Program Manager – Formula 21 Pitstop (National Position)

The African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making NGO with Country Program Offices in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Tanzania, and Uganda. AIRD’s objective is to offer operational technical support, including but not limited to: supply chain, logistics and infrastructure in partnership with relief and development organizations that focus on disaster-affected, poverty-infested and development oriented areas. AIRD delivers for and through partners including but not limited to UN Agencies, international and national donor organizations and governments.

In a bid to diversify its sources of revenue to fund its humanitarian activities, AIRD has established a subsidiary company, Formula 21 Pitstop and has secured agreement with Toyota Uganda to establish an Authorised Service Centre (workshop/garage) in Mbarara.

AIRD now seeks to recruit a qualified and motivated Program Manager

Overall responsibility / Job summary

The Program Manager Formula 21 Pitstop is responsible for overseeing and ensuring delivery on the development and execution of project deliverables, lead project planning, budgeting, action plans and monitoring processes and strengthening systems and processes for effective management.

Key Responsibilities

1. General Management

• Develop and/or implement AIRDs SOPs to achieve the signed contractual agreement with Toyota
• Deliver on specific project outcomes as listed below
• Attend, initiate and lead relevant project coordination meetings as required for AIRD and develop partnership with the actors and forums relevant to the project.

Key responsibilities

Identify, Recruit and oversee training of appropriate staff to be deployed prior to the start of the programme

• In discussion with Toyota, identify the key required staff and appropriate technical levels of qualification
• In discussion with AIRD Uganda programme and DOO, identify potential staff from within AIRD who could be deployed to the business.
• In discussion with Toyota, assess the capacity of existing staff who could deliver, and present to Toyota for appraisal and subsequent training.
• In the absence of sufficiently skilled staff, lead the process of identifying external candidates who could deliver the required services with the requisite attitude, capacity and trustworthiness.

Procure tools and materials for the business

• Following SOPs, identify the best source of appropriate quality tools and other equipment required for the establishment of the business. This includes mechanical equipment, office equipment, IT systems where required, etc.
• Lead the process of acquisition in conjunction with the FAD of AIRD, and with others eg AIRD Uganda Country Programme staff for all procedural requirements.

Develop the ERP interface for managing the business

• Liaise with AIRD Uganda Programme to identify the current approaches required for managing the customers and the invoicing processes to guide internal approaches
• Identify and advise on the Toyota monthly reporting requirements
• Identify and advise on monthly reporting requirements for Formula 21 Board of Directors monthly reporting requirements
• Work with the Data Team consultants to develop the appropriate modules for Formula 21, including CRM, stock/spare parts management, fleet management, and other metrics.

Develop the Management mechanisms for the business

• Ensure monthly report templates and management systems are developed that achieve Toyota requirements and conditions
• Assist in formulating the composition of the board of directors for Formula 21 and assist with identifying the appropriate people
• Advise on the internal management requirements for AIRD to adopt the necessary capacity for management of the business alongside ongoing priorities with UNHCR and other funding streams.

Business Development

• Ensure there is a link to new business for client management, piloting processes, ensuring the maintenance facilities are working, all in line with the agreed business plan.

Visibility and branding

• Liaising with the Communications Manager, establish a clear path for all internal and external communications for selected and identified stakeholders. This will be tailored to customers to be targeted depending on F21 business capacity, and aligned with funding capacity to advertise etc.

Funding projections based on customer chain

• Working with AIRD Head Office finance department, and in conjunction with the business development deliverable, ensure that there is a clear understanding of funding projections for the future operation of the business with a plan in place for how to deliver.

Programming (Vocational Training)

• Coordinating project activities and carrying out specific research tasks required for planning the implementation of projects or programmes.
• Carrying out specific technical oversight in connection with knowledge management for the project/programme.

 Key skills and experiences

The Project Manager will demonstrate the following skills and experiences. Ideally, these should be evidenced through experience in Uganda.

• Significant Experience of managing complex projects
• Experience of managing construction projects on time, on budget
• Excellent personal time and self-management
• Excellent planning skills
• Experience of business development and customer facing roles
• Experience of external representation to major clients
• Experience of working with IT databases and ERP systems
• Excellent written and verbal communications
• Experience of branding and visibility
• Experience of managing a budget
• Experience of managing and leading people
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Experience of automotive business an advantage
• Experience in planning and implementing Vocational and Life Skills transfer (TVET); also knowledge of national TVET guidelines.

 Minimum Qualifications
A post graduate qualification in Business Management.  Bachelors in Development Studies, Program Management or related qualification Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a business environment with 2 years at supervisory level. Product and general automotive business knowledge with previously automotive trade experience. Qualified driver with competence in manual and automatic transmission.

Ability to travel to oversee and manage projects essential

How to apply

Applications clearly indicating ‘’Program Manager – Formula 21 Pitstop - ’’ in the subject line may be sent to hr@airdinternational.org latest 8^th July 2022