Uganda: Director of Operations

University Research Co., LLC (URC)

URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).

Division & Project Overview:

The USAID Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project is a new project dedicated to improving health, population and nutrition services through technical support to service delivery institutions, country Ministries of Health, USAID country missions, and cooperating agencies. The new project carries on the work of the USAID Health Care Improvement Project (http://www.hciproject.org) in global advocacy, development, and promotion of cost-effective methods to design and improve health care services and systems in low- and middle-income countries.

An important global objective of the ASSIST Project is knowledge management: to facilitate documentation and sharing of evidence for improvement of specific care processes, based on the work of individual QI teams, large-scale improvement efforts, and/or research, and to make this information readily available through Web technology.

The ASSIST Project is managed by URC’s Quality and Performance Institute (QPI). Through QPI, URC has implemented quality improvement and operations research programs in health care since 1981 and continues to be at the cutting edge of health care improvement work in countries around the world.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Directly reporting to the chief of party, the Director Operations is responsible for leading, supervising and managing URC ASSIST Administrative team, towards effectively supporting the Programs technical operations in Uganda.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Directly supervise the administrative team and ensure that the team efficiently and effectively supports the technical program.

· Supervise, give guidance and manage performance of administrative staff to ensure desirable results and conduct periodic appraisals.

· Oversee payroll and HR procedures for USAID ASSIST Country office staff.

· Plan and implement systems for financial operations in cooperation with the Chief of Party in accordance with the URC’s Field Operations Manual and donor regulations, including systems for cash flow management, budgeting, consolidation of accounting information, internal controls, financial reporting, and financial record-keeping.

· Develop and maintain local office financial policies and procedures in cooperation with the Chief of Party.

· Develop financial and management reporting framework for the project where necessary, in collaboration with the Chief of Party.

· Ensure financial and administrative compliance with USAID rules and regulations.

· Oversee banking relations and monitor country cash flow requirements to ensure the smooth implementation of URC programs

· Oversee preparation and development of budgets with the Chief of Party and URC Headquarters and forecasting systems with project technical advisors.

· Review routine financial reports, including expenditures, account reconciliation, and other financial information, in a timely and accurate manner.

· Oversee contractual negotiations and agreements with local consultants, vendors and service providers.

· Work closely with the Procurement Specialist to manage logistics, procurement, and inventories for the project

· Perform internal audits and reviews, as required, to ensure compliance with URC standards, donor requirements, and internationally accepted accounting practices.

· Stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations; compile and update applicable local policies; and train URC’s program staff in these policies.

· Responsible for overseeing the project inventory management, transport, human resource, security, stores, procurement, IT, communications and other operations functions.

· Working closely with COP to ensure efficient functioning of administrative and logistics processes and maintaining adequate internal control.

· Communicating with HQ on operations matters on a regular basis. This includes, working with the project coordinator, contracts department and other departments on the review and timely approval of various procurement documentation.

· Contributing to ongoing URC administrative process improvements, representing the Uganda office in policy development while implementing company policies.

· Maintain contact with USAID, key counterparts, and other stakeholders as delegated by the Chief of Party.

· Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Experience & Qualifications

· Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or other relevant field. CPA or equivalent preferred.

· Ten (10) years’ experience in administrative and financial management of large international projects including experience in management of USG funded projects.

· Knowledge and experience working with USAID and other major donors is required. Demonstrated experience and skill with large budget preparation and analysis, financial reporting, preparation, and presentation, and the proven ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports.

· Strong analytical, oral and written communication skills.

· Excellent past performance references (contacts should be provided at time of application).

Desired Experience & Qualifications

· Experience with QuickBooks accounting software highly preferred.

Please note: Only candidates who are eligible to work in the Uganda for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.

To Apply:

For immediate consideration, applicants who meet the requirements should send an Application Letter, CV, and relevant academic documents as well as names and contact information for 3 professional references and day time contact numbers to The Human Resource Officer - USAID ASSIST Project, University Research Co., LLC, Plot 40, Ntinda II Road, Naguru, P.O. Box 28745, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail:assistugandarecruitment@urc-chs.com by 15th September 2014.

For more information, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at www.urc-chs.com/careers.

You must upload your CV/Résumé and your Cover Letter where indicated.Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.

Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest.

URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We value and seek diversity in our workforce.