Operational Learning and Logistics Manager Democracy International

Job Description

Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire an Operational Learning and Logistics Manager for the anticipated five-year Leading Organizational Capacity and Localization Development (LOCAL) Activity in Zambia funded by USAID. The purpose of the LOCAL activity is to support the organizational capacity of current USAID/Zambia local implementing partners to manage, implement, and monitor programs that effectively and efficiently deliver sustainable quality development outcomes and impactfully influence local development agendas. This will be a full-time position based in Lusaka, Zambia and will be contingent on award and funding. This position is only open to citizens of Zambia. For more information, please read the Request for Proposals [link].

The Operational Learning and Logistics Manager will lead programmatic, operational, and administrative activities of the activity and will report to the Chief of Party. The Operational Learning and Logistics Manager will support the Chief of Party to develop a strong vision and implementation of the program with an evidence-based approach, integrating innovative strategies and delivering on all objectives of the project. They will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of operations staff, along with a subset of programmatic staff. They will also provide mentorship and training, as needed, for all national staff. The Operational Learning and Logistics Manager will be responsible for grants management, financial and programmatic reporting, procurement, budgeting and financial monitoring, oversight of political reporting and analysis, technical oversight of certain activities, monitoring and evaluation, and responding to funder requests as needed. They will manage a comprehensive learning effort across the components and plan and coordinate all event logistics, in support of the COP and Capacity Strengthening Advisor. They will lead the Annual Learning and Networking Conference design and execution and Capacity Strengthening Learning content across deliverables. The successful candidate must be a development professional with significant international program management experience, preferably in Zambia or other countries with similar settings.

Essential Job Duties:

The position’s responsibilities will include:

• Ensure effective field coordination;
• Provide guidance and coordinate support to the programmatic teams and sub-grantees, including identifying and promoting clear communications on issues of programmatic and budget management activities, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and documentation;
• Supervise a team of finance, grants, operations and administrative professionals; provide capacity building and mentoring when necessary, and ensure effective implementation of administrative and financial procedures compliant with DI and USAID policies;
• Oversee financial tracking systems and coordinate and monitor project budgets to ensure all expenditures are in compliance with DI and donor regulations and within the scope of the program’s long-term budget;
• Ensure that timely cash flow analyses and projections are provided and accurate for internal management purposes and to the donor, as needed;
• Review and oversee administrative, procurement, and financial management procedures and recommend improvements as needed;
• Oversee staff capacity-building across the program and provide evaluation and workforce management to ensure their continued growth;
• Develop regular reports and ongoing activity monitoring consistent with the requirements of DI’s contract with USAID and with internal reporting requirements;
• Provide technical advice and support to build capacity of local organizations on specific activities;
• Work in collaboration with internal project teams supporting good governance and civic engagement in Zambia; and
• Serve as a secondary liaison for finance and administration with USAID and serve in an acting capacity in the absence of the COP.

Secondary Job Duties:

• Contribute to ongoing Democracy International business development efforts, in Zambia and around the world.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience of 9 years;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID compliance and reporting requirements as well as a thorough understanding of the USAID regulatory environment;
• Significant relevant experience in project management and supervising staff, preferably as an operations manager for projects in developing and/or transition countries;
• Substantial experience working on democracy support, civil society, media or other topics relevant to democratic development;
• Experience and technical expertise working on capacity building and local governance, Particularly in an International development context, Strongly Preferred:
• Demonstrated skills in planning, conflict management, and budgeting;
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) required.

This position is open only to Zambian citizens.

Reporting:

• This position reports to the Chief of Party.