement functions are operating transparently and at top efficiency. The position represents Executive Management to internal staff and external vendors including IT and other service contractors. This position also serves on the NGO Security Committee and is the PSI/Lesotho Security Focal Point for internal and external staff safety issues. Measurement of the success of this position is based on budget consumption and management, internal audit scores, and platform adherence to Global Minimum Operating Standards.
This position is based in Maseru and reports to the Country Representative. This position supervises the following Corporate Services Departments and Managers: Administration, Finance, ICT and Procurement. The Operations Director also works very closely with the Programs and Technical Services department to ensure program timely program system improvement inputs as well as ensuring programs are receiving the support they need.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Country Platform Leadership & Strategic Operations
• In collaboration with the Country Representative (CR) and other managers, ensure that PSI/Lesotho achieves annual program objectives.
• Participate in Executive level management decisions, and provide input to platform wide strategy development
• Lead development of platform annual operating budget
• Participate in new business development, including the development of program design, and proposal budgets
• Lead the development and modification of platform operational policies and procedures
• Manage external relations with local government, commercial entities, lawyers and other service contractors as needed
• Supervise all managers within the Administration, Finance, ICT & Procurement departments and identify capacity development and performance-based development plans.
• Ensure PSI’s legal standing is in good order at all times and that government report deadlines are met
• Represent PSI/Lesotho in various forums locally, regionally and internationally
• Serve as the Security Focal Point for the Lesotho Platform
Financial Operations Management
• Supervise Finance Manager and support team ensuring reports and deadlines are met.
• Strengthen finance/accounting systems to ensure compliance with donor regulations.
• Create and manage annual budgets and budget tracking tools.
• Ensure proper financial management and monitoring of donor-funded projects, including
monthly analysis and forecasting.
• Review Financial reports and ensure program staff have current financial data for program planning
• Manage liquidity in order to ensure adequate cash for expenses.
• Lead development and rollout of internal control systems for proper use of PSI resources.
• Develop and train senior national staff members to prepare internal and external budgets as needed, including project budgets, donor crosswalks, budget realignments, project pipelines, and salary charging guides.
• Ensure Grant Management systems are compliant with various donor regulations.
• Review and sign off on all sub-grants for financial compliance and agency adherence.
• Oversee and manage external and internal audits, providing timely reports to PSI/Washington.
• Identify and implement cost-effectiveness measures for all Corporate Services departments.
• Coordinate /Lesotho’s participation in PSI’s global roll-out of a comprehensive finance, procurement, and contracts system (Lawson)
Administrative & Procurement Operations
• Supervise Administration and Procurement Functions.
• Ensure that all Operations Manuals are updated – this includes policies and procedures, security, pre-arrival, and operations documents.
• Ensure administrative systems including IT, telecommunications, and fleet support functions are working efficiently.
• Update, track and manage all leases and service contracts.
• Ensure that the office and all sub-offices are efficiently functioning and are observing agency Administrative standards.
• Maintain software package licenses and updated Trademark Registration for PSI owned brands.
• Guide the development of strong procurement policies and procedures to minimize opportunities for irregularities and fraud.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Postgraduate degree in finance /business administration or equivalent at least at honors level essential. Master’s degree is preferred
Minimum Seven years’ experience with an International NGO or comparable business at a Senior Management and/or Executive Level
Advanced knowledge of computer software, including financial computer packages
Experience in providing input to organizational strategy and to developing and leading teams to high levels of achievement
Excellent interpersonal skills
Good negotiation skills
Should hold a valid driver’s license
These abilities should be supported by experience managing contracts and a strong familiarity with Quickbooks or a similar accounting package as well as hands-on audit experience.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send by email cover letter, resume/curricula vitae (CV), list of 3-5 professional references (with contact information, supervisory references preferred), passport/ID and scanned copy of all academic degrees to [email protected]. Only email submissions
will be accepted. While all application submissions will be reviewed and considered, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
The application submission deadline is 10:00 a.m. local time on Monday, 4th January 2021.
Late applications will not be considered.