Project Operations Manager at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries.

Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Operations Manager

Location: Lagos
Project Title: Youth-powered Ecosystem to Advance Urban Adolescent Health and Well-being program
Reports to: Technical Director (Lagos)
Programme End-date: May 2025

Programme Overview

• The Youth-powered Ecosystem to Advance Urban Adolescent Health and Well-being activity is a five-year USAID funded programme in Nigeria, beginning in May 2020.
• The program, in partnership with select local NGOs will foster, develop and support an ecosystem of safe spaces for youth to gain life-skills, access sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information as well as referrals to local facilities.
• The primary goal of the programme is to improve the health and well-being of urban, poor adolescents; ages 15–19, by increasing voluntary family planning (FP) uptake and continued use—from a holistic, human capital perspective.

Job Summary

• The Operations Manager will provide support to the projectsenior management team to ensure efficient management of the operational aspects of the project, as well as overall compliance with contractual requirements, DAI policies, USAID regulations, and local law.
• S/he will provide supervision and lead all aspects of project administration including personnel management, record and file management, office operations, IT support, security, travel, and logistics.

Responsibilities
Other Key Responsibilities Include:

• Support and oversee all administrative tasks for the project including managing relationships with landlords, monitoring leases, internal project event planning, maintenance of paper and electronic filing, etc.
• Supervise and manage administrative team, including the Lagos and Kano Administrative Officers.
• Maintain communication with DAI’s home office staff on administrative and operational aspects of the project.
• With the Chief of Party, ensure operational compliance with USG, USAID, DAI corporate, and Nigerian regulations.
• Ensure that administrative records, and project personnel documentation, are well-organized, maintained and updated. Ensure project staff are properly trained in project data management systems, and that staff actively incorporate the data management system into daily project activities.
• Oversee the management of project offices in both Lagos and Kano, and ensure that all project facilities are powered, cleaned, and functioning properly.
• Liaise with DAI Office of Information Management and Technology to ensure IT support and systems for all team members functioning.
• Support HR needs from project side by liaising with DAIN HR staff to manage recruitment, salary negotiations, hiring, evaluation, and termination of employees, in consultation with the COP and in compliance with USAID regulations.
• Coordinate with the DAIN procurement staff to assist project team in hiring Nigerian consultants.
• Assist SubAward Manager with procurements on an as needed basis (developing RFQ/RFPs, managing bid openings and technical review committees, compiling selection paperwork, properly documenting and closing files upon completion of an activity).
• Ensure that all new and current staff are trained on personnel policies, administrative procedures and procurement. This includes managing updates to field operations manual and support staff understanding of its use
• With the Senior Organizational Capacity Development Specialist and SubAward Manager, strengthen capacity of and ensure compliance of local implementing partners with USAID and Nigerian policies, rules, and regulations as needed.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or similar discipline required
• 7-10 years of relevant experience working on donor-funded projects in a related role with supervisory experience. USAID experience preferred.
• Experience in program operations, including procurement of goods and equipment, facilities management, travel and logistics, and/or subcontracting required.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with a wide range of organizations, beneficiaries, and related parties.
• Demonstrated report writing skills in English required.
• Working knowledge of USAID operations, policies, and procedures, FAR regulations, and DAI operations policies and procedures (e.g. procurement, local subcontract agreements, etc.) preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Discretion with confidential information

Application Closing Date
5th October, 2021.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note: DAI will only contact candidates that are successful at this pre-qualification stage.