Grant and Operation Manager, Somali Dialogue Platform at Rift Valley Institute (RVI)

Summary

The Somali Dialogue Platform (the 'Platform') is a multi-year programme funded by the FCDO, USAID, BUILD and MFA Denmark. The Platform provides a neutral space for dialogue on contentious issues in Somalia’s political settlement, such as designing and implementing elections or clarifying the federal settlement. The overall goal of the Platform is to ensure a 'high-level and sufficiently inclusive range of political stakeholders regularly and constructively negotiate and seek solutions on contentious political settlement issues in trusted, Somali-owned dialogue spaces'.

The Rift Valley Institute is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic person to manage the Platform’s operations and financial management. The Grant and Operations Manager has overall responsibility for ensuring robust management of finances, risks, compliance, procurement, travel and logistics, and security. S/he will work closely with the Platform’s Team Leader, technical leads and RVI Finance and Operations to ensure the programme is empowered to deliver the work and achieve its key objectives through effective programme management.

General

Title: Grant and Operation Manager, Somali Dialogue Platform

Location: Nairobi or Mogadishu, with frequent travel

Reporting to: Team Leader, Somali Dialogue Platform

Salary range: $45,300-$53,467, depending on experience. Other benefits include 28 days annual paid, health insurance, pension plan, travel allowance, and flexible working hours (subject to negotiation). All programmatic roles are subject to renewal depending on available funding.

Application deadline: 27 November

Start date: As soon as possible

Description of Duties

Programme financial management and procurement and compliance

• Working with the Engagement and Research Leads, and RVI Finance and Operations, coordinate programme budgeting, expenditure, management and forecasting.
• Oversee all programme procurement and contracting processes ensuring adherence to RVI internal policies and compliance with donor regulations
• Manage donor contracting and compliance
• Support partners, consultants and service-providers to submit expense reports
• Support the RVI Finance and Operations team to produce financial reports
• Support RVI Finance and Operations in tracking payments and reconciling advances
• Review and track the programme’s key VFM indicators
• Maintain a list of the Platform’s current and prospective consultants
• Maintain the Platform’s asset register
• Support RVI staff with audits

Operations and logistics

• Oversee the programme’s travel, ensuring adherence to RVI travel policies, including, flights, ground transport and accommodation
• Establish and maintain a list of pre-qualified suppliers
• Manage logistics for Platform events, including event security

Risk management

• Develop and implement RVI’s risk-management methodology, including monthly and quarterly reviews of the Platform’s risk register, and procedures for rapid mitigation.
• Maintain a risk mapping of the programme’s delivery chain, including an analysis of all downstream partners and service provider

Security

• Act as the focal point for programme security, ensuring adherence to RVI’s security procedures, and coordinating with the programme’s security advisor
• Advise on the security aspects of programme activities, minimising risk to staff, consultants, partners, and beneficiaries  
• Provide analysis on changing security context to advise staff and consultants and to support programme decisions-making

Requirements

• Relevant postgraduate degree in Business Administration, Development Studies or similar;
• Extensive experience in programme financial management, including budget management, analysis forecasting and reporting
• Accounting qualification highly desirable
• Over five years experience in programme management and administration in fragile contexts, including Somalia
• Demonstrable commitment to the Platform’s core vision and principles
• Track-record in ensuring compliance in programme management with institutional donors, especially FCDO (DFID) and USAID
• Extensive experience in managing programme procurement
• Familiarity with VFM concepts and ability to ensure implementation
• Ability to manage programme travel with multiple and simultaneous movements across Somalia
• Experience in implementing programme risk management and mitigation strategies
• Existing network and knowledge of security, transport and accommodation suppliers in Somalia
• Track -record in managing programme security
• Fluency in English; Fluency in Somali desirable