Chemonics International seeks interested and qualified individuals for the Operations Director position for the anticipated USAID-funded Barbados Basic Education Workforce Readiness Activity in two countries. The goal of this Activity is to improve learning outcomes and economic opportunities for second-chance learners.
Job Description
The Operations Director will manage all aspects of finance & accounting, human resources, and administration necessary to implement project activities in Suriname and St. Vincent & Grenadines.
The position is anticipated to be based in Bridgetown, Barbados. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world. Please note that hiring for this position is contingent upon the contract’s future award to Chemonics International.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Finance & Accounting
- Provide oversight to day-to-day operations to include efficient process flows and controls over payments, cash transfers, and other cash journal entries.
- Coordinate banking operations and liaise with the bank and ensure bank and cash accounts are reconciled in a timely manner.
- Ensure all expenditures are justified and substantiated adequately and all financial transactions and practices related to project activities adhere to USAID and Government of Barbados regulations.
- Oversee/ calculate tax declaration and process any tax payments, when appropriate.
- Prepare and maintain all the project financial reporting.
- Oversee the purchase of office supplies and other small to mid-size procurements.
- Prepare and submit monthly/yearly/ad-hoc financial reports to the home office and donors; respond to questions from home office accounting unit and project management unit.
- Provide financial trainings/ orientations to ensure that staff are aware of and comply with Finance policies and procedures.
- Maintain good knowledge and understanding of all office rules and procedures as set forth in the field office policy manual.
- Provide inputs on annual work-plan, annual budget, routine, and ad-hoc reports requested by donor/s and the Home Office.
- Perform other tasks as directed by Chief of Party
Human Resources
- Coordinate the recruitment processes in compliance with Chemonics established procedures including but not limited to and interview questions, and conducting reference checks, negotiating offers of employment, and collecting required documentation from candidates.
- Confirm all new hire paperwork is submitted and personnel files are complete and compliant with Chemonics policy, local labor laws, and USAID regulations.
- Support all onboarding processes by ensuring new hires are provided with adequate training and orientation regarding the project and relevant Chemonics policies in order to perform the job to the best of their ability.
- Work closely with the Chief of Party on staff communication, including policy updates, project initiatives for staff, and labor law compliance.
- Manage and administer benefits according to appropriate plans and labor law requirements, bringing any requirement changes to the Chief of Party.
- Coordinate annual performance assessment process, ensuring procedures are communicated to staff and followed accordingly.
- Ensure employee manuals are up to date and communicate changes when applicable.
- Support scope of work development and oversee receipt of the necessary approvals for technical engagement with short-term consultants.
Administration
- Develop and maintain basic administrative systems, including required records, to ensure compliance with USAID and Chemonics policies.
- Oversee maintenance of the physical office and procurement of all office equipment, furniture, supplies and services.
- Maintain tracking systems such as procurement and approvals; collect and review proposals/quotations from bidders and potential vendors and provides information and support to evaluation panels for non-technical procurements.
- Liaise with the home office project management unit for personnel and administrative support and reporting.
- Oversees all project operations including but not limited to administration, logistics, budgeting, financial, and property management.
- Coordinating with headquarters on all compliance issues, seeking legal and policy guidance on sanctions and other applicable restrictions. Manages local registration mechanisms and administration, including adherence to compliance with host country requirements.
- Identifying adjustments in operations to ensure that the project adapts to changes in need and context.
- Establishes close working relationship with the Technical Director and Grants Manager to ensure smooth coordination around planning, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities.
- Adheres to and champions all Chemonics values including Caring, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, and Opportunity.
Qualifications:
- At least six (6) years of relevant work experience with a bachelor’s degree or ten (10) years of relevant work experience without a bachelor’s degree on donor-funded projects in a related role, preferably with grants or small grants under contract programs
- Minimum three (3) year supervisory experience is required, preferably with culturally and geographically diverse staff.
- Suriname, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Barbados experience preferred
- Experience with a donor, contractor, or international NGO managing an office or program is required.
- Fluency in USAID’s policies and procedures regarding human resources, financial management, financial reporting, and systems is strongly preferred. Prior experience with Chemonics’ procedures and systems is also desirable.
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing program start-up under limited time constraints as well as program close-out is highly desired, but not required.
- Experience working in security challenged environments is strongly preferred.
- Profession proficiency in written and spoken English required.
- Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to coordinate complex activities in high-paced work environments.
- Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
- Ability to live and work in Bridgetown, Barbados with travel to the Suriname and St. Vincent & the Grenadines as required
Application instructions:
Please send an email with your CV and cover letter attached with “Barbados Basic Education Operations Director” in the subject line to mnicol@chemonics.com by November 11, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact finalists.
Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.
Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice.
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