Operations Manager

Overview

BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In close coordination with USAID, the Central America Regional Initiative (CARI) program will contribute to the US government efforts to address the root causes of irregular migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, including increasing community and institutional resilience..

Initial objectives include:

1. Strengthen systems, social networks, behavior, and perceptions that foster a sense of rootedness and hope for the future in high out migration communities.
2. Weaken system social networks, behavior and perceptions that support irregular migration as the only alternative to individual and collective advancement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Manager plays a key role in supporting the Chief of Party in managing the Contractor’s day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations, including the project’s facilities (such as office space, equipment and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and financial accounting (which may include cash flow management, timesheet recording and daily monitoring of obligations, budgets, and expenditures). The OM is responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations and coordinating with the Contractor Home Office on all compliance issues, seeking legal and policy guidance on any applicable restrictions, which may include: monitoring grantee worthiness; assuring fair and transparent procurement processes; reviewing financial management; and monitoring activity implementation.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The Operations Manager will report to Country Director/Chief of Party and oversee the procurement, logistics, IT, human resources, and grants functions.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Organize, oversee and manage all operations including but not limited to administration, logistics, grants, procurement, budgeting, financial, and property.
• Ensuring that program implementation is in accordance with USAID regulations and procedures and the specifications determined in the SOW. This will include monitoring grantee worthiness, ensuring that all procurement processes are perceived as transparent by beneficiary communities, assuring fair and transparent procurement processes, review of financial management, and monitoring grant implementation.
• Manage the HR, Procurement and Logistics Officer, Grants Manager and IT staff, and provide guidance as needed to ensure the Operations team provide all the support, goods and services needed to execute the program.
• Ensuring that the most reasonable, fair, expeditious, and appropriate procurement choices were made pursuant to the Contractor’s Procurement Guide.
• Supervising the Contractor’s day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations (including the project’s facilities such as office space, equipment and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and financial accounting.
• Supervising the daily financial operations of the contract, which include cash flow management, timesheet recording, reporting to OTI on the financial aspects of the project, and daily monitoring of obligations, budgets, and expenditures.
• Ensuring continuous liquidity for the project; handling all human resource issues; supervising the day-to-day implementation of all grants made under the program; and investigating and identifying new ways of achieving project efficiencies.
• Coordinating with the Contractor Home Office on all compliance issues, seeking legal and policy guidance on sanctions and other applicable restrictions.
• While not directly responsible for overseeing activity development, the OM will be expected to have a good grasp of the programmatic aspects of the program and be prepared to step in as needed to support the COP and other program staff in activity development aspects of the project while staying apprised of the evolution of the local political, legal, and economic situation and on how to continuously adapt the program.
• The OM may be required to serve as acting Country Director when needed. Qualifications

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• [Mid-Level] At least five (5) years of experience working on donor-funded projects in a related role / [Senior-level] At least seven (7)] years of experience working on donor-funded projects in a related role
• Experience working in developing countries is required.
• The candidate should be fluent in the Contractor’s and USAID’s policies and procedures in regards to human resources, financial management, financial reporting, and procurement processes, systems, and grants management.
• Financial management experience, including budgeting; financial management (tracking, reporting and accounting); and procurement.
• Fluency in Spanish.
• Working proficiency in written and oral English.
• Leadership and good management experience,
• Clear communication, diplomacy, and assertive skills
• Empathy to local culture
• Good supervision skills and experience creating work environments that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and co-responsibility.

PI149451887

Apply Here