Location: Monrovia, LIBERIA

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: 5

Risk Level: ☐ Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.

Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions

into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future.

The Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps Liberia began Operations in 2002 in response to the humanitarian crisis brought about by the two Liberian civil wars that ended in 2003. Mercy Corps’ interventions have evolved based on the context and needs of the Liberian people. Mercy Corps anticipates expanding its operations into other counties, including Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Rivercess, River Gee, Margibi and Bong counties. Hence, the Operations Department will play an integral role in ensuring the functionality of support systems and processes for field teams and offices.

Operations Department provides key support to the entire country program in procurement, asset management, warehouse management, fleet management, and facilities & office management for successful program implementation.

General Position Summary

The Operations Manager is a key person within the country’s senior management team, who ensures the resources are planned and utilized towards effective program support. The Operations Manager plays a key role in the overall leadership of the country program under the guidance of the Country Director.

As a member of the senior management team at country level, the Operations Manager shares the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Mercy Corps country operation activities under the direct supervision of the Supply Chain Director.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage reliable and cost-effective operations and effective implementation of the strategies of Mercy Corps towards the right direction, including supervision of facilities & office management, information technology, procurement, asset management, fleet management and warehouse management.
• Supports the program team on timely provision of operations support at a higher level of standards.
• Ensures compliance with the requirements of Mercy Corps rules and regulations specified by the donors and sometimes host governments.
• Provides management information for decision-making as required.
• Supports developing budgets for operations activities of country programs as an integral part of program proposal development and country-level budgeting.
• Represents Mercy Corps as required in coordination with country management. The level of representation may vary depending on the country’s context (i.e. Local Logistics Cluster, NGO Working Groups, etc.)

Responsibilities of Operations Manager:

The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective management and implementation of operational policies, procedures, and resources, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations and alignment with organizational priorities.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, operational planning, resource management, process improvement, and policy implementation.

STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

Strategic oversight, direction and advice on all aspects of Mercy Corps operations management, aiming at the achievement of the following results:

• Successful contribution to the implementation of country operations strategies and establishment of management guidelines.
• Advice on operations strategies, policies and plans affecting operations, program deliverables and staffing.
• Analyze Mercy Corps’ operating environment in the country, adjust operations, and provide advice on contextual changes.
• Guide Mercy Corps operational strategies and activities.
• Successful implementation of operational strategies and direct establishment of management achievements with operations.
• Maintain regular control of the operations budget and identify any exceptions or possible implications of under/overspending in a timely manner.
• Promote continuous organizational learning culture with the empowerment of individuals and teams with the identification of learning needs. Create learning opportunities and ensure access to available learning resources.

IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Implementation of appropriate operations policies and procedures that comply with Mercy Corps policies and procedures and with donor rules and regulations, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of operations with Mercy Corps Global Supply Chain Operations policies, procedures and processes.
• Provide strategic, technical and managerial leadership in implementation of Global Supply Chain Operations policies in the country program.
• Ensure ongoing full compliance with Mercy Corps finance policies and procedures and others (i.e. Program Management Manual, National Staff Handbook, etc.)
• Act as focal point from operations for all internal and external audit matters in coordination with country management.
• Provide expert advice on Mercy Corps policies regarding resource management, tools, etc. Development of local policies and procedures with the support of country management and implementation of them.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Effective and efficient resource management in administration, procurement, logistics and IT with the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure effective management of administrative / logistics resources and reporting in a systematic, transparent and efficient manner to country management.
• Responsible for the provision of high-quality and timely procurement and other program support.
• Exercising oversight over procurement processes and logistics ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps procurement policies and procedures as well donor rules and regulations.
• Oversee provision of transport and travel support (international and domestic).
• Oversight on maintenance of proper custody of Mercy Corps assets, warehouse inventory and general inventory.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient, and lead team members as necessary.
• Work with all Mercy Corps staff to ensure smooth introduction and adoption of operational systems.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies established by country leadership.
• Serve as the Security Focal Point for Liberia Country Office.

Essential Responsibilities of the Security Focal Point

• Maintain Mercy Corps’ Global Minimum Security and Safety Standards, including security management planning, documentation, guidance and briefings, movement management (including approval processes and personnel tracking), incident reporting, office and workplace security. This also includes management objectives related to training, budgeting, and staffing.
• Conduct security risk assessments at national and local levels for different security risk contexts and use these periodic assessments to inform security management planning. Communicate relevant updates regarding the context, threats, or procedures to team members and document updates, as appropriate.
• Draft, update, contribute to, and/or implement the Security Management Plan. Each plan should include, at a minimum: risk assessment; contact details of the Risk Management Team; context analysis; Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); contingency plans; emergency medical plans and contacts; and instructions for incident reporting.
• Lead mandatory security incident reporting. Country offices are required to report and maintain records of security incidents. The Security Focal Point is responsible for maintaining this incident log and ensuring that individual security incidents are properly documented, enabling the Country Risk Management Team to ana lyze the immediate risk environment and allowing the organization to learn from incidents and improve its risk management approach. Critical incidents must be reported immediately to the Global Security Team.
• Coordinate security training and orientation, as well as visitor briefings and onboarding. The Security Focal Point is responsible for ensuring that team members are prepared for the risks and security environments they may encounter. This is achieved through contextual briefings and orientation on Mercy Corps procedures and planning. This is generally conducted before responsibilities begin, but in some cases, it may be conducted on site through training, briefings, and access to security plans. Updates, briefings, and training are provided periodically or in response to changes in the security situation.
• Identify and lead a Risk Management Team to support and guide the implementation of security management in the country. Chair Risk Management Team meetings and maintain a record of meeting minutes or notes.
• Oversee the annual Security Self-Audit with the Risk Management Team.
• Serve as the point of contact for the Global Senior Security Director and the Regional Security Advisor.
• For all security matters, the Country Security Focal Point (SFP) reports directly to the Country Director. Security Focal Points in local offices report directly to the Head of Office.

Supervisory Responsibility

All Liberia Operations (Procurement, Logistics, and Facilities & Office Management) staff.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Supply Chain Director

Works Directly With: Program Managers, Chief of Party, Finance Manager, P&C Manager, and Security Staff

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years senior management experience in a corporate or an INGO sector, including experience in operational support including developing strategies.
• Sound knowledge of administrative and logistics procedures is highly desired.
• Proven supervisory ability and/or technical skills combined with leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in a diversified multi-cultural and multi-ethnic working environment.
• Skills in managing, organizing, planning and implementing assigned tasks under pressure of frequent and tight schedules.
• Strong ability to apply good judgment and decision-making skills in difficult and complex working environments.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills in handling management and coordination issues at country program level.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

The successful Operations Manager will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. They will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The

most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Monrovia, Liberia and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are therefore encouraged to apply early, as the position may be closed before the final application deadline.