Operations Director (M/F) – Liberia

BACKGROUND

The Institut européen de coopération et de développement (IECD), an international solidarity organisation founded in 1988, implements economic and human development projects in more than fifteen countries, in partnership with local institutions, enabling young people and people in precarious situations to gain access to decent and sustainable employment.

More than 30 years of experience in the fields of education, vocational training and access to employment for young people have enabled IECD to develop real know-how in the service of disadvantaged people.

The Institute operates in 17 countries, 4 geographical areas (Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia), and is structured around flagship programmes and a range of services proven in over 60 projects. In 2021, IECD will have 440 employees, including around fifty at head office and fifty expatriates in the field.

In 2020, the IECD is setting up in Liberia to implement actions in favour of employment. This new project includes a “Rural Development” component, to support agricultural producers in Bong County, and a “Training and Professional Integration” component, which will initially be deployed in Monrovia, then in Buchanan and Bong County. The Training and Vocational Integration component will provide support to the institutions involved in implementing the national strategy for technical and vocational education and training (TVET National Strategy).

As part of the implementation of this new project, the IECD is recruiting a Operations Director in Liberia to supervise the operations, ensure representation and guarantee the proper management of the IECD in the country, both administratively and financially.

MISSIONS

1. Supervision of IECD operations in Liberia

• Bringing the vision, objectives and medium and long-term strategy to life in Liberia.
• Define annual action plans, priorities and the resources (financial and human) needed to implement them.
• Supervising and monitoring the achievement of project objectives with the Project Managers.
• Identifying and managing operational, institutional and financial risks and opportunities with the various stakeholders involved in projects (teams, donors, partners, institutions, ministries).
• Leading and encouraging the sharing of experiences between the various IECD Liberia teams.
• Ensuring effective coordination with the Africa operations direction and other countries.
• Ensuring compliance with the financial commitments made to financial partners and the quality of reporting.

2. Management of Human Resources and Organisation of Support Services

• Overseeing the management of the Human Resources component, comprising expatriates and local staff (target team of 35 to 50 people, including 8 expatriates): recruitment, assessment, training, motivation, remuneration, health and safety, management of arrivals and departures, etc.
• Supervise the Project Managers and the Finance & Administration Manager and support them in the HR issues facing their teams.
• Develop local talent and encourage skills development and team loyalty.
• Leading a dynamic country team, bringing the spirit and values of IECD to life.
• Drawing up, updating and ensuring compliance with the safety plan for expatriates and local staff.
• To plan the development of the support services required for the smooth running of operations, in line with the needs and the material and financial resources of the projects.

3. Managing partnerships and external relations

• To represent the IECD in Liberia with the local authorities, the IECD’s operational partners (local and international associations, training centres), international institutions, companies and ministries.
• To maintain and strengthen good relations with the IECD’s public and private partners in Liberia: to contribute to maintaining a common vision of current actions, and to identify opportunities for joint action.
• Beyond the project, maintain and develop the IECD’s network of relations with public institutions, development and training players and companies.
• Supporting Project Managers in partnership relations relating to their area of responsibility.
• Develop an appropriate corporate communications strategy.
• Keep an active watch to identify funding opportunities and new partnerships.

4. Administrative and financial management – management control support – IECD

• As IECD’s main signatory in Liberia, ensure that all IECD Liberia’s formal commitments (contract, agreement, etc.) are consistent with IECD’s vision, strategy and interests.
• Ensuring that operational teams comply with current legislation, in particular employment law and the authorisations required to carry out their activities (registration, residence permits, work permits, etc.).
• Ensure financial and administrative management in accordance with project budgets
• Ensuring the continuous availability of financial information and cash flow statements, in collaboration with the Regional Management Controller.
• Managing quarterly operational and financial reviews.
• Validate the annual budgets for the various components of the project and ensure that they are adhered to.
• Ensuring compliance with IECD management and internal control procedures.

PROFILE

Training: Higher education in business, engineering, economics/management

Experience :

• Significant professional experience required (minimum 10 years) in a management position in the development or humanitarian sector
• Experience in unstable security environments desirable
• International experience essential, preferably in a developing country

Expected skills :

• Operational and financial management of projects ;
• Management: supporting, training, uniting and building team loyalty
• Ability to represent operational, institutional and financial partners
• Adaptation to local culture, interest in the geopolitical context
• Ability to work as part of a team in a matrix organisation
• Strategic and analytical vision for business development
• Mastery of the Office suite and the Microsoft environment
• Understanding of, or a strong interest in, education, vocational training and/or economic development issues in developing countries
• Fluent in Fench and English

Personal qualities :

• Leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, solutions-oriented
• Rigour, organisation, pragmatism
• Diplomacy and adapting to different levels of interlocutors
• Good work ethic: this position of responsibility requires strong commitment and perseverance
• Strong moral qualities: honesty, humility, respect
• Good interpersonal skills, open-mindedness, ability to listen
• Adaptation to local culture, interest in the geopolitical context
• Adherence to IECD’s values: a focus on people, a spirit of service, a professional commitment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Reporting to :

• Africa Operations Director, based in France

Working closely with :

• Head of Operations
• The Administrative and Financial Department and the Human Resources Department, the Programmes Department based in Paris

Job dates: As soon as possible, ideally with a 2-year commitment (renewable)

Location:

• Monrovia – Liberia

Travel: Regularly within the country and occasionally in France as required.

Contractual terms and conditions :

Contract: Agreement under French law – VSI

• Remuneration according to profile
• Housing contribution
• Two return air tickets per year of assignment for the VSI and his/her family (including initial and final mission flight)
• Complete medical and social package for VSI and their families
• Provision of a telephone, provision of a company car outside working hours
• Paid holidays: 29 days per year + local public holidays
• Possibility of family package with partial payment of school fees.