Senior Operations Director

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Description
The Senior Director of Operations for the African and Madagascar Field Division has responsibility for the financial, human resources and administrative functioning of the division. The incumbent will set standards related to operational and financial management, ensuring that human and financial resources are aligned and maximized for the greatest conservation impact. Working with the operations staff in each country s/he ensures that CI’s policies and local laws and regulations in the areas of finance, HR and administration are understood and followed. The Senior Director will assess the operations performance of CI’s programs in Madagascar, South Africa, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Botswana; identify gaps and work with country directors and operations directors to address and remedy areas of concern.

There is a focus on the financial, accounting, donor and grant management functions to make certain these functions are performed in a way to achieve maximum effectiveness, efficiency and compliance and to adequately manage the risk associated with these areas. S/he is also responsible for liaising with IT to ensure that country programs have the appropriate infrastructure and connectivity and are able to access and use CI’s technology assets.

The position reports directly to the Senior Vice President for the Africa and Madagascar Field Division.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• At the divisional level, analyze spending, monitor financial risk and oversee fiscal year and major proposal budget and long range financial plan (LRFP) preparation.
• Manage budgeting, reporting and financial compliance of grants that apply to more than one country.
• Identify financial contingencies and grant/donor management issues and assist in their resolution.
• Work with country directors and operations leads to ensure employment agreements and the provision of compensation packages, benefits and separation processes are consistent with CI policy and local law.
• Liaise with Global HR to get guidance and/or advise on HR strategic issues.
• Supervise HR initiatives and global processes, such as performance management including the annual review and merit for the Division.
• Monitor compliance with CI policy and local laws, identify gaps and issues, take action or work with others to take action as appropriate, including resolution of audit findings.
• Identify, resolve or escalate issues of high risk.
• Ensure proper use and application of CI systems and processes.
• Facilitate feedback to/from field staff/HQ on policies and procedures and their implementation.
• Fill short term operational gaps at the Country level.
• Implement CI programs, or develop other capacity building initiatives, to ensure that staff are fully engaged and able to deliver results.
• Identify training needs and arrange to have those needs met.
• Support program/system roll-outs.
• Participate in hiring and reviewing of key divisional staff.
• Build and maintain divisional Operations Networks.
• Help Division SVP ensure alignment of outcomes and strategies including the implementation of CI’s blueprint for success through the CI in Action program.
• Gather and present divisional performance information.
• Assure timely completion of work plans and budgets.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This position will have to travel approximately 25% of the time and is expected to develop a thorough understanding of the operations status of every program in their division.

QUALIFICATIONS:
 

Required:
• A degree in business administration or equivalent; plus 8 to 10 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• An experienced leader with international non for profit experience.
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with excellent facilitation skills to involve strategic contributors in key processes leading them to reach agreements.
• A well-organized and self-directed individual who is "politically savvy" and a team player.
• An articulate individual with excellent communication skills.
• An expert to identify trends and tendencies using analytical and synthesizing skills.
• A thinker to plan, prioritize and implement with a strategic approach.
• Able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and to skillfully gather and analyze information.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office

Preferred:
• Africa/Madagascar: Fluent French required. Working use of Spanish preferred.
• MBA, CPA or equivalent preferable.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume or CV and up to date contact details of three references to lkamiwa@conservation.org .

Closing Date: 31 August 2011