Catholic Relief Services – USCCB
LIBERIA PROGRAM
JOB VACANCY
Job Title: Operations Manager
Report to: Country Representative
Dotted Line: DRD MQ
Grade: 9
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the
poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We
welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our
values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Job Summary:
The Operations Manager’s (OM) primary function is to provide leadership and oversight of the country
program’s operational support departments including Human Resources, Information and
Communication Technology, Procurement, Security, and other Administration. Compliance and
Partnership are themes. The OM ensures that programs are supported to effectively meet articulated
needs, manage risk, and increase efficiency. The OM ensures that the office has corresponding systems
in place and that applicable CRS and donor policies are consistently applied. The OM leads and oversees
activities to strengthen the capacities of partners in these same functions. The OM is a member of the
senior management team and plays a key role in all senior management decisions and initiatives.
Responsibilities:
Leadership:
1. As a member of the Country Program’s senior management team, work with senior colleagues
to coordinate efforts with the aim of best serving program participants.
2. Incorporate Operations issues into country strategic planning process. Assess and advocate for
needed investments in Operations capacity.
3. Attend relevant interagency, sector coordination, and representational meetings as required.
Network with equivalent staff in colleague organizations.
4. Work with technical leads to improve Operations capacity, including systems and staffing.
Functional Management to Increase Effectiveness:
(Inclusion of all functional areas here is fundamental to the position.)
Human Resource:
1. Acts in the capacity of HR Manager in strategic management of human resources, including
talent mapping, succession planning and career development. Communicate Country Program
priorities and guide HR activities to ensure alignment of efforts.
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2. Ensure that the program is adequately staffed to meet the needs of the Agency per the direction
of the Country Representative. Ensure that recruitments are conducted as per policy.
3. Ensure compensation policies and practices are administered to support internal equity, market
competitiveness and policy adherence.
4. Ensure implementation and continuation of performance management system.
5. Ensure the creation of an environment of care and comfort for all staff.
6. Ensure the integrity (accuracy, security) of information from HR information systems (e.g. NED) .
Information and Communication Technology:
1. Supervise the IT Officer in the strategic management of ICT resources. Communicate Country
Program priorities and guide him/her to ensure alignment of efforts.
2. Apply ICT-enabled change management principles and act as a sponsor for and supporter of
change agents. Promote adoption of standardized systems by all staff.
3. Where Country Program’s engage in ICT4D and other location-specific development projects,
ensure the application of GKIM policies, and project management and ICT system planning and
implementation principles.
4. Ensure the application of ICT system operation, maintenance, and support principles. Ensure
adherence to GKIM standards and protocols related to IT systems. Support management of
service requests by facilitating integration with the Global Help Desk.
5. Ensure the application of unique principles of managing ICT vendors.
Procurement:
1. Supervise the Procurement Officer in the strategic management of material resources.
Communicate CP priorities and guide him/her to ensure alignment of efforts.
2. Ensure efficiency and compliance in local and international procurement.
3. Ensure that vendor lists are regularly updated
4. Ensure that due diligence is conducted all new businesses before CRS transacts with them
Administration / Fleet / Security:
1. Supervise the Administration Officer. Communicate Country Program priorities and guide
him/her to ensure alignment of efforts.
2. Ensure that the office repairs are managed in conformity with CRS facility management policies.
3. Ensure that transportation services other than fleet management are appropriate to need and
delivered in conformity with CRS policies.
4. Ensure that risk mitigation strategies including insurance are undertaken. Lead preparation of
agency risk reporting.
5. Ensure proper stewardship of CRS resources, and the optimal utilization and maintenance of
program assets and resources including proper inventory controls (includes oversight of
inventory receiving and shipping as well as warehouse, fleet and asset management and the
disposition of assets).
6. Regularly review the country security protocols / updating of visitor’s briefing manual
7. Ensure that airport shuttles are arranged (pick and drop) staffs timely as required
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8. Ensure high quality reporting that allows for proper tracing and tracking of inventory and assets.
Ensure that in-kind transactions are reflected appropriately in financial statements according to
CRS policy.
9. Ensure vehicles / motorcycles are maintained and managed in accordance with CRS policies
Relationship Management to Build Capacity and ensure Compliance
Donor and Government Compliance:
1. Perform periodic conduct systems checks in all support departments to ensure that CRS is in
compliance with CRS and donor standards, and to ensure responsive support to staff,
programs, and partners.
2. Identify management system weaknesses, establish priorities, provide recommendations for
improved systems performance and ensure compliance.
3. Oversee compliance with US Law as it pertains to CRS’ operations. This includes the Patriot Act,
U.S. export licensing regulations under OFAC and Commerce programs in coordination with HQ
Office of General Counsel.
4. Oversee compliance with local laws. Ensure that legal commitments are made in accordance
with local law and US law where applicable. Manage responsibilities that go with an
international presence, including country agreements and visa and registration requirements.
Identify and work with local counsel.
5. Act as lead contact for and lead responder to any issues that emerge from internal and external
audits.
6. Plan, organize, liaise, oversee, and monitor CAP implementation for A-133 and other audits of
sub recipients.
Partner Capacity Building:
1. Lead relevant CRS staff to help partners identify and resolve management quality issues, and to
continually improve quality.
2. Provide timely, efficient, appropriate technical assistance to staff and partners in management
issues.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill
his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
Serves with Integrity
Models Stewardship
Cultivates Constructive Relationships
Promotes Learning
Operations Manager Competencies
Promotes Stewardship of Resources
Ensures Principled compliance
Proactively Manages Risk
Leads Operational Improvements
Supervisory: IT staff, HR, Procurement Officer, Administration Officer (including Fleet/Security).
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Key Working Relationships:
Internal:
The Country Representative, Head of Programming, Department Managers, Project Managers and
Program Managers, Regional Office (particularly the DRD-MQ); HQ- MPI, HQ Human Resources, HQ
Finance, HQ GKIM, OGC, HQ Internal Audit
External:
Heads of Caritas Internationalis representatives; Church partners; CRS implementing partners;
operational partners and colleague organizations; USAID Mission; Center for Disease Control, EU, and
other international donors; Local Government; auditors; banking and insurance Institutions; service
providers.
Qualifications:
A. Master’s in business administration, finance, accounting, human resources, or other relevant field.
B. Minimum five years of work experience in a management of non-profit, development, and/or
humanitarian organization.
C. Experience managing large, complex U.S. government awards; knowledge of relevant regulations.
D. Knowledge of procurement and general office administration/management issues.
E. Ability to work in a complex environment and to lead and work with a multi-cultural team.
F. Computer literate in MS Office, internet, email.
G. Strong communications and analytical abilities.
H. Willingness to travel in the region for workshop or for learning related
Foreign Language Required: Command of English is required.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults
from abuse and exploitation.
Interested and qualified applicants should send their application including a cover letter with phone
number and email address, Curriculum Vitae, copies of relevant diplomas/certificates and the contact
details of three (3) professional references (one of which must be the current or last employer) to: The
Country Representative, Catholic Relief Services,16th Street (sea side), Gardiner Avenue, Sinkor, Monrovia,
in a single document through email: LR_HR@global.crs.org. Note: Hard copies of application with
relevant documents can also be submitted in a sealed envelope to CRS Liberia’s Office as mentioned
above.