Department: Oscar Romero School for the Deaf

Responsible to: Country Director

Location: Tubmanburg, Bomi County – (National Only)

Contract length: 2 years

Our vision

Our vision is that ORS becomes a model of collaboration between deaf and hearing people who live, work and learn together to share skills, knowledge and experiences that can develop their full potential for the benefit of society.

Our mission

Our mission is to expand access to equal opportunities for the deaf through provision of an appropriate, meaningful and relevant education and removing barriers that prevent the deaf from full participation in the society.

Our values

Justice & Equality; Inclusion & Empowerment; Quality & Collaboration

Job purpose

The General Manager is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic plan for the Oscar Romero School for the deaf (ORS). Reporting to the Country Director, the General Manager will shape the vision and strategy of the school, ensuring it provides a high quality elementary education, whilst supporting students to continue their education after graduating from ORS in the mainstream education sector and take up and maintain their social and economic place in Liberian society. Responsible for line managing a team of academic teaching staff, care workers, peripatetic and vocational support staff, and will provide overall leadership to direct reports in supervising the education and well-being of all students in Oscar Romero School.

Key activities

• Strategic Direction

• Implement the Oscar Romero School Strategic Plan
• Establish and ensure progression options for children throughout their time at Oscar Romero School, to support them to re-establish and take up and maintain their social and economic place in Liberian society

• School leadership

• Supervise all functional aspects of Oscar Romero School within agreed policies and budgets
• Develop and lead on the delivery of annual plans and budgets for the school
• Manage instructional and care staff to ensure that educational outcomes and care standards are maintained at the highest levels as set out by government departments and to international standards
• Provide written monthly reports, and as required, to the Country Director informing of any risks to the students or the campus facilities and to assist in resolving these issues in a timely manner
• Ensure that Student’s Psycho-Social Well Being is upheld at all times, including ensuring that healthy activities and sporting activities are undertaken by members of staff
• Work closely with the School Principal and other staff members to ensure that a varied programme of activities on the school campus is available to students in the afternoon and weekends
• Participate in forums with other providers of services to the deaf in Liberia
• Develop the participation and engagement of parents in the community, school and with their children’s education

• Financial Management

• • Ensure the overall financial management of ORS meets the highest standards
  • Lead the management of ORS budget, cash flow, payables, and receivables including management of donations
  • Ensure effective and consistent implementation of financial and accounting policies and procedures
  • Develop and implement best practice finance and administrative systems, in consultation with the Mary’s Meals Liberia Finance team
  • Ensure that all monthly reports are produced accurately and timeously
  • Ensure that the year-end accounts are finalized and the statement of accounts is prepared
  • Assist MML as needed with the annual audit process as related to ORS
  • Review and submit routine management and donor reports

• Oversee the management of the fixed asset register for ORS

• Ensure preparation of ORS annual budget and periodic forecasts in consultation with the Country Director and the Mary’s Meals Liberia finance team
• Provide timely information and commentary relevant to ORS to support the monthly budget/forecast vs actual monitoring process

• Logistics, Procurement, Stock Management, Property Management, and Transport

• Lead the procurement for ORS for food and non-food items ensuring adherence to MML procurement policies and procedures
• Oversee safe and secure storage of all food and non-food supplies and inventory management for these items
• Oversee asset management for ORS in collaboration with MML
• Plan and oversee staff movements in collaboration with MML Logistics
• If ORS should acquire its own vehicle (s), directly manage the driver(s) and develop ORS transport policy and procedures in line with that of MML; always ensure compliance to national road safety regulations
• Oversee ORS property management in collaboration with MML, including construction works and ORS grounds, garden, buildings, perimeter fencing repairs and maintenance
• For the safety of ORS students and staff maintain a clean and sanitary environment by ensuring safe waste disposal, brushing of yard, periodic fumigations of compound and continuous access to water and electricity
• Adhere to Mary’s Meals IT standards and policies working in close collaboration with MML IT department

• Administration

• Ensure policies and procedures for ORS administration are in place and adopted
• Ensure timely updates for all necessary GOL registrations for ORS
• Ensure adherence to all GOL procedures related to staff and properties—payments of taxes, social security and qualifications of teaching staff, adherence to Liberia Labour Law

• Safeguarding

• Ensure robust safeguarding and health and safety policies and procedures are in place and are strictly adhered to
• Ensure that the safety of children in the care of ORS is a number one priority at all times by promoting a culture of Safeguarding and protection.
• Act as an escalation point for any safeguarding concerns and ensure that the appropriate reporting procedures are adhered to in order to allow for uncompromised investigations to be carried out.

• Human Resources

• Ensure that staff supervision and appraisals are carried out in line with Mary’s Meals policies
• Facilitate the meeting of identified staff training needs
• In collaboration with the Principal, initiate and carry through staff disciplinary procedures in conjunction with HR
• Implement staff recruitment as confirmed by the annual budget

• External Representation

• Ensure the maintenance of excellent relations with all of ORS partners, supporters and visitors.
• Network with other stakeholders in Liberia who can support the school’s activities

• Other

• Contribute to the establishment of a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with appropriate legislation and regulations
• Create a culture of collaboration and continuous learning where staff are supported and encouraged to grow and develop and are held accountable for their actions
• Any other duties commensurate with the role

How to apply for this role

To apply, please send your CV (maximum 3 pages) with details of three professional references (emails and cell numbers) and a cover letter explaining why you are interested:Click the apply button below to apply via the system.

Your covering letter should make a compelling case for why you feel motivated to work for Mary’s Meals Liberia in this role, as well as giving a concise overview of your most relevant skills and experience and should fill no more than two pages of A4.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding children you will be required to provide an up-to-date Police Clearance of good conduct (Liberian nationals) Closing date: 11th March 2021 at 5pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be communicated to for Interviews.

While Mary’s Meals Liberia will endeavour to contact all candidates within a reasonable time, this may not always be possible due to limited resources. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you can assume that your application has, on this occasion, been unsuccessful. Mary’s Meals Liberia is an equal opportunities employer.

All applicants will be judged strictly on the basis of merit.

Please note: A second interview stage may be required.

Mary’s Meals is a child friendly organisation committed to the protection of children.

Mary’s Meals is an equal opportunities employer, all who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply.