REACH Programmes Operations Manager

About Acted

“We go the last mile. Founded in Afghanistan, against the backdrop of a forgotten crisis, Acted’s mission is to save lives and support people in meeting their needs in hard-to-reach areas. Millions of vulnerable people around the world need humanitarian assistance today, and hundreds of millions will need it tomorrow, in the face of the growing threat of climate change. We believe that our assistance must be conceptualized and delivered within the framework of people’s natural environments, and the territories on which they depend. Therefore, Acted pursues a triple mandate as a humanitarian, environmental and development aid actor, contributing to the relief, stabilization, and recovery of crisis-affected people in fragile areas. This vision is guided by the motto “Think Local – Act Global” - reflecting the need to rely on a deep understanding of local territories and contexts to develop and implement actions based on local knowledge, structures and capacities. This local thinking contributes to a global response - running through all Acted programming and operations - as we work together towards the building of a 3ZERO world: a world with Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty”.

Greening strategy:

Acted’s greening strategy aims to tackle environmental degradation and climate change while meeting the needs of the most vulnerable who are often those most affected by the deepening environmental crisis. Each Acted employee will adhere to these principles through key green programming responsibilities:

• Contribute towards the adherence and development of the greening strategy plan.

• Explore innovative green programming opportunities and/or solutions within your realm of responsibilities and roles

• Encouraging and promoting environmental safeguarding processes and environmental programming standards in accordance with SOPs and technical guideline notes

Acted PSEAH Policy:

The REACH Programmes Operations Manager has the responsibility to adhere to the PSEAH Policy (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment). REACH Programmes Operations Manager has the obligation to complete all mandatory training courses related to the Code of Conduct and the PSEA policy and report any safeguarding concern such as breaches of organizational policies or codes of conduct according to Acted’s procedures. REACH Programmes Operations Manager carries out work duties in a way that does not harm children, vulnerable adults or other staff or volunteers.

Location: Damascus

Job Purpose

The REACH Programmes Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation of data collection activities via both REACH staff/ enumerators and partner organizations. Under the management of the Country Representative, the Program Operations Manager oversees field team operations across Syria, including 6 Senior Field Officers, 20 Data collection supervisors and an Enumerator pool of around 200 individuals. The Program Operations Manager creates and maintains an operational setup that allows the programmes team to achieve program excellence and ensure the highest level of impact and accountability, while also complying to IMPACT’s guidelines and standards. As part of the REACH Senior Management Team, she/he contributes to the development and implementation of mission strategy, in addition to promoting organizational vision, and cores values across the mission. The Operations Manager represents REACH to relevant external stakeholders, including HAC Offices, Ministries, UN Agencies and the INGOs. He/she will be based in Damacus, Syria.

Under the Country Representative (CR), the Programmes Operations Manager will be responsible for:

Objectives

• Effective coordination and oversight of all field activities.
• Ensuring data quality and streamlining field processes in line with programmatic goals.
• Cultivating a safe environment for staff where they feel comfortable to report any misconduct.
• Adapting coverage plans and assessment methodologies at the field level to fit operational/contextual shifts on the ground.
• In collaboration with Coordination and program colleagues, contribute to the strategic direction of REACH in Syria.

Duties and Responsibilities

MANAGEMENT

The Programmes Operations Manager oversees direct management six Senior Field Officer, as well as indirect management of 20 Data Collection Supervisors and up to 200 enumerators. The Programmes Operations Manager also oversees the relationships with local partner organizations who are also responsible for data collection in their assigned geographic areas. The Programmes Operations Manager ensures that data collection standards, protocols, and procedures applicable to REACH are applied and maintained within and among data collection and partner activities. The incumbent will be expected to travel to bases (HSK, RQA, ILB, APO) for training and management workshops with Senior Field Officers, and to the field to observe data collection.

As part of the role, the Programmes Operations Manager will be responsible for managing the relationship with REACH’s data collection partners, with support from the REACH Logistics Assistant.

REPRESENTATION

The Programmes Operations Manager represents REACH during all interactions with partners involved in the various data collection initiatives facilitated by REACH for coordination structures in relevant areas of operations. Pending on needs of REACH, the Programmes Operations Manager may also engage with donors, OCHA/ UN, NGO Forums, and other humanitarian response partners. The Programmes Operations Manager is a member of the REACH Senior Management Team, and he/she is therefore a representative of REACH across the mission and organization.

