GBLCAREERS

Reporting to the National Team Leader, the Senior Manager – Operations has overall in-country operations responsibility for the project. Senior Manager – Operations (SM OPs) is a senior representative of Palladium and a member of the programme senior management team and as such must ensure that operational risks are actively identified and minimised; company policies, processes and procedures are made known to the programme team and adhered to and that overall, the project is compliant with DFID policies, rules and regulations, e.g. DFID SMART Rules.

Working closely with the Senior Manager Finance (SM Finance), Palladium corporate operations, the SM OPs ensures that internal as well as DFID operational and reporting requirements of the client are adhered to. The role works closely with and manages the project team of administrative professionals and other support staff within the programme and across consortium partners.

Primary responsibilities

• Working closely with the SM Finance, this position ensures preparation of the annual strategic plans; operational work plans and budgets; staffing plans; performance improvement plans and other plans as required is conducted timely in line with Palladium and DFID timelines and requirements;
• Ensures appropriate consultation in the development of operational plans (including consultation with the Project Operations Manager, the Client, Consortium partners and other project stakeholders);
• With the SM Finance jointly monitors the implementation of approved annual work plan and budgets, in line with DFID requirements on budget and forecast variance
• Provides operational guidance, oversight and quality assurance for all project activities, outputs and deliverables;
• Assumes responsibility for administrative, operational and financial support required for the effective implementation of work plans on time, within budget, meeting client and stakeholder expectations and contractually compliant;
• Supports Team Leader in maintaining an up to date logs of issues and risks; works to resolve issues, manages and mitigates risks; and escalates material issues and risks as appropriate;
• Supervise and ensure value for money in programme planning and implementation including in contracting, procurement and management of grantees, sub-contractors and service providers;
• Works closely with the Deputy Team Leader – Results to ensure implementation and ongoing review and reporting of Value for Money (VfM);
• Assumes overall responsibility for the effective and professional management of the operations team (including administrative, and HR staff);
• Leads, guides, mentors and manages the performance of direct reports and ensures appropriate leadership, guidance, mentorship and management of other operations staff;
• Participates as required in HR management including but not limited to recruitment and contracting, performance management, disciplinary and grievance proceedings, and learning and development;
• Ensures consistent implementation of company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Guidelines, Security Protocols and, where applicable, recommend modifications;
• Ensures the project operational activities provide and demonstrate good value for money;
• Client Relationship and Stakeholder Management:
• Maintains excellent working relationship with the client and supports the Team Leader in Client communications and in agreement of the programme’s operational plans;
• Manages relationships with business partners, Palladium’s programme implementing partners and other project stakeholders as appropriate;
• Maintains regular communication with relevant stakeholders and ensure that reporting and critical programme issues are resolved in a timely manner;

Minimum education and experience required

• A postgraduate qualification in project management, , human resources management, or other related discipline
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, with specific experience managing large DFID-funded programmes
• A minimum of 4 years of people management experience including setting clear performance objectives, managing for results, giving and receiving feedback, performance evaluation, mentoring and coaching
• Solid understanding of DFID’s approach to Value for Money (VfM)
• In country working experience in Northern Nigeria or similar environments

Key competencies and professional expertise required

• Successful track record in delivery of complex programmes
• Strong track record in project operations or business management and administration
• Excellent leadership, representation and organisational skills
• High level strategic thinker
• Strong management and people handling skills
• Ability to operate in complex situations
• Ability to foster successful partnership approaches and relationships among a variety of organisations/institutions
• Excellent English language communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across technical disciplines
• Ability to communicate effectively and negotiate persuasively with high level decision makers
• Results oriented