Operations Director at Samuel Hall

Job Profile

The Operations Director (OD) is the most senior staff person in Samuel Hall. As such the OD reports directly to the Directors and has the responsibility to ensure that all aspects of SH operations occur as required – ensuring that there is a continual improvement in how SH operates.

The primary tool through which this will be achieved is the Senior Management Team. Beyond other means of daily management of operations, the SMT provides the OD with the ability through engagement with the Directors, PLs, CRs and senior administrative staff to ensure that the goals and objectives of SH remain consistent with the Organisation’s Mission and reflect the very best of current organisational practice.

SH is undergoing expansion and as the OD position is newly established it will require adjustments to the situation. The OD will require to exercise flexibility of working hours as well as undertake significant travel to Samuel Hall offices and areas of operation.

Vacancy Requirements

Applicants will need to possess and demonstrate the following qualifications and transferable skills:

• Advanced university degree with a minimum of 4 years of higher education
• At least 10 years of experience in senior management positions
• Preferred background: working in areas of geographic operation (Afghanistan, Kenya, Central Asia/East Africa)
• Complete written and oral fluency in English; fluency in French desirable
• Strong organisation skills
• Excellent communications skills: verbal and written
• Proven leadership and team building abilities
• Strong decision making, action planning, and prioritisation skills
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• A successful track record in improving productivity, cost control, quality and service
• Strong computer and data analysis skills preferred
• Keen interest in Samuel Hall’s approach and agenda
• Ability to adapt and work well within a team
• Ability to cope well under pressure, work occasionally irregular hours and meet tight deadlines

Terms of Reference

Strategic Governance: With guidance from the Directors and through the SMT

• Maintains and ensures optimum delivery of the Global Comprehensive Planning Process (CPP)©
• Provides strategic level planning required to grow, consolidate and continually improve operational performance
• Provides leadership, advice and support to the Finance Manager, Operations Support Manager, Country Representatives and Pillar Leads
• Ensures policies and procedures are in place to enable the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of all SH activities
• Ensures adherence to SH, client, country and international standards, rules and regulations for all activities.
• Acts for the Directors in their absence.

Operational Management: Responsible for all resources required to implement SH Vision and Mission objectives.

• Country Offices
  • Directs and supports the Country Representatives (CR) providing strategic oversight of all HR activities to ensure that SH consistently operates in a manner that fully and proactively supports delivery of the CO CPP© and those of Research Proposal Teams (RPT)
• Support Services
  • Directs and supports the Finance Manager (FM) and administrative teams, providing strategic oversight of all HR, Finance, Administrative, and Logistical activities to ensure that SH operations function efficiently and effectively
• Security
  • Directs and supports CRs and RPTs to ensure the safety and security of SH operations and staff
  • Responsible for the effective implementation of any incident or crisis response
• Internal Communication and Reporting
  • Directs & supports internal critical information requirements (CIR) to the optimal functioning an on-occasion survival of staff and the organisation
  • Responsible for daily conversations with recorded main and action points available for all SMT to review with: The Operations Support Manager, the Finance Manager
  • Responsible for reviewing weekly meetings with recorded minutes (done by the minute taker) available for all SMT to review with: The Directors, the Pillar Leads, the Country Representatives
  • Attends all SMT meetings
  • Responsible for updating the Directors on a weekly basis (HR and finance weekly updates, and every month a Global update to be presented to Directors and SMT)
  • Responsible for data management, backups and updating of Project Database and internal coordination tools
• Procedures and SOPs
  • Responsible for the development and updating of all relevant procedures and SOPs.
  • Monitors implementation of procedures and SOPs and acts to eliminate obstacles.
  • Participates in Research Planning Teams (RPTs) and advises all RPTs on procedures, SOPs, HR administration and reporting. When deemed necessary, the OD will delegate RPT participation to the staff under his/her supervision.