Operations Director Africa Service Center

Summary Description

Serving as the ASC Management Team member, the ASC Operations Director oversees all the tactical operations at the ASC office, including security and safety, IS, supply and local logistics. They will collaborate with the relevant Directors and other staff at the ASC, ISC, and ships to deliver the work and ensure the operational goals are met. The jobholder will oversee the pool of liaisons.

The ASC Operations Director will be expected to work from Senegal throughout the time on the role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Operational local Planning and Execution

• Develops and maintains relationships with key suppliers needed to effective manage the ASC office.
• The role holder will assist the ASC Director in setting up the ASC office in Senegal.
• Sets up and manages processes for effective oversight of ASC office inventory, stores, supplies, etc.
• The ASC Operations Director manages via the ASC Quality and Training Facilitator the creation and updating of policies, procedures and manuals in the field of country engagement and makes sure that training on those takes place.
• The ASC Operations Director audits in cooperations with the CET Operations Directors that the standardized policies and procedures are implemented in the different CET countries and that the provided general software, (as SalesForce, Certify, …) is properly used.
• Oversees IS systems for all functions at the ASC office.
• Implements with the Field Security Officer, security and safety procedures for the ASC office.
• Provides leadership and direction on ASC office set up, management and maintenance, including assisting the ASC Managing Director in identifying, selecting, and negotiating office space, assisting with office layout planning and office moves.
• In collaboration with the Executive Assistant and other ASC officials, organize functions as directed by the ASC Managing Director.
• Manage ASC internal communication, flow of news, and information needed at the ASC and in country Operations as directed by the ASC Managing Director.
• Oversees and manages that supplies for new staff and new Countries Engagement Teams are provided.

Quality Assurance

• Manages the ASC Quality and Training Facilitator in creating and developing CET policies, procedures, manuals, and checklists.
• Collaborates with other departments ensuring that policies and procedures fit with the realities and countries we serve.
• Support the CET Operations Directors in implementing the generic Mercy Ships approved policies, procedures, manuals and software.

Liaisons

• Provide leadership and logistical support to a team of “liaisons” that moves between countries to prepare for the arrival of a Mercy Ships vessel to a host nation.
• Oversee the professional development needs, in partnerships with P&C, for all the liaisons.
• Plan and coordinate liaisons’ schedules and their movement throughout Africa in collaboration with CDs.
• Working with P&C and CDs on hiring processes, ensure that CDs have a complete team of liaisons to successfully prepare for ship arrival.
• Oversee and guide liaisons’ tasks when they are on remote assignment, ensuring that they have sufficient, meaningful work.

Miscellaneous

• Serves as ASC Managing Director when requested.
• Participate in the budgeting process for operational and capital purchases etc.
• Cultivate a collaborative relationship with all directors at the ASC, ISC, and ships.
• Adhere to all P&C, Finance, and country Protocol Agreement procedures.
• Ensures that invoices and bills are created and paid timeously.
• Ensures that the ASC office follows up on in-country regulations for the legal status, accommodations, vehicle etc.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Requirements)

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Supportive of Mercy Ships mission and vision and committed to its core values.
• Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity, and demonstrate accountability.
• Strong Christian commitment as evidenced by life and character.
• Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity, and demonstrate accountability.
• A marked understanding of SOPs related to safety, security, IS, supply, procurement, logistics, and project management.
• Shows excellent organizational, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Must be fluent in English and French and possess excellent oral and written communication skills in both languages.
• Experience with Quality Assurance.
• International Driver’s License required (Purchase prior to travel if necessary).
• Proven business/non-profit management operations and administration knowledge.
• Has excellent cross – cultural communication abilities.
• Able to make sound decisions in difficult, complex, and ambiguous situations.
• Excellent people and networking skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent planning, team coordination, organizational, administrative and time management skills.
• Possesses excellent prioritization skills, initiative, good judgment, attention to details and the ability to analyze and solve problems.

Education and Experience

The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

• Master’s level degree in related discipline (e.g., Business/Operations Management) and at least 3 years in leadership role in an NGO working in Africa [OR] Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline with at least 5 years working in leadership/management role in an NGO working in Africa.
• Career track record of high performance; evidenced by increasing levels of responsibility serving in complex, multi-function organizations, with demonstrated success in achieving growth and positive change.
• Experience of leading and managing an in a multi-cultural, international non-governmental organization working in LMICs.
• Successful completion of Mercy Ships Entry Training will be required within the first year.
• Progressive management and administrative experience in a multi-cultural, international setting, preferably Mercy Ships.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and team coordination, scheduling, organizing and communication software.
• Training in Quality Assurance is recommended.
• Must be fluent in written and spoken English and French (International C2 level or equivalent).