ALLRight Project

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:	Operations Manager, Projects Unit
Employer	National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC)
Supervisor	Head of Projects Unit
Town, Country	Yaoundé, Cameroon The position is open only to candidates of Cameroonian nationality
Number of position	01
Date of publication	15/06/2022
Expected start date	Immediate
Duration of Contract	3 months with possibility of renewal

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) in partnership with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is currently restructuring its operational systems in place to produce an improved and robust structure which can respond to donor exigencies in the development setting. The Advancing Local Leadership in the Right Way (ALLRight) approach is an important means for CRS’ Vision 2030 strategy to be achieved. CRS places a particular emphasis on accompanying local institutions in achieving their ambitions to be effective, dynamic, and sustainable catalysts for change for the people and communities they serve.

NECC currently has over 6 projects sponsored by several international donors. NECC in the past 3 years has been working as a transition partner for a USG funded project. NECC therefore seeks to recruit qualified candidates for the newly created Projects Unit whose mandate is to coordinate and harmonize the various projects in NECC.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of the Projects Unit of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, the Operations Manager will be responsible for supervising and coordinating the management of processes related to the administrative, logistical, financial, accounting and human resources affairs of CENC projects. He/she will ensure the consolidated reporting of operational and budgetary information related to the projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functional project management

• Accompanies the project leaders in representing the NECC to donors and others stakeholders of projects/programmes implemented by the NECC in the absence of the Secretary General and at his request.
• Ensures that the project or programme underway or under consideration is adequately staffed to meet the needs of the partners in accordance with the agreements made with NECC;
• Ensures that recruitment is carried out in accordance with the policy.
• Ensures that compensation policies and practices are administered in a way that supports internal equity, market competitiveness and policy compliance.
• Ensures the creation of a comfortable and safe working environment for all staff involved in a project.
• Ensures the integrity (accuracy, security) of information from project information systems.

Financial and material management of projects

•  Oversees the preparation of annual budget plans and grant/project budgets to ensure that they reflect maximum operational efficiency and budget compliance and mitigate risks.
•  Defines and provides technical oversight of internal expenditure approval, expenditure monitoring and budget adjustment processes in line with operational and programmatic needs and donor requirements.
• Engages the Finance Team in the development of proposals, ensuring collaboration with the programme department which guarantees optimal applications of proposal costs.
• Reviews programme budgets to ensure that they reflect overall project or programme priorities and expectations, mitigate risk and reflect maximum possible efficiency.
•  Consolidates accounting and financial data for all projects and services.
•  Reviews financial statements to ensure that inter-departmental coordination and the behaviour of the distribution department are such as to promote budget compliance and good cash management.
• Works with the General Bursar to take corrective action where necessary.
• Ensures proper management of NECC resources, as well as optimal use and maintenance of programme assets and resources, proper inventory controls (including monitoring of receipt and dispatch of stock as well as warehouse, fleet and asset management and disposal of assets).
• Ensures high quality reporting that allows proper tracking and monitoring of stocks and assets. Ensure that in-kind transactions are appropriately reflected in the financial statements in accordance with NECC policy.
• Ensures the integrity (accuracy, security) of supply chain information systems.

Security

• Identifies opportunities for capacity building of staff/partners in security analysis and management.
• Ensures that security briefings are provided to incoming staff, visitors, NECC senior management and other stakeholders as appropriate.

Compliance with donor and government agreements

• Conducts periodic audits of the conduct systems in all projects/programmes, departments and field coordination offices to ensure that they comply with NECC and donor standards, and to ensure responsive support to staff, programmes and partners.
• Identify weaknesses in the management system, set priorities, provide recommendations to improve system performance and ensure compliance.
• Oversees compliance with Cameroonian law in relation to NECC operations. Including donor country regulations as required by funding contracts.  
• Acts as the main contact and stakeholder for any issues that emerge from internal and external audits.
• Plans, organises, liaises, supervises and monitors the implementation of the corrective measures of the NECC audits and the audit of the sub-recipients.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• A Master's degree or equivalent in any field related to project management or a Master's degree in business administration or a relevant field with strong project management experience;
• At least 5 years' proven experience as a project manager
• Having worked in a structure of the Catholic Church (Episcopal Conference, Diocese) and primarily in a Caritas, CODAS-Caritas, Justice and Peace, etc. would be an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of various business functions and principles (supply chain, finance, human resources, accounting, compliance, administration, procurement.)
• In-depth knowledge of internal control.
• Demonstrable competence in strategic planning and business development
• Significant experience in NGO management
• Experience in fundraising is an asset
• Analytical skills to evaluate data and performance/operational measures
• Working knowledge of IT/business infrastructure and MS Office
• Exceptional organisational and leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and public speaking skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
•  Perfect command of English and French (speaking, reading and writing).
•  Proficiency in the use of IT tools, in particular SAGE, SAARI, TOMPRO and MS Office software (Word, Excel, etc.)

Personal skills

In line with the vision, mission and values of the NECC:

• Integrates
• Responsible and good manager
• Able to build good relationships
• Talented
• Open to continuous improvement and innovative
• Willing to work under pressure, in a faith-based environment with a reliable ability to dialogue and work effectively as a team with senior managers from local and international institutions.

 Languages required: Must be bilingual (English and French) and proficient in at least one of the two languages.

Rate of relocation required: 15% throughout the country.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal: Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, General Bursar, General Controller, Heads of Service, Project Coordinators, Heads of Episcopal Commissions.

• External: Traditional Catholic Church partners (Caritas Internationalis, CRS, Misereor, Aggiamondo, etc); NECC implementing partners; USAID; EU and other international donors; local government; auditors; banking and insurance institutions; service and supply providers.

NECC-wide competences (for all NECC staff):

These are rooted in the mission, the values of the NECC and the guiding principles and are used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. These are:

•  Trust in all relationships
•  Professional growth
• Partnership
• Responsibility
• Integrity
• Responsibility and management
• Strategic mindset

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, tasks and responsibilities associated with the position.

NECC's talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  NECC is an equal opportunity employer.

HOW TO APPLY

Files MUST include:

1.  Cover letter addressed to the Secretary General of NECC
2. CV with a list of at least 3 references, one of which should be a leader of a religious/faith community
3.  Evidence of relevant academic / professional qualifications
4.  Proof of professional experience.

You can apply by sending your applications to the following address: 

 Mentioning  « Operations Manager– NECC»

Deadline : 20/06/ 2022 at 5 P.M Cameroon time.

 Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

NB:  In applying for this job, the applicant must understand that NECC protects human life at all costs and will require the applicant to do the same if recruited. NECC also asks its staff to treat all persons with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

Successful candidates at this stage will be subject to a practical test and an oral interview. A full background check will be carried out on the successful candidate.