Thursday, December 17, 2009

Education Development Center (EDC), Operation Manager, Deadline January 10, 2010.


Operations Manager Job Description: Immediate Opening

                                                                                   
Introduction

EDC’s International Development Division, has an opening for an Operations Manager, reporting to the Chief of Party of the Prepara Ami ba Servisu (Preparing Us for Work) Project (PAS); based in Dili Timor Leste.

Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading non-profit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC’s work spans the globe, joining research with practice to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges in education, health promotion, technology, human rights, and the environment. While the issues we confront are complex, all that we do is united by one simple conviction: Learning is the liberating force in human development. EDC is Committed to Diversity in the Workplace. 


About the PAS Project

Over a period of three years, the PAS project will provide 2,500 minimally-educated rural men and women, ages 16-30, with a workforce preparation program that combines off-the-job instruction with on-the-job training. Elements of this program include literacy/language learning, employability and life-skills training, entrepreneurship training, and vocational skill building.  The program will combine formal instruction with on-the-job training in some of the country’s most rural areas. As part of this training, participants will have the opportunity to gain real work experience and while applying new-found skills gained through formal instruction.

Position:  Operations Manager

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

SPECIFIC DETAILS

1.      Provide oversight of the project’s finance, subgranting, administration, human resource, IT, security fleet/facilities and procurement functions.

2.      Work closely with CoP and relevant internal stakeholders to ensure all aspects of EDC’s work are fully consistent with contractual obligations, USAID regulations, law of Timor-Leste and reflect practices of transparency, accountability and sound development practice.  Approach to risk management shall be comprehensive and include financial, contractual, legal, reputational, business and security risks.

3.      Revise project policies and procedures manual and train all staff in its in its usage and adherence.

4.      Provide leadership, training, mentoring, guidance and supervision to EDC’s project Finance + HR + Administration + Procurements staff and fill in for key personnel as required.  Ensure that information to the HO and/or donor is accurate and timely.  Ensure project is properly staffed and develop effective HR strategies to support recruitment, retention and staff development.
 
5.      Work with subgrants staff to provide training, guidance and mentoring to small NGO subgrantees, specifically on how to fill financial forms, prepare expense reports, requests for funds, internally check and verify the authenticity of expense vouchers and payments, etc.  Provide sub-grantees with a high level of technical assistance and support with preparation of proposals, budgets, financial and narrative reports.

6.      Continuously monitor the systems in place and proactively make recommendation to the COP for changes and additional measures required to ensure enhanced efficiency and transparency within the project.

7.      Serve as point person for internal and external financial audits.

8.      Ensure all expenses in the field are transparent, allocable, allowable and reasonable.  Together with the program team and CoP, develop and ensure budgets and sub-grants are proactively monitored and provide monthly internal report/recommendations and other reports per established scheduled and/or upon request.

9.      Work closely with and provide assistance to the COP, and make available accurate and detailed information, for effective and efficient decision making.

10.  Ensure high level of communication and efficient coordination, on all levels, between the Program and Support units, for the effective implementation of the project.  Support a “ONE team” approach that supports integration of operations, sub-grants, program and Monitoring and Evaluation functions.

Qualifications and Requirements:

·         Demonstrated experience working as operations manager for international development projects  with an emphasis on financial management, subgrant management and compliance
·         CPA
·         Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required with 8-10 years relevant experience, or
·         Master's degree or equivalent with 5-7 years relevant experience;
·         Competence with small business accounting software, preferably Quickbooks, along with Microsoft Word & Excel
·         Excellent math skills; strong financial analysis skills
·         Knowledge of the rules & regulations USAID highly desirable
·         Ability and willingness to travel frequently to rural areas that lack amenities;
·         Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.  Ability to work well under pressure, consistently demonstrate leadership by example and work effectively as a team in a challenging, multi-cultural environment is a must;
·         Strong communication, diplomacy, listening, mediation and negotiation skills required;
·         Excellent communication in English,  Tetum and/or Bahasa Indonesia highly desired and/or facility for language acquisition.


CONTACT:  Please send CVs to

CLOSING DATE: 10 January 2010
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EDC is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) and a smoke-free workplace