Regional Operations Director
Right To Play
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Last Date: February 11, 2011
Job Posting – "Regional Operations
Director"
Closing Date:
February 11th, 2011
Region: East and Southern Africa
Work location: Kampala, Uganda
ORGANIZATION PROFILE: Right To Play is an
international development organization that uses specially-designed sport and
play programs to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for
children and communities affected by war, poverty and disease. Working in both
the humanitarian and development context, Right To Play has projects in more
than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Right To
Play is a global-scale implementer of Sport for Development and Peace programs
and takes an active role in driving research and policy development in this area
and in supporting children’s rights.
JOB SUMMARY: The Regional Operations
Director will assume operational management of the East and Southern Africa
Region for a nine month limited term. The EASA Region includes operations in six
core countries. This is a key part of the plan to assess the capacity and needs
in the Region as the incumbent Regional Director moves into a new Program
Strategic Advisor role to complete the remainder of her term concluding in
September 2011. A recruitment plan will be established at a later date for a new
Regional Director to commence in late 2011. Reporting directly to the Senior
Director International Programs at Right To Play HQ in Toronto, Canada, the
Regional Operations Director is accountable for the effective management of the
operations of Right To Play in East and Southern Africa, including effective
program operations, staff management and HR, program and financial compliance,
security assessment and planning. This position will assess the composition and
output of the team to assure effective delivery of the programs, while complying
with policies, in a safe and productive employment environment. The position
will also facilitate cross-functional collaboration within the Region and with
HQ and National Offices. The Regional Operations Director should have the full
range of administrative and managerial skills required for such a position,
including team leadership, performance management, cross-cultural communication,
financial management and security planning.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: #1: Staff Management and
Performance Evaluation
Directly manage a team of regional office staff
with technical expertise and a team of country managers with direct program
management responsibility;
Conduct an initial assessment of staff skill sets
and performance and make immediate short-term recommendations on how to
structure the team;
Implement a staffing plan, including job
restructurings, layoffs or new hirings as necessary;
Establish a performance culture in the region and
set clear expectations;
Provide effective leadership to the entire
regional staff and assure a conducive environment for performance;
Develop the skill base of key staff within the
region to meet requirements;
Review, measure and assure the capabilities of
regional and country teams to become strong managers and program implementers;
Provide a recommendation on the recruitment
process for a new Regional Director.
#2: Safety and Security Planning and Response
Conduct a rapid safety and security audit within
the region;
Conduct a rapid assessment of the safety and
security context of the Regional Office in Uganda and support structures;
Make recommendations for new systems and
protocols that need to be implemented for safety and security planning and
response;
Ensure that Country Managers have established
appropriate country safety and security plans that are implemented;
Assess and recommend the appropriate mix of roles
and responsibilities for the Regional Office;
#3: Operational and Financial Management
Oversee budget management for the entire Region
and ensure coherence with organizational policies, donor agreements and other
guidelines;
Monitor spending to ensure expenditures,
activities and deliverables are within project scope, budget and timeline;
Review activities and workplans to assess
progress against targets and enforce accountability of program managers;
Coordinate and manage the activities of the
Regional Office to deliver operational and financial management and support.
#4: Policy Compliance
Ensure the implementation of standard operating
procedures and practices in all countries and projects;
Ensure compliance with financial guidelines and
the implementation of financial controls;
Implement HR practices according to policy;
Follow-up on internal audit recommendations and
continue to collaborate with internal audit group;
Conduct audits as necessary in collaboration with
HQ.
#5: Program Management and Implementation
Assure the implementation of programs according
to grant and contract deliverables and budgets;
Coordinate the internal reporting on program
implementation and ensure full collaboration with colleagues engaged in
reporting;
Manage the activities of the Regional Office to
provide support to country staff in program implementation;
Provide guidance to HQ and countries on
appropriate restricted revenue opportunities.
EDUCATION / TRAINING / CERTIFICATION:
Master’s degree in International Development,
International Business, Political Science or a related field with strong
experience. Other international development and child development certifications
an asset.
EXPERIENCE: Required (must have):
10 to 15 years experience in international
development, field operations management or related field;
Direct working experience in Africa or countries
in conflict for a minimum of three years;
10 years direct staff and budget management
experience;
Experience in developing and managing budgets;
Fluent in written and spoken English;
Experience in operational planning and results
based management;
Experience in safety and security planning and
response.
Desired (asset):
A second or third language relevant to the
region;
Experience in child and youth development;
Experience in sport and play programming;
Experience in particular thematic areas relevant
to the Region.
COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES / TECHNICAL
SKILLS:
Strong operational and compliance capabilities.
A high level of team leadership, cross cultural
communication skills and emotional intelligence.
A strong results orientation and effective at
multi-tasking.
Good knowledge and skill in all areas of human
resource management, particularly as it relates to international programs and
working in developing countries.
Clear understanding of development programming.
High level of field operational skills.
Understanding of results based management,
program design, and implementation.
Strong financial analysis and management skills.
Excellent oral and written communication.
Understanding of Sport for Development and Peace
(asset).
GENERAL:
We offer a very competitive salary and benefits package. The contract is of nine
months’ duration. The employment start date is as soon as possible. This
position is located in the Regional Office in Kampala, Uganda. Up to 30 to 40%
travel may be required .
If you are interested in applying for this
position, please send your resume and cover letter as soon as possible to:
hr1@righttoplay.com and kindly
include the job title in the subject line. Please indicate your salary
expectations in the cover letter. While we thank all applicants for their
interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
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