Abt Global Britain is seeking a qualified Operations Director for an anticipated FCDO programme that will focus on improving the governance of social services across different levels of government. The programme also aims to improve access to quality social services for excluded and marginalised groups, as well as increasing preparedness to shocks within the social sector. Please note the position is contingent upon the project award to Abt Global Britain. 

Diversity and inclusion are important pillars at Abt Global, and as such would like to strongly encourage female applicants, younger applicants, and applicants from rural areas to apply for this role. This is Kathmandu-based position with frequent travel to programme areas; we encourage candidates either from or with work experience in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces. 

The Operations Director is responsible for budgeting, financial management and reporting; oversight of procurement; administrative management of any sub-awards and vendor contracts; human resources management; and general administrative and operational support for programme activities. S/he will serve as a member of the project’s Senior Management Team to ensure that the project team has the administrative and financial support required to deliver on the programme description and approved workplans. 

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following: 

Compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with FCDO and Abt Global policies, regulations and procedures governing the Contract Agreement. 
• Oversee the development of administrative and operations management systems and processes required to support project implementation, ensuring compliance with FCDO and Abt policies and regulations. 

Operations Management 

• Manage the provision of operational support to project activities, ensuring that project senior management and programme staff have the support required to implement planned activities.  
• Manage implementation of financial, administrative, and human resources (HR) policies and procedures that meet project needs and corporate and client requirements. 
• Provide ongoing financial administration to project including approvals of purchase requisitions, local consultant agreements, vendor invoices, and the like. 
• Oversee procurement efforts for the project including selection and negotiation with vendors, and management of sub-partners on the project in compliance with FCDO and Abt Global procurement regulations. 
• Supervise institutional sub-agreements with assistance from the home office project team (Finance and Contract Manager, in particular). 
• Guide the administrative team on aspects of project annual work planning, and ensure that quality operational plans, budgets, and reports are submitted as per contract agreements. 

Financial Management 

• Ensure that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with FCDO and project requirements, procedures, and practices for compliance and audits. 
• Create and maintain financial reporting and tracking systems, and provide financial performance updates on project activities. 
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of monthly Remote Office Voucher. 
• Develop and manage project banking procedures and transactions.  

Human Resources & Performance Management 

• Oversee all human resources management functions – recruitment, hiring, transition and termination; benefits administration; performance appraisal and ongoing performance management; leave tracking; rewards and recognition; disciplinary processes – in collaboration with the home office-based Finance and Contracts Manager and Abt’s human resources department. 
• Supervise all financial, administrative and operational project support staff. 
• Ensure that staff, team members and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities and comply with contract requirements, FCDO and Abt Global’s HR policies and procedures for hiring, performance reviews, terminations, etc. 
• Provide training to staff on project procedures and build skill-levels of project staff in the area of finance, administration, and project management. 

General Project Management 

• Contribute to monthly and quarterly reporting processes, to enable the Team Lead to provide regular status and progress reports to FCDO and Abt Global. 
• In collaboration with the Team Lead, coordinate with the home-based project management team to assure that all managerial and administrative matters are communicated, and actions comply with the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement and with FCDO.  
• Liaison with the home office-based Finance and Contracts Manager and International Accounting Manager on all operational and financial issues. 

Qualification requirements include the following: 

• A post-graduate degree in business administration, finance, accounting, management, or other relevant field.  
• At least seven years of professional work experience in the financial and administrative management of large complex development projects, preferably with FCDO or other donor funding and in social sector fields. 
• Supervisory and/or management work experience including: (1) direct supervision of professional and support staff; (2) quality evaluation of staff performance and deliverables; (3) contract/cooperative agreement management (required); and (4) ability to lead large complex programs and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams. 
• Experience managing financial transactions on FCDO-funded programs preferred and familiarity with FCDO regulations and procedures. 
• Excellent financial management skills and knowledge of latest management tools and computer applications. 
• Ability to set priorities, multi-task. 
• Strong analytical and computer skills, with emphasis on budgeting and financial analysis. 
• Excellent organisational skills. 
• Proven written and oral presentation skills in English.