LOGISTICS

The Programmes Operations Manager is in charge of developing and implementing coverage strategies in target areas. They also support the operations support unit with procurement of any assets needed for data collection as well as with asset transport/storage, organization, distribution, and collection of said assets upon completion of activities. Furthermore, the Programmes Operations Manager will ensure feedback from programs staff is incorporated into the field team structure, as well as that the structure and activities can adjust to shifts in the context and needs of humanitarian partners.

ADMINISTRATION / HUMAN RESOURCES

The Programmes Operations Manager is responsible for maintaining awareness of and supporting management of finances related to partnership data collection activities, which in turn is carried out by REACH Operations Support team. The Programmes Operations Manager also ensures planning and management of human resources, adequate staffing, identification of capacity gaps as well as seeking new partnerships to fill said gaps.

SECURITY

The Programmes Operations Manager, with support from the Country Coordinator and collaboration with Acted Security, is responsible for coordinating security management and maintaining awareness of the security situation on the ground in target areas, as it relates to staff safety and access. The Programmes Operations Manager monitors the political, economic, and social environment in the area, assesses and analyses the risks, and monitors and reports to the head of operations whether the situation is appropriate for undertaking data collection activities, in what form, and any forecasted or definite impacts on coverage in case of a deterioration in the security situation, onset of natural disaster, etc.

Additionally, the Programmes Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the safety of REACH assets. The Programmes Operations Manager proactively flags to the Country Coordinator any loss of access.

Key Performance Indicators

• 95% of data collection completed on time in both bases
• Data collected in the assigned region meets program standards of data quality
• Timely coordination across the mission: Operations, Program, PD, and Coordination
• Majority of staffing gaps filled within 2 months of occurring
• Immediate reporting of any security or SEA incidents among staff or beneficiaries

QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in any discipline or a related field;
• Fluent English and Arabic (written and spoken);
• Excellent communication and representative skills (written, oral, cross-cultural)
• Ability to multitask and deal with stressful situations
• Minimum 8 years of working experience in the humanitarian or a related sector.
• At least 3 years in research coordination and partnership management (years as enumerator are not considered)
• At least 4 years as a manager in any role line managing minimum team of 3 or more staff
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel;
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills**.**

Preferred

• Experience in geographical region Past experience in the region/supporting is desirable;
• Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting and reviewing;
• Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility and work independently;
• Security environment Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.
• Soft skills: Team player, fast learner, critical thinker.
• Skills in data visualization tools (PowerBI or similar).
• Knowledge of the Adobe Suite, especially InDesign.
• External engagement Experience or strong interest in external coordination and partner engagement.
• Understanding of the humanitarian context in Syria.

How to apply

1-Interested and qualified applicants should apply by filling out the application form through this link:

https://forms.office.com/e/BGsEmS45Wc

2-You must submit your CV with your name on it on the following link:

https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/3V6UyAws

Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

By applying for this position, you certify that all the details of your current application, are true to the best of your background and knowledge. You accept the legal mentions of www.acted.org and authorize the automated processing of your personal data by ACTED for recruitment, HR management and administrative compliance control purposes, in accordance with European regulations for the protection of personal data.(http://www.acted.org/)

ACTED is committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in the framework of its programs in Syria. The successful candidate will be required to adhere to ACTED Code of conduct and ACTED Global Policies, especially regarding the protection of children and the protection against sexual exploitation and abuse. A rigorous reference and background checks will be undertaken, and information will be requested from previous employers about any disciplinary action of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

ACTED is committed to gender equity and to have a balanced and diverse workforce. ACTED strongly encourages qualified women, persons with disabilities, and persons from under-represented groups to apply for the position.

ACTED offers a variety of arrangements that enable women to excel in their careers, including flexible working hours for work-life balance, maternity leave, and career coaching.

ACTED never uses external recruitment agencies and recruitment is always free of charge.

The necessity of ensuring the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with proper attention to promoting diversity, is the most important concern in the recruitment and employment of staff at ACTED.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided.

ACTED reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.