Uganda: Operations Manager

Operations Manager
Kampala, Uganda

Palladium develops and delivers solutions that create positive impact for communities, businesses, societies and economies. We transform lives and create enduring value by working with governments, corporations and non-profit organisations. Palladium is built on the idea that progress will be supported by four key pillars:

• International Development


• Strategy Execution Consulting


• Impact Investment


• Training and Events

We create positive impact through more than 100 current projects with more than 2000 employees operating in over 90 countries.

Background

NU-TEC MD is a five year DFID funded programme that aims to increase the incomes and climate resilience of poor men and women in northern Uganda (NU) by (a) stimulating sustainable, pro-poor growth interventions in selected agricultural markets and (b) improving the position of poor men and women within these market systems, to make them more inclusive for poor people. Palladium manages the programme on behalf of DFID.

Primary Responsibilities

• Be responsible for all financial, operational, logistical, procurement, human resources, IT, and accounting processes to the programme;


• Participate in the development and maintenance of project work plans;


• Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of project specific components of the project operations manual;


• Ensure project issues and risks are logged, monitored, reported on, managed and mitigated, and escalate risks and issues to corporate/project leadership, as required;


• In collaboration with Internal Audit/Systems Review and Corporate Operations, conduct periodic compliance checks on processes and internal controls;


• Maintain and build upon a project and risk management portfolio.


• Liaise with and respond to requests from clients;


• Provide regular or ad hoc reports to the clients;


• Support project advocacy with internal and external stakeholders;


• Manage and support contract amendments as required.


• Support the external audit process and ensure retention of project records is compliant with company policy;


• Ensure financial processes and procedures are implemented in accord with Palladium and DFID requirements;


• In collaboration with Security, ensure safety and security procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements, are in place and adhered to;


• In collaboration with management, ensure staff performance management systems are in place and adhered to;


• Maintain project data on relevant HR systems for short-term and long-term staff and consultants;


• Prepare procurement documents and manage the procurement process for goods and services required to support effective field operations.


• Serve as a main point of contact with service providers and address contractual matters as required;


• Support development of project subcontractor / grant management procedures compliant with the company?s SOPs and Guidelines and client?s rules and regulations;


• Facilitate field office leases;


• Monitor and ensure quality of field procurement; ensuring compliance with company anti-corruptions and due diligence processes;


• Coordinate the processing of service provider work orders and invoices;


• Monitor and report monthly on the status of partner budgets/invoicing and grants;


• Ensure asset management procedures are undertaken and conduct spot checks;


• Lead, guide, mentor and manage the performance of 4 x direct reports and ensure appropriate leadership, guidance, mentorship and management of other staff.

Essential Education and Experience Required:

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree (with a Master?s degree preferred);


• A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience.


• A minimum of 3 years project management experience with DFID, DFAT, USAID or other donor client(s);


• Experience managing large and complex projects with a high risk profile;


• A minimum of 2 years of people management experience, including setting performance objectives, managing for results, giving and receiving feedback, performance evaluation and mentoring and coaching;


• English language skills.


• A minimum of 2 years of work experience in a developing country or similar environment (east Africa experience strongly preferred).


• Experience in inclusive development, including gender issues within an understanding of market systems development.

Key Competencies Required:

• Formal Project Management training and expertise;


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;


• Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports;


• Sound problem solving and decision making skills;


• Strong management skills with ability to train and develop staff;


• Willingness to travel throughout Uganda, particularly NU;


• Ability to work with a low level of supervision and as a part of a team when required.