Operations Manager

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable childrens life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local – Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

LOCATION

Yerevan, Armenia

DURATION

One-year full-time, fixed-term contract with possible extension

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The purpose of this position is to provide leadership on strategy, program design, implementation and quality assurance, resource acquisition, partnerships and advocacy. The position will be responsible to enhance external World Vision Armenia (WVA) brand and reputation for purposes of influence and income. Provide overall leadership to all programs implementation in the country irrelevant of the funding source. Manage the development and implementation of existing and new programming.

Under the direction of the WVA Program Director and in collaboration with the MEERO Resource Development Unit (RDU), this position will provide leadership in developing strategy for resource diversification, enhance capacity and position WVA for acquiring & managing bi & multi-lateral grants and private funds and meeting donor and WV accountability standards.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and program development

• Support Program Director in leading the transition strategy process, ministry funding, evidence of impact, advocacy and partnerships development,
• Lead macro assessment processes and contribute to the landscaping of the National Strategy. Based on evidence of impact in the field, regularly conduct analysis and provide recommendations affecting the current status as well as progress towards achieving strategic objectives,
• Lead implementation of strategic WV Global Centre initiatives and compliance with WV standards and policies,
• Ensure strategic linkage, integration and synergy within Program and Partnerships Development team and across WV Armenia business units for better alignment, strategic fundraising and collaboration on strategic opportunities,
• Manage risks related to external engagement work in Armenia (communications, resource mobilization and partnerships),
• Contribute to the development of the offices annual business plan,
• Develop and execute the strategy, external engagement and resource development budget,
• Act as member of Senior Management Team (SLT).

Resource acquisition

• Develop Grant Forecasting Plans and Annual Growth Plan in line with the National strategy in collaboration with the RDU in the MEERO and Integrated/ Operations Programs team,
• Develop the donor framework for each donor segment private or institutional,
• Lead the grant acquisition team: provide leadership support in donor prepositioning, liaising with WV Support Offices and donors, clarifying proposal requirements, development and finalization of project proposals,
• Coordinate with MEERO RDU for grant lessons learned. Ensure learning is documented for improving WVs grants standards, and donor liaisons as well as during potential Cross Border and Multi-Country applications,
• Lead the development and roll-out of the Grants Acquisition Business Plan in line with WV Armenia Transition Strategy,
• Lead the active pursuit of new program funding opportunities for WV Armenia in line with the Transition Strategy and Ministry focus,
• Support the WV Armenia SLT to assess the organizational overall capacity to pursue specific grant opportunities, absorb and implement grants. Make final recommendation on Go/No-Go to the WV Armenia Program Director,
• Lead Grants Acquisition income and performance target setting,
• Upon request, liaise with audit and respective functional teams so that external audits are planned as per donor request and identified issues raised are resolved swiftly and appropriately,
• Lead process of mapping strategic donors in line with WV Armenia strategic directions and develop relations,
• Ensure networking and participation to donor relevant cluster meetings at regional level,
• Liaise with Support Offices (SOs) and sub-regional hubs during negotiations and preparation of joint project applications.

Advocacy, partnerships and representation

• Ensure appropriate representation of WV Armenia at strategic fora that could lead to influence, resource acquisition and enhanced programming collaboration,
• Support Program Director in maintaining relationships with key private and institutional donors and partners in line with WVs policies, standards and values and behavior,
• In collaboration with the Operations Department lead stakeholders mapping for WV Armenia partnership opportunities and assess their capacities for collaboration on specific issues,
• Lead the integration of advocacy and partnering in the national strategy and across programming based on an updated context analysis and internal and external assessments,
• Develop and monitor the achievement of strategic advocacy and partnering objectives,
• Provide leadership to the Communications team in the development of effective external and media engagement that builds on evidences of impact and stories of success from the field,
• Ensure that WVA brand is visible and well recognised by external stakeholders and the public,
• Provide leadership and manage implementation of national level campaigns,
• Ensure support is provided to Program Director to undertake high level external engagement,
• Maintain regular contact with other international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government officials working to serve as a network for obtaining and coordinating information regarding current and future work in the country.

Transition Program Development and Management of Grant and Project Managers

• Manage the team of Grants and Projects Managers, individuals and teams, in setting goals, measuring performance, developing capacity and recognizing results,
• Provide management and support to all Program Managers, including regular site visits, identification of staff training needs and promotion of learning environment. Work with the People & Culture Department on capacity building opportunities and succession planning for staff,
• Follow closely the projects semi-annual monitoring reports, discuss them with the team and follow up with the recommendations,
• Manage and support the Projects Managers to review and evaluate budgeted and actual expenditures for Projects on regular basis. Follow-up with the variance explanation reports required on semi-annual basis by finance department,
• Ensure program issues and risks are managed and controlled in timely manner,
• Duly conduct performance planning and evaluation of direct reports.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree or the equivalent,
• Minimum 5 years experience in a managerial position,
• Proven track record in implementing and managing major multi-sectorial development programs,
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and Armenian, good working knowledge of Russian is a plus,
• Excellent analytical and writing (English) skills, intercultural communication,
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT and DB Software,
• Excellent interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills,
• Ability to build and maintain strong team ethics between many managers in fast paced, high pressure complex environment,
• Active listening and strong facilitation skills,
• Being creative and able to embrace and coordinate innovative thinking, partnership building and problem solving skills,
• Being innovative and risk taker,
• Good understanding of the cultural, political, social and economic situation in Armenia and in the region,
• Good understanding of program audit protocols and how to operationalize them innovative and risk-taker,
• Ability to ensure program issues and risks are managed and controlled in timely way,
• Ability to review financial reports to ensure accountability and compliance with the budget,
• Experience in development work using approach of facilitation and empowerment of local communities,
• High sense of responsibility and attention to detail.
• Being motivated and goal orientated,
• Proven track record of coaching and capacity building,
• Ability to work both autonomously and in a team,
• Sound planning, time management and administrative skills,
• Ability to work under pressure, in a team, and for long hours, if required,
• Deep understanding of development philosophy, commitment to community empowerment process and strong bias towards child centered development,
• Knowledge of the evidence-building cycle, strategy and program design and management cycle design, monitoring and evaluation, and business development,
• Cross cultural sensitivity and thorough understanding of the local context, cultural and political situation,
• Knowledge of several donor regulations,
• Strong interest and understanding of issues related to poverty, civil society, health, child & youth development and humanitarian and emergency affairs,
• Full commitment to World Visions core values and mission statement,
• Full adherence to World Vision Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies,
• Full adherence to security protocols,
• Demonstrated knowledge of World Vision Partnership and WV policies and procedures,
• At least 5 years field experience in a developing country, experience outside of Armenia is an advantage.

Applicant Types Accepted: