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Operations Manager

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

Abt Global Britain seeks a qualified Operations Manager to support the anticipated FCDO-funded Congo Basin Forestry Action Programme (CBFAP). CBFAP is a seven-year program to support effective forest governance and markets reform; provide grassroots support to local communities; mobilize private sector finance for forests; and drive reform, ambition and cooperation. The Operations Manager is responsible for budgeting, financial management and reporting; oversight of procurement; administrative management of any sub-awards and vendor contracts; human resources management; and general administrative and operational support for programme activities. S/he will serve as a member of the project’s Senior Management Team to ensure that the project team has the administrative and financial support required to deliver on the programme description and approved workplans. The position is contingent upon the activity’s award and FCDO approval. This will be a full-time position based out of Kinshasa, DRC.

Core Responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following: 

Compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with FCDO and Abt Global policies, regulations and procedures governing the Contract Agreement

• Oversee the development of administrative and operations management systems and processes required to support project implementation, ensuring compliance with FCDO and Abt policies and regulations

• Conduct regular risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to address potential operational risks, including those related to logistics, procurement, and human resources

Operations Management 

• Manage the provision of operational support to project activities, ensuring that project senior management and programme staff have the support required to implement planned activities

• Manage implementation of financial, administrative, and human resources (HR) policies and procedures that meet project needs and corporate and client requirements

• Provide ongoing financial administration to project including approvals of purchase requisitions, local consultant agreements, vendor invoices, and the like

• Oversee procurement efforts for the project including selection and negotiation with vendors, and management of sub-partners on the project in compliance with FCDO and Abt Global procurement regulations

• Supervise institutional sub-agreements with assistance from the home office project team (Finance and Contract Manager, in particular)

• Guide the administrative team on aspects of project annual work planning, and ensure that quality operational plans, budgets, and reports are submitted as per contract agreements

• Develop and implement contingency plans to ensure operational continuity during crises or unexpected events

• Optimize supply chain management, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of resources while integrating sustainable procurement practices

    

Human Resources & Performance Management 

• Oversee all human resources management functions – recruitment, hiring, transition and termination; benefits administration; performance appraisal and ongoing performance management; leave tracking; rewards and recognition; disciplinary processes – in collaboration with the home office-based Finance and Contracts Manager and Abt’s human resources department

• Supervise all financial, administrative and operational project support staff

• Ensure that staff, team members and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities and comply with contract requirements, FCDO and Abt Global’s HR policies and procedures for hiring, performance reviews, terminations, etc. 

• Provide training to staff on project procedures and build skill-levels of project staff in the area of finance, administration, and project management

   

General Project Management 

• Contribute to monthly and quarterly reporting processes, to enable the Team Lead to provide regular status and progress reports to FCDO and Abt Global

• In collaboration with the Team Lead, coordinate with the home-based project management team to assure that all managerial and administrative matters are communicated, and actions comply with the provisions of the Cooperative Agreement and with FCDO

• Liaison with the home office-based Finance and Contracts Manager and International Accounting Manager on all operational and financial issues

What We Value

• A post-graduate degree in business administration, finance, accounting, management, or other relevant field

• At least seven years of professional work experience in the financial and administrative management of large complex development projects, preferably with FCDO or other donor funding and in social sector fields

• Supervisory and/or management work experience including: (1) direct supervision of professional and support staff; (2) quality evaluation of staff performance and deliverables; (3) contract/cooperative agreement management (required); and (4) ability to lead large complex programs and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams

• Experience managing financial transactions on FCDO-funded programs preferred and familiarity with FCDO regulations and procedures

• Excellent financial management skills and knowledge of latest management tools and computer applications

• Ability to set priorities, multi-task

• Strong analytical and computer skills, with emphasis on budgeting and financial analysis

• Excellent organisational skills

• Proven written and oral presentation skills in English and French

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/) . In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Global is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.

At Abt Global, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